The Irish Motor Neuron Disease Association (IMNDA ) has launched a bereavement programme for those that have lost loved ones to motor neuron disease (MND ).
The programme was set up in response to a survey done last year that showed 74% of people affected received no bereavement support. Many of those surveyed said they felt it was not the right time or that they did not realize it was an option for them.
The course is titled "Living with Loss-information and support for those bereaved by someone with MND" and is for people who have sadly lost a family member to the illness. The goal is to offer emotional support to those affected.
The programme will be delivered monthly by Bryan Nolan, a specialist who has worked in bereavement and end-of-life care for several years. These sessions also allow those attending to meet with others in a similar position who are also grieving the loss of someone with MND.
Director of Services and Nursing, Naomi Fitzgibbon said "We believe this new programme will be of huge help to people who have lost a loved one to MND, whether it is a recent loss or if it has been several years. Grief is different for everyone, and this programme is designed to offer support and coping techniques in a gentle way to anybody who has lost someone to MND – you can interact and ask questions, or you can observe and listen to some tips on coping mechanisms.
We were shocked to discover that almost three quarters of people living with the loss of a loved one to MND did not avail of bereavement support, when there are options out there and it is something that can really help in the long run.”
The programme will be online held through Zoom today, "(Thursday )" from 3:30-5pm, and further courses will be held in October, November and December.
