4Real Forums: Death Notification Seminar

Oh, Dearest Mother, Sweetest Virgin of Altagracia, our Patroness. You are our Advocate and to you we recommend our needs. You are our Teacher and like disciples we come to learn from the example of your holy life. You are our Mother, and like children, we come to offer you all of the love of our hearts. Receive, dearest Mother, our offerings and listen attentively to our supplications. Amen.

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Topic: Death Notification Seminar

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Cindy Mac
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Joined: April 21 2005
Location: Florida
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Posts: 576

Posted: Oct 03 2005 at 9:50am \| IP Logged

I was wondering if I could ask you ladies for some prayers. I am going to be speaking at a death notification seminar this afternoon (1:30 ET), to first responders, EMS, ER personnel, clergy, etc. on being the recipient of a sudden death notification.

Quick background: I was hit by a drunk driver when I was 19 - it will be 15 years ago on December 27th of this year. My 3 year old twin brother and sister were in the backseat. My sister Kellie was seriously injured while my brother Brian was killed instantly. I somehow sustained no injuried despite our car being literally split in half.

Normally I speak at Victim Impact Panels for the county I live in - where people who have been convicted of driving under the influence are required to come and listen to victims speak about how the actions of another person have affected their lives. I'll be asking for prayers before I speak at the next one of those

However, I am in need of some support/prayers for today. I really want to get across to these very important people how to communicate with someone at a time that is so incredibly difficult. If you could pray for me that I have the strength and find the right words to express to these men and women so that they can help other familes, I would appreciate it.

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Cindy - wife to Chris, mommy to my 4 sons!

Kellys Klassroom Korner
St. Anne's Academy

kristina
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Joined: Feb 24 2005
Location: New Hampshire
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 524

Posted: Oct 03 2005 at 11:26am \| IP Logged

Dear Cindy,

Our family will pray for you.
Sharing this sort of information with responders is a true ministry. How they convey information to loved ones of victims is quite sensitive. How courageous of you!

Blessings,
kristina

Marybeth
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Joined: May 02 2005
Location: Illinois
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Posts: 1277

Posted: Oct 03 2005 at 11:48am \| IP Logged

Cindy,

You will be in our thoughts and prayers. You are very brave and selfless....the world will learn through your example.

God bless,

Marybeth

Cindy Mac
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Joined: April 21 2005
Location: Florida
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 576

Posted: Oct 05 2005 at 8:37am \| IP Logged

Just a quick follow-up. The seminar went really well. It was attended by about 35-40 officers/chaplains, first responders from around the Northern Virginia area. I spoke from my heart, and I could feel all of the prayers and strength everyone was sending my way. The officer I was sitting next to spoke with me after we broke, and told me that this was the first time he had ever heard of a death notification seminar being offered in his 20 years of being an officer. He felt that it was important to be there and find out "how" to talk to the family members of those who lose a loved one. He told me that typically you are just shoved out there and told to notify people, no training whatsoever. He felt that this was a wonderful training for a topic that wasn't pleasant to deal with. Many of the other officers were relating stories of how they had "messed up" in the past, and how they would change how they do things in the future. The officer who sat next to me is going to be heading up the new station that is being built in my area, and he said he has the opportunity to set policy, and this is what he is going to focus on with his people.

All in all, a rewarding experience. Thanks for your prayers.

__________________
Cindy - wife to Chris, mommy to my 4 sons!

Kellys Klassroom Korner
St. Anne's Academy

guitarnan
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Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Maryland
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 10883

Posted: Oct 05 2005 at 8:44am \| IP Logged

Cindy,

That's really great. As a military spouse, I've sent my husband off to war zones and always wondered what I'd do if that uniformed officer headed toward my door. I also know (from experience) that what you've been told is true; there isn't much good training given to the casualty notification officer. Thanks for being part of this new effort; it's definitely needed. You are very courageous.

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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.

cathhomeschool
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Texas Bluebonnets

Joined: Jan 26 2005
Location: Texas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 7303

Posted: Oct 06 2005 at 12:48pm \| IP Logged

Cindy,
I'm so glad that it went well. I hadn't seen your prayer request until yesterday, and prayed that it had gone alright. What a blessing you are being to many, many people!

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Janette (4 boys - 22, 21, 15, 14)

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