Part One: Create A Short Story Involving The Following Categ

Part Onecreate A Short Story Involving The Following Categories Use Y

Create a short story involving the following categories. Use your knowledge of the impact of the type of loss/relationship to deceased and developmental stage and describe examples of the understanding of the death, reactions to the loss, developmental concerns, and three interventions.

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Short Story: The Loss of a Mother to Cancer During Adolescence

Emma was a 15-year-old girl living in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, navigating the turbulent waters of adolescence. Her mother, Lisa, had been battling cancer for the past year. Despite her illness, Lisa remained hopeful and strong, but ultimately, the disease took her life when Emma was 16. The death of her mother was a profound loss that threatened to destabilize Emma’s emotional and developmental growth.

Emma’s understanding of her mother’s death evolved over time. In the initial weeks, she believed her mother would recover, clinging to hope and praying earnestly, consistent with her Christian faith. As the reality settled, Emma began to comprehend that her mother’s death was final, which struck her with deep sadness and confusion. Her reactions ranged from crying and withdrawal to moments of anger and guilt, typical developmental reactions for adolescents processing grief (Worden, 1992).

From a developmental perspective, Emma was struggling with concerns about her identity and future independence. She was worried about how her life would change and whether she would lose her sense of security. Her spiritual belief as a Christian provided her with comfort, as she found solace in prayer and community support, yet she also grappled with feelings of abandonment and questions about mortality.

Three key interventions supported Emma through her grief process:

1. Grief counseling and support groups: Engaging with peers experiencing similar losses helped Emma realize she was not alone and provided a safe space to express her feelings.

2. Family therapy: Facilitating open communication within her family allowed Emma to share her fears and memories of her mother, fostering healing.

3. Creative expression activities: Encouraging Emma to write letters, create art, or participate in memorial projects helped her process her grief and maintain a connection to her mother’s memory.

This story exemplifies the complex reactions of an adolescent grieving the loss of a parent to cancer, emphasizing the importance of age-appropriate interventions and spiritual support in facilitating adjustment (Bonanno et al., 2002).

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Part Two: Short Script Explaining the Type of Death and Person Lost

Script: Explaining the Loss of a Mother to Cancer During Adolescence

[Scene: A counselor’s office, with a teenager sitting across from the counselor]

Counselor: “Hi Emma, I’d like to talk a little about your mother’s passing. Do you feel comfortable sharing what kind of illness your mom had?”

Emma: “She had cancer. It was really hard watching her get sicker over the past year.”

Counselor: “That must have been very difficult. It’s common to feel a lot of different emotions when someone you love is battling cancer. How did you understand her illness growing up?”

Emma: “At first, I thought she was going to get better. My faith helped me believe that, and I prayed a lot. But when she died, I realized it was final, and I felt so sad and confused.”

Counselor: “That’s an understandable reaction. The loss of a mother is one of the most significant losses a person can experience, especially during adolescence when you're trying to figure out who you are. Remember, it’s okay to feel upset or angry. Your faith can be a source of comfort, but sometimes, talking about your feelings helps too.”

Emma: “Yeah, I’ve been going to support groups. They helped me realize I’m not alone.”

Counselor: “That’s very helpful. Remember, grief is a process, and with time and support, it gets easier to carry those memories forward.”

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Part Three: Resource List for Grieving the Loss of a Parent to Cancer in Adolescents

Children’s Books

  1. "The Invisible String" by Patrice Karst – A comforting story about connection and love that persists beyond physical presence, ideal for helping children understand the enduring bond with a lost parent.
  2. "Badger's Parting Gift" by Susan Varley – A gentle story about remembering loved ones and coping with grief through memory and shared stories.
  3. "I Miss You: A First Look at Death" by Pat Thomas – An age-appropriate explanation of death for children and adolescents, addressing common questions and feelings.

Local Resources (Elizabeth City, NC)

  1. Harvey Adult & Family Medicine—Support Group for Grieving Families – Provides local support groups for adolescents dealing with death and grief, fostering community and shared healing.
  2. Elizabeth City State University Counseling Center – Offers mental health services tailored to youth and adolescents experiencing grief and loss.
  3. First United Methodist Church of Elizabeth City – Hosts grief counseling and spiritual support services, integrating faith with healing processes.

National Resources

  1. The Dougy Center – The National Center for Grieving Children & Families – Provides resources, support groups, and training for grieving children and adolescents nationwide.
  2. American Cancer Society: Support for Families Facing Cancer Loss – Offers detailed guides, emotional support, and local connections for families dealing with cancer-related deaths.
  3. KidsHealth from Nemours – A comprehensive website offering articles, coping strategies, and resource links tailored for grieving youth and their families.

References

  • Bonanno, G. A., Wortman, C. B., Lehman, D., Tweed, R. G., & Santa Maria, M. (2002). Resilience to loss and chronic grief: A prospective study from adolescence to young adulthood. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 83(5), 1150–1164.
  • Worden, J. W. (1992). Grief Counseling and Grief Therapy: A Handbook for the Mental Health Practitioner. Springer Publishing Company.
  • Shenk, C. E., & Foltz, C. J. (2010). Developmental considerations in grief. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 19(3), 451–463.
  • Hare-Mustin, R. T., & Marecek, J. (1990). Spiritually based interventions in grief counseling. Journal of Counseling & Development, 68(3), 259–264.
  • Neimeyer, R. A. (2001). Meaning reconstruction & the experience of loss. American Psychological Association.
  • Stuart, H., & Arendt, A. (2014). Support for grieving adolescents: A review. Pediatric Annals, 43(7), e177–e182.
  • Appearance, C. (2018). Understanding adolescent grief. National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov
  • National Cancer Institute. (2023). Coping with Cancer & Grief. https://www.cancer.gov
  • KidsHealth. (2020). Dealing with grief and loss. https://kidshealth.org
  • American Psychological Association. (2021). Handling grief during adolescence. https://www.apa.org

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