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How I Coped When Mommy
Died
This inspiring video was created by 13-year-old
Brett Hardy Blake, after losing his mother to breast cancer
when he was 10. With mature insight and engaging humor,
Brett presents his story in a deeply moving but not maudlin
way. Outstanding original music, animated video sequences,
photographs and artwork illustrate the teenager's experiences,
thoughts, and feelings, while his narrative takes the viewer
on a personal journey through several years of his life.
Brett talks openly about his feelings, from
his fears during his mother's illness (she was first diagnosed
when he was only three) to his feeling of numbness after
her death. But he notes that "This film is not just
about my mother dying—it's about a life, a love, and
just going on and being helped." Most of all, it's
about how, with the right support, individuals can survive
and grow through the most tragic of circumstances.
Co-produced with Brett's adoptive mother,
Lori Hope, herself an Emmy-winning filmmaker, How I Coped
When Mommy Died is important viewing for anyone who has
had to deal with a loss—and for anyone caring for or
supporting someone who is grieving a death, divorce or other
personal tragedy. It will be especially valuable for older
children and teens, but the filmmakers recommend that adults
discuss the content with young people before watching.
Resources
With
Eyes Open (KQED's program about caregiving, grief, difficult
decisions and what may lie beyond death.)
www.AmandaThePanda.org
(support groups and camps for grieving children, college
students and adults)
www.aacap.org
(American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry)
www.adec.org
(Association for Death Education and Counseling)
www.barrharris.org
(Barr-Harris Children's Grief Center)
www.bereavementmag.com
(Bereavement: A Magazine of Hope and Healing)
www.centering.org
(Centering Corporation - a publisher of books, tapes and
videos about death for children and adults)
www.dougy.org
(The Dougy Center - the first grieving children's center
established in the U.S.)
www.goodgriefgroups.com
(Good Grief Groups - provide training for teacher, administrators,
group leaders, parents and published a workbook to help
those who are grieving.)
www.growthhouse.org
(the leading on-line communty for end-of-life care)
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