In-home family and individual counseling and emotional support
Living with and caring for a child diagnosed with a life-threatening illness
isn't easy. The child, as well as each member of his/her family, may experience
a range of emotions including shock and disbelief at the diagnosis, denial,
anger (why me or why my child), fear and helplessness. They may also experience
resentment, feelings of guilt or even grief during the child's illness. Often
times familiar relationships become strained. Parents may not agree on the
course of treatment for their child. Siblings may come to resent the time and
attention their sick sibling is receiving and begin to act out. Extended family
members may question the parents' decisions regarding medical care for their
child or the care they are providing to the other children. In addition, family
members may experience different emotions at different times. No two family
members will feel exactly the same or grieve in the same way at the same time.
These differences can fragment a family that is already struggling with enormous
emotional and physical stress and strain.
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