Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/301854
93 HOW TO HANDLE THE 5 STAGES OF GRIEF AND KEEP THEM FROM DESTROYING YOU Chapter Nineteen WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU GOT THAT PHONE CALL, OR IF SOMEONE CLOSE TO YOU HEARD THESE WORDS . . . "YOUR CHILD HAS DIED?" THE 5 STAGES 1. DENIAL - Recognizing the stages of grief can help you by keeping you from believing you are alone or going crazy. There is no way to accelerate or sidestep the process of grieving; grief is a healing process your mind needs to go through. Verbal acknowl- edgement is the first step and the most difficult because you are admitting your child or loved one has died. 2. ANGER - Getting mad and blaming someone, even God, is a natural reaction to such a tragedy. When you have moved on to the next stage, however, you may have destroyed a relationship you once valued. Keep your anger in control by using a punching bag, screaming into a pillow, crying out loud for as long as you need, then turn your anger into a passion. If your loved one or child was killed by a drunk driver you may want to join a support group and work to lobby newer stricter laws. If your loved one died of a horrible disease you can volunteer for support in raising funds for a cure. There are countless ways to turn your Grief into a gift of giving back.