Grief is the natural and normal response to loss. It is the day-to-day experiencing of the loss. That includes your feelings, your thoughts and how you get through the day/night.

How has your loved one’s brain injury changed you? Families face many, many changes following a brain injury. The changes can be significant and dramatic.

A severe brain injury is one of the most devastating events that a family can experience. Losses are multi-layered and complex. Changes in your family member can be profound enough to be grieved like a death. Additional losses may include loss of relationship(s), financial stability, changes family roles, and many more.

Feelings of sadness, frustration and loss are common. Most likely, you know firsthand just how complex and multi-layered the losses are after a severe brain injury. It’s okay to grieve those losses. You are allowed to grieve even if others keep reminding you that you should feel grateful to be alive. Just as each brain injury is unique and personal, so too is grief. Honor your own way of grieving.

The storm is here. Every family member must put on his/her life jacket and get into the lifeboat together. You will experience waves of emotion, challenging behaviors, uncertainty and losses.

Positivity in grief embraces the idea that two things can be true at the same time. It does not deny the one’s reality. Unhelpful (toxic) positivity values the appearance of normalcy over authentic experiences and emotions. It denies one’s reality.