Surviving Sibling Loss of a Special Needs Sister and Surviving Changing Family Dynamics
Dr. Angela Dean talks with fellow sibling loss survivor, physician, Dr. Becky Von Handorf, about the loss of her sister to a rare genetic condition.
Dr. Von Handorf, a pediatric medical resident, discusses the loss of her sister, Aly, who had a rare genetic disorder, Sanfilippo Disorder. Becky shares about what her relationship was like growing up with a sister with a terminal illness, her grief, the influence on her career choice, family dynamics, and meaning and purpose.
Dr. Van Handorf shares her experience of disenfranchised grief and the challenges of navigating the loss of a sibling with special needs.
She describes the challenges of having her grief discounted due to her sister’s special needs.
The anticipation of her sister’s death was a heavy for Dr. Van Handorf. She felt like she was “just sitting there and just like waiting for her to go."
If you would like more information or to share your own sibling loss story, please contact Dr. Angela Dean at contact@thebrokenpack.com or go to our website, thebrokenpack.com.
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Thank you!
Angela M. Dean, PsyD, FT, GTMR
🐺Tony's Little Sister
Credits:
The Broken Pack: Stories of Sibling Loss is produced by Not Done Here Media.
IF TOMORROW STARTS WITHOUT ME
Written by Joe Mylward and Brian Dean
Performed by Fuji Sounds featuring Joe Mylward
Courtesy of Not Done Here Records
Licensed for use by The Broken Pack
Full song: https://fujisounds.music
