Surviving Child Loss One Turn at a Time | Michelle Colpean | Part 2

How do we do ourselves a disservice by oversimplifying grief and limiting what we consider to be "appropriate" responses and "acceptable" expressions of it? Instead of saying, "let me know what I can do to help," how can we answer our own question by using our empathy and creativity to show up for the people we love in the depths of grief? What does it do for us to see moments of pain and suffering as an opportunity for connection rather than disconnection?...Dr. Michelle Colpean is a communication professor at the University of Cincinnati. She received her Bachelor's in Psychology and Master's in Communication Studies from Ball State University and her Ph.D. in Communication Studies (Rhetoric) from the University of Iowa. She is the mother of Sami, who passed away suddenly on January 12, 2021, at 8 months old, and Salma, who is about to turn 1 year old. Michelle uses her background in communication to help her survive the grief of losing her son and continues to write and present on the topic of grief, among other things. Michelle also makes Personalized Car Charms which she sells on Etsy, to support others in remembering the people they love that they have lost.Today, Abbie and Michelle discuss Mary Todd Lincoln; the stigma, taboos, and silence that exists around child loss; and the generational shift in understanding and expressing grief around child loss. Michelle shares what support that was offered to her felt helpful and what support did not feel helpful, pointing out that we need to be careful of "recentering" ourselves (the ones offering support) rather than keeping the focus on the person who is grieving and their loss. Abbie and Michelle explore the tendency of people to disengage when faced with something big and intimidating, and why those are the moments when it is more important than ever to lean in and find ways to engage. Michelle shares her thoughts on the communal experiences of both joy and sadness, the need for authenticity with boundaries, and learning to live in survival mode by taking life one turn at a time. Finally, Abbie and Michelle talk about the new story that they hope to be a part of around child loss, for ourselves, and for future generations. ...Stories Lived. Stories Told. is created, produced & hosted by Abbie VanMeter.Stories Lived. Stories Told. is an initiative of the CMM Institute for Personal and Social Evolution....Music for Stories Lived. Stories Told. is created by Rik Spann. Find Rik on ⁠YouTube⁠....Follow Michelle on InstagramCheck out Michelle's Etsy ShopRead more about SamiEmail me! [email protected] me on InstagramSubscribe on YouTubeCheck out my websiteLearn more about the CMM Institute.Learn more about CMM.Learn more about Cosmopolis 2045.Learn more about CosmoKidz.Follow the CosmoTeenz Fellows' work on Instagram.