Join Us

Walking In Honor of the Children Gone Too Soon

To My Friends and Family, As you know this is that time 

of year for The MISS Foundation Walk On Bereaved 

Parents Day 5/19/2013..

I Will be walking again this year in Honor of My 

Daughter Dawn Marie...You Donation is Greatly 

Appreciated and again Thank You...ANY AMOUNT WILL 

BE VERY APPRECIATED...$1,$5 $20 OR ??? Please help 

me help this wonderful organization as we Walk for all 

The Children Gone Too Soon

Click Below to Donate and Thank You Very Much

  http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/michaelsansone/missfoundationkindnesswalkandsafetyfair

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page!

And Honoring Dawn Marie
  The MISS Foundation is hosting its Third Annual Kindness Walk and Safety Fair on Bereaved Parent’s Day
May 19,2013. 
  
 I will be Walking in Honor of Dawn Marie Sansone and All The Children Gone Too Soon

 Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support my fundraising efforts.
 Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!
The MISS Foundation, an Arizona-based international non-profit organization with a staff of dedicated volunteers, comes to the aid of thousands of families who have experienced the heartbreak of child death.  Our outreach in the community includes support groups for adults and children, crisis intervention, one-on-one counseling services, retreats and a network of ancillary groups that work together to provide assistance to parents, siblings and grandparents.
_______________________________________


Michael Sansone
HOPE Mentor / Facilitator
MISS Foundation  /  Phoenix, AZ

 I am the Father of 5 children, Ages: (In Heaven Dawn 35), Kristen-32, Nicole-30, Michael Jr.-29, and Michelene- 21.

After the loss of my daughter Dawn in 2001 to a hit and run driver, I was fortunate to learn about the MISS Foundation which has helped reshape my life. I am hoping that this tragic event in my life and the things I have learned along the way have suited me to help other parents cope with this unthinkable loss we share.
I am a mentor and Facilitator with this wonderful organization I have been fortunate to be part of since 2003

Email Michael  micheal.sansone@missfoundation.org

Donate

The Do's and Don'ts of Grief Support

Do ask, "How are you REALLY doing?"

Do remember that you can't take away their pain, but you can share it and help them feel less alone.

Do let your genuine concern and care show.

Do call the child by name.

Do treat the couple equally. Fathers need as much support as mothers.

Do be available...to listen, to run errands, to drive or whatever else seems needed at the time.

Do say you are sorry about what happened to their child and about their pain.

Do accept their moods whatever they may be, you are not there to judge. Be sensitive to shifting moods.

Do allow them to talk about the child that has died as much and as often as they want.

Do talk about the special, endearing qualities of the child.

Do reassure the parents that they did everything they could, that the care the child received was the best possible.

Do put on your calendar the birth and death date of the child and remember the family the following year(s).

Do the same for Mother's Day, Father's Day, the parent's birthdays and each holiday, make an effort to let the parents know you remember their child.

Do extend invitations to them. But understand if they decline or change their minds at the last minute. Above all continue to call and visit.

Do send a personal note or letter or make a contribution to a charity that is meaningful to the family.

Do get literature about the disease and grief process to help you understand.

Don'ts

Don't be afraid to ask about the deceased child and to share memories.

Don't think that the age of the child determines its value and impact.

Don't be afraid to touch, it can often be more comforting than words.

Don't avoid them because you feel helpless or uncomfortable, or don't know what to say.

Don't change the subject when they mention their child.

Don't push the parents through the grieving process, it takes a long time to heal and they never forget.

Don't encourage the use of drugs or alcohol.

Don't ask them how they feel if you aren't willing to listen.

Don't say you know how they feel.

Don't tell them what they should feel or do.

Don't try to find something positive in the child's death.

Don't say that they can always have another child.

Don't suggest that they should be grateful for their other children.

Don't suggest that had their baby lived, s/he probably would've had a lot of medical issues that would've made life hard.

Don't think that death puts a ban on laughter. There is much enjoyment in the memory of the time they had together.

Don't call it a miscarriage if the baby was born alive and later passed away.

Avoid the following cliches:

"Be brave, don't cry."

"Everything happens for a reason."

"It was meant to be."

"It was God's will" or "it was a blessing."

"Get on with your life. This isn't the end of the world."

"God needed another flower in his garden."

"God needed another Angel."

"At least it wasn't older."

"You must be strong for the other children."

"You're doing so well."

"You're young, you'll get over it."

"Time will heal."

"Maybe you should adopt."