MAVERICK GRIEF
IMPROVING MEDICAL COMMUNICATIONS, ELEVATING COMMUNITY RESPONSE AND REFRESHING MEDIA STANDARDS FOR CHILDREN WITH LIFE LIMITING CANCER AND GRIEVING PARENTS
DISCOVER SAM
Deeply loving son and brother. A remarkable optimist, Sam remains for eternity, a true humanitarian. His quick wit and sharp sense of humour made even the most challenging of days, so much lighter. He stayed true and utterly free! Sam was an insightful trailblazer and brought out the very best in others! He had compassion, empathy, and intelligence in abundance. His vibrant, joyful, adventurous spirit never failed to uplift all who had the once in a life chance to have met him. He remains remarkable, unforgettable, missed beyond measure and completely irreplaceable.
SAM DONOHOE HONOURED IN AUSTRALIAN PARLIAMENT
“NO PESSIMIST EVER DISCOVERED THE SECRET OF THE STARS, OR SAILED TO AN UNCHARTED LAND, OR OPENED A NEW DOORWAY FOR THE HUMAN SPIRIT.”
Helen Keller
DISCOVER JENNIFER
Widely travelled, Jennifers wanderlust is ever present – preferring more remote destinations and immersing herself into cultures. She is fuelled by her curiosity, love, respect for others and refreshing wonder for life. Jennifer has a rare warmth, respect, sincerity and perceptiveness which is evident in how she treats everyone she meets and how she conducts herself in her daily life.
Jennifer is a Grieving Mother, a Communications Specialist and Public Speaker (BBus. Comms) with extensive experience in International Tourism, Golf, Health, Arts, Yachting and Marine sector. Also, an Australian Registered Nurse, she has worked in all areas including emergency, operating theatres, acute and chronic health sectors, international medivac and remote area nursing.
Death of 12 year old Sam
In 2018, Jennifer and her family’s lives were shattered after the traumatic death of her 12 year old son Sam from a malignant and inoperable brain tumour. This was diagnosed when Sam was 9.
There is no experience which is more traumatic, life changing, disorientating or indescribably painful then the death of one’s child. None.
Despite this, Communities are ill equipped to deal with it and prefer to avoid the situation all together. As a result, this has a devastating impact on already traumatised and deeply suffering families.
Jennifer is working globally to shift the ingrained, counterproductive perspective of pity and isolation of children with life limiting cancers and grieving parents.
Jennifer addresses this Community impact head on. Her openness and encouragement ,decreases fears and refreshes current thinking, so affected families feel support, respect, empowerment and genuine connection of those around them.
This can be lifesaving, as the impact of avoidance, rigid ideas on grief and misunderstandings are utterly devastating. These children and families are already enduring more than is humanly possible to imagine.
Media and Communities underestimate the impact they have which unconsciously adds another devastating layer of trauma to families who are under 24/7 relentless pressure and pain.
