Miss-Delectable
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http://www.keloland.com/NewsDetail2817.cfm?Id=0,47128
It's been two months since family and friends of Darlene VanderGiesen first came together to look for the missing women. Saturday night her family and members of the deaf community came together again, this time to look for ways to deal with the loss.
It's a loss many parents hope they'll never live to experience. The death of a child is unexpected and especially challenging.
"They didn't get an opportunity to say goodbye to her in comparison to someone who has an illness."
Mona Wade is a licensed therapist in Sioux Falls. Tonight she tried to bring some comfort to the VanderGiesen family and friends in the deaf community as they go through this grieving process.
Wade says, "I think it feels safer for them to do this in their community where they spent time with Darlene so it feels like coming home to them."
Wade explained the range of emotions people feel when they lose a loved one. She says it's important to keep saying VanderGiesen's name and it is OK to feel how they're feeling.
"They need to keep talking about her and remembering how she was special in their lives. She was a very important part of this community and they are missing her greatly," she says.
Wade says wondering "what if" and feeling of guilt are expected. She says educating the deaf community on the grief process is important to her.
"It is a real privilege to be with this group of people tonight and just to be a partner with them on their journey."
Wade says many people may not have received the help they needed on their own.
Tonights event was sponsored by the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation and ATLAS of Sioux Falls.
Daphne Wright is charged with VanderGiesen's murder. She's due in court later this month.
It's been two months since family and friends of Darlene VanderGiesen first came together to look for the missing women. Saturday night her family and members of the deaf community came together again, this time to look for ways to deal with the loss.
It's a loss many parents hope they'll never live to experience. The death of a child is unexpected and especially challenging.
"They didn't get an opportunity to say goodbye to her in comparison to someone who has an illness."
Mona Wade is a licensed therapist in Sioux Falls. Tonight she tried to bring some comfort to the VanderGiesen family and friends in the deaf community as they go through this grieving process.
Wade says, "I think it feels safer for them to do this in their community where they spent time with Darlene so it feels like coming home to them."
Wade explained the range of emotions people feel when they lose a loved one. She says it's important to keep saying VanderGiesen's name and it is OK to feel how they're feeling.
"They need to keep talking about her and remembering how she was special in their lives. She was a very important part of this community and they are missing her greatly," she says.
Wade says wondering "what if" and feeling of guilt are expected. She says educating the deaf community on the grief process is important to her.
"It is a real privilege to be with this group of people tonight and just to be a partner with them on their journey."
Wade says many people may not have received the help they needed on their own.
Tonights event was sponsored by the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation and ATLAS of Sioux Falls.
Daphne Wright is charged with VanderGiesen's murder. She's due in court later this month.