toll was overwhelming, and I could no longer see a place for myself in our practice. Sam refused to let me give up. He reminded me of my years doing peer support counselling and the value of lived experience. With the help of Sarah Pollard, another social worker in our practice, we realized that our collective experiences of loss equipped us to provide meaningful support to our clients. That awareness helped us shape our approach.” The team at This Thing Called Grief uses therapeutic approaches such as narrative therapy, mindfulness, and lived-experience perspectives to provide personalized guidance and resources to their clients. Childhood cancer is one of their specialties and is deeply personal to Sam and Kim. However, clients working through stress, anxiety, or complex family dynamics can also find support here
We All Experience This Thing Called Grief Grief touches everyone’s life. It comes in a myriad of circumstances: the death of a loved one, a friend moving away, the loss of a job, a major life transition. While experiencing grief is inevitable, knowing how to process that grief is not. This Thing Called Grief is a new counselling practice in Byron that helps people navigate the often-overwhelming journey of grief and loss. Sam and Kim Vander Schelde, the creators behind this practice, returned to university to become social workers and thanatologists so they could bring a unique and compassionate approach to counselling. Kim shares their story: “Seven years ago, our lives were at a crossroads. While others called us brave for going to school in our forties,
Kim and Sam Vander Schelde, Owners
we saw it as a necessary step toward healing and fulfilling our dreams. Our youngest daughter had been diagnosed with cancer at a young age. Hearing her name and the word ‘cancer’ in the same sentence shattered our world. Like many others, we had no idea what treatment looked like or how it would reshape our lives. For three years, the world outside our family stood still. Immersed in the world of childhood cancer, we witnessed unimaginable pain. Burnout was inevitable but not an option. You had to show up. Even in those darkest moments, we were humbled by the extraordinary kindness of our community and strangers alike. Their generosity sustained us and revealed the glaring lack of support for parents and caregivers. During those long, uncertain days, we talked endlessly about the future, what healing might look like, and how we could make a difference. Our first year on campus felt exhilarating. Each step toward completing our master’s degrees in social work and studies in thanatology brought us closer to our shared vision of supporting clients as they navigate their grief. Then, everything changed. I suffered a life-altering injury, forcing me to leave university. The emotional and physical
“Most of our practice involves supporting clients navigating all kinds of loss,” adds Kim. “Grief is universal regardless of where it stems from. Loss can look different for everyone, and we’re here to help clients process their experiences, no matter the source.” Free Fridays is another way Sam and Kim’s journey fuels their work. They offer 45-minute complementary sessions for families with children facing life-limiting illnesses and caregivers. This opportunity helps them move past financial barriers and resistance to seeking support by offering initial strategies and resources to start coping with their grief. Sam and Kim’s story is one of resilience, purpose, and unwavering hope. Their experiences navigating life-altering challenges help create a nurturing listening space where individuals can confront and explore their grief, build resilience, and feel supported. Contact This Thing Called Grief for a free 20-minute consultation to explore how they can help. For more information or to book an appointment, visit www.thisthingcalledgrief.com or email thisthingcalledgrief@gmail.com. Photo courtesy of This Thing Called Grief
Winter’s here. Don’t forget about the birds!
Located in Byron
Megan Pazos, RMT Holistic, client-centred approach to massage therapy (226) 376-2501 megan.pazosrmt@gmail.com www.unlockedrmt.noterro.com
Help the birds survive the cold by providing food when they need it most.
519-473-2820 155-1325 Riverbend Rd. www.birdersbirdsupply.com
Bird Seed | Suet | Bird Feeders | Bird Houses | Accessories | Giftware
To advertise here please contact Barb@villagerpublications.com
Jan/Feb 2025 Page 15
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs