SUDC

The article is about another parent with a child that died of SUDC:

Two of Schruben’s six children died at young ages due to medical complications. At 4 years old, his son Tucker passed away in his sleep. A few years later, Schruben's daughter, Alana, died from complications due to seizures.

“Life involves suffering sometimes,” Schruben said. “But you just have to go on.”

The quote resonates with me quite a bit

September is National Self-Care Awareness Month, a perfect time to focus on nurturing your mental, emotional, and physical health.

Self-care isn’t selfish—it’s essential! Here are some practical tips to help you prioritize your well-being:

💧 Drink Water First Thing in the Morning: Hydrate your body to kickstart your day with energy.

✍️ Write Down 5 Things You’re Grateful For Every Day: Gratitude shifts your mindset and keeps you grounded.

🗒 Make a Menu for the Week: Plan nourishing meals that fuel your body and reduce the stress of last-minute decisions.

🏃‍♀️ Move for at Least 30 Minutes a Day: Whether it’s a walk, yoga, or dancing, keep your body active!

🎶 Listen to Good Music: Boost your mood with your favorite songs and let the rhythm lift your spirits.

💪 Exercise Regularly: Strengthen both your body and mind by incorporating regular physical activity into your routine.

📚 Read a Book: Escape into a story or learn something new—reading can be a great form of self-care.

🌟 Try Something New: Step out of your comfort zone and experience something different—it can be refreshing and fun!

🍽 Have a Family Dinner: Connect with loved ones over a meal. Shared moments with family nourish the soul.

Remember, self-care is about finding balance and creating habits that make you feel your best. Let’s make this month the start of a long-term commitment to YOU! 💛 Save for Later!

Lift Me Up Tuesday 💛

How are you feeling today? It’s important to take a moment and check in with yourself and those around you. Whether you’re feeling “Not Good” or “Amazing!”, your feelings are valid, and it’s okay to share them.

Today, let’s make it a point to check in on our friends and loved ones. A simple “How are you?” can make a world of difference.

Remember, you’re never alone on this journey. Reach out, connect, and lift each other up. 💛

Grieving the loss of a loved one can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Our Peer Connection Program pairs grieving families with volunteers who have walked a similar path, offering support through shared experiences. This program complements professional counseling by providing a compassionate peer friend to listen, share, and understand.

If you or someone you know could benefit from this, request a peer friend today and connect with someone who truly understands. 💛

https://sudc.org/peer-connections-program/

On #InternationalLiteracyDay, let’s broaden the conversation to include grief literacy. Just as we learn to read and write, we can also learn to understand and support those going through grief. Being grief-literate means recognizing that grief is a personal journey for everyone, offering empathy, and knowing when to listen rather than trying to fix things.

Let’s build a more compassionate, understanding world—one where we are not only literate in books, but also in the emotions that connect us all. 💛 https://sudc.org/grief-resources/

Today is Grandparents Day, and we want to honor and recognize the incredible strength of those within our SUDC Community. Your love, resilience, and enduring presence are a testament to the powerful bond you shared. Today, we stand with you and acknowledge your strength. 💛

Today is your day.

Small, simple acts of self-care can make a big difference. Whether it’s a short walk, a cup of tea, or just a few moments of deep breathing, take time today to nurture your body and mind. 🌿

Naming your emotions is the first step towards healing. Whether it’s sadness, anger, or numbness, acknowledging what you feel can bring clarity and relief.

How are you feeling today? 💭

Our Sibling Card is a valuable resource for children who have experienced the loss of a sibling.

This card can be shared with the child’s medical community or pediatrician, providing essential information about SUDC and the family’s experience. It helps explain the situation without requiring you to share specific details if you’re not ready to do so. This ensures that your child receives the understanding and support they need during this difficult time.

Download the sibling card here : https://sudc.org/literature-brochures/

#ThoughtfulTuesday: The journey through grief is often complex and deeply personal. Understanding the 🔟 Stages of Grief can provide valuable insight into your own healing process:

1. Ugly - The raw, intense emotions that may feel overwhelming.

2. Raw - The vulnerability and openness to experiencing pain.

3. Numb - A period of emotional detachment or disbelief.

4. Searching - The quest for meaning and understanding in the midst of loss.

5. Redefining Values - Reevaluating what truly matters to you.

6. Rebuilding Self - The process of reconstructing your identity.

7. Reintegrating - Gradually returning to daily life with new perspectives.

8. Restoring Purpose - Finding new meaning and direction as you move forward.

9. Open to HOPE - Embracing the possibility of healing and renewal.

10. The Rest of Your Life - Learning to live with your loss while continuing your journey.

Each stage is a crucial part of the healing process, guiding you through the pain and toward restoration.

👉Which stage resonates with you the most right now?

On this #LiftMeUpTuesday, let’s reflect on a powerful thought: 'I have decided that the only way to live is to embrace grief. For grief only exists where love lived first.'

💖 Grief is a testament to the deep love we have experienced. It reminds us that our hearts have been touched profoundly and that we have loved deeply. Embracing this truth allows us to honor those feelings and find strength in them.

Share this message with someone who may need a reminder today that their grief is a reflection of their immense capacity to love.

Here at The Sudden Death in Childhood Foundation, we're committed to advancing research in three impactful ways:

🔬 FUND: We provide crucial financial support to drive groundbreaking studies.

📜 ENDORSE: We advocate for and promote research initiatives that can make a difference.

🔍 IDENTIFY: We identify key areas for research focus to uncover answers and save lives.

Together, we're making strides in understanding and preventing childhood tragedies.

The new school year can be tough for families affected by SUDC. Anxiety and memories can be overwhelming, but we’re here to help. In this blog, we cover key tips:

🌟 Open Communication: Talk openly about feelings.

🌟 Establish Routines: Create a daily schedule.

🌟 Visit the School: Familiarize your child with the environment.

🌟 Plan for Triggers: Develop coping strategies.

For a more in-depth discussion on these tips and access to the full toolkit, read our blog. Together, we can support grieving siblings.

➡ https://sudc.org/navigating-back-to-school-anxiety-preparing-for-potential-triggers/

For many of us, this yearly reminder is just the motivation we need to finally sit down and create a last will and testament. 📑 💲 This is also an excellent opportunity to consider leaving a bequest to the SUDC Foundation too.

These gifts have a significant impact on our family service programs and research initiatives, without putting any financial stress on you during your lifetime.

📨 To learn more please contact Elizabeth Milliken, Director of Development at [email protected].

August = Grief Awareness Month. All month long, We are going to showcase an understanding of it and how to help navigate it.

Grief touches everyone slightly different, and overall it’s a deeply personal journey.

Here are 4 key facts about grief:

1. Grief is a natural response to loss, affecting everyone differently.

2. Grief is not one size fits all: there are different types, each requiring unique support.

3. The grieving process is not linear; it takes time and varies for each person.

4. Support systems are crucial for healing.Our organization is here to support you.

If you or someone you know is struggling with grief, reach out.

Remember, you are not alone. 💙

Discover insights from bereaved parents navigating the profound grief of Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC) this Bereaved Parents Awareness Month. Hear firsthand accounts on managing grief day by day and essential self-care practices. Learn how you can support grieving parents with compassion and understanding during their darkest times.

📚 Read more about their journey and find resources for support here: https://sudc.org/finding-light-in-the-darkness-supporting-bereaved-parents/

🌟 The SUDC Foundation Sibling Card is an essential resource for children who have lost a sibling. It helps them communicate their feelings non-verbally, making interactions easier with teachers, camp counselors, coaches, pediatricians, and doctors. This simple tool ensures understanding and support in difficult moments.

Download yours for free today at https://sudc.org/literature-brochures/

https://sudc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Sibling-Cards_12.11v2.pdf

July is National Bereaved Parents Awareness Month—a time to recognize and support parents who have endured the heartbreaking loss of a child. This month holds profound importance as it brings attention to their unique grief journey and the need for compassion and understanding.

The SUDC Foundation is dedicated to supporting families affected by Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC). Through raising awareness, providing vital resources, and funding critical research, we strive to bring hope and healing to bereaved parents.

💙 Join us this July in honoring these families. Let’s raise our voices, share their stories, and ensure they never feel alone.

This Father's Day, we acknowledge the unique journey of all fathers who have lost a child. Take time to cherish the memories and know that you are not alone. We stand with you, offering support and solidarity. 💛

Word of the Day: Vilomah

Did you know? The term "Vilomah" means "against a natural order" and is used to describe a parent who has lost a child. It highlights the profound grief and unnatural pain of outliving one's own child.

Let's spread awareness and support all grieving parents. 💔

Supporting someone is not about fixing them, it's about loving them through their journey of healing and growth.

Losing a child is everyone’s worst nightmare. It’s not the way things are supposed to happen; so how do you support someone you love through something you’re uncomfortable even thinking about?

Here are 5 tips for supporting a grieving parent:

• Accept their unique experience. Everyone's grief journey is different, so acknowledging their individual process is crucial.
• Avoid blame and guilt. Healing doesn't come from dwelling on what could have been done differently.
• Embrace their way of finding meaning. Let them navigate their own path to making sense of the loss, whether through religion, memorials, or awareness efforts.
• Keep their child's memory alive. Share stories, photos, and memories to honor their child's legacy, even beyond the first year.
• Be realistic with support. Understand there's no "getting over" child loss; it's about being there for them and helping them accept their reality.

Grief is a natural response to loss, flooding the brain with stress hormones and reshaping thoughts and feelings. It's okay to feel foggy or emotional; it's part of the brain's adaptation process.

In the aftermath of traumatic loss, finding stability amidst the turmoil of emotions is crucial for healing. Simple routines like waking up at the same time each day or having a nutritious breakfast; taking a short walk may seem mundane, but its impact is profound.

Research has shown that routine offers more than just a sense of normalcy—it provides structure, predictability, and control in a time when everything feels chaotic and uncertain. From a neurobiological perspective, adhering to routine helps regulate emotions and reduce stress. Engaging in familiar activities at specific times stabilizes neural pathways associated with emotional regulation, offering a sense of order amidst the chaos of grief.

Physically, routine plays a vital role in promoting overall well-being, especially for those who have experienced a traumatic loss. For example, engaging in regular exercise, even a short walk, can release endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers and mood elevators. This simple yet impactful activity can offer a brief respite from the overwhelming emotions associated with grief and provide a much-needed boost in mood. Establishing a consistent sleep schedule becomes crucial in managing the physical toll of grief. By prioritizing a regular bedtime and wake-up time, individuals can improve sleep quality, enhance mood, and bolster cognitive function.

But how do we incorporate routine into our lives amidst the chaos of loss? This is where SMART goals come into play. SMART goals provide a structured framework for setting and achieving objectives, making them particularly useful for building and maintaining routines and self-care plans.

Let’s say your goal is to incorporate mindfulness meditation into your daily routine to help manage stress and improve emotional well-being. Using the SMART framework, you could set a goal like this:

• Specific: I will practice mindfulness meditation for 10 minutes each morning before starting my day.
• Measurable: I will track my progress by recording the number of days per week I complete my meditation practice.
• Achievable: I will start with a 5-minute meditation and gradually increase to 10 minutes as I become more comfortable.
• Relevant: Mindfulness meditation aligns with my goal of reducing stress and improving emotional well-being.
• Time-Bound-: I will commit to practicing mindfulness meditation every morning for the next 30 days.

Incorporating SMART goals into your routine allows you to track your progress, stay motivated, and maintain momentum towards your objectives. Over time, you’ll find that these small, consistent actions add up to significant improvements in your overall well-being.

In addition to routine and SMART goals, another tool that can help individuals set routines in their lives after trauma and loss is the concept of habit stacking. Habit stacking involves linking new habits to existing ones, making it easier to incorporate them into your daily routine. For example, if you already have a habit of brushing your teeth before bed, you could stack a new habit like journaling or reading a book onto this existing routine. Other examples of habit stacking include doing a short meditation after your morning coffee, or practicing gratitude while you prepare dinner.

By combining routine, SMART goals, and habit stacking, individuals can create a supportive framework for healing and recovery in the aftermath of traumatic loss. Through small, consistent actions and intentional efforts, individuals can find solace amidst grief and gradually rebuild their lives with resilience and strength.

As you embark on this journey of rebuilding, remember to give yourself permission to start small and to slowly build routines over time. Healing is not a linear process, and it’s okay to take things one step at a time. Be gentle with yourself and give yourself grace as you relearn to live life in the aftermath of loss. Each small step forward is a victory, and with time and patience, you will find your way towards healing and wholeness once again.

Do you know a passionate young individual aged 12 and above?

We're on the lookout for Junior Ambassadors to join our volunteer team and help raise awareness for our cause.

If you or someone you know is interested in earning volunteer hours and making a difference, reach out to [email protected] today and be a part of something truly impactful!