HELPING CHILDREN WITH GRIEF
Daniela Weber knows how crippling grief can be but through her own grief she had to find a way to explain to her young son why he was no longer going to be a big brother.
The poem she wrote to Cooper is the basis for the beautifully illustrated children’s book titled, My Sister Lives in Heaven Now.
Illustrated by Dilara Niriella, the book was launched at The Hills Women’s Shed in Baulkham Hills last Saturday. All proceeds will go to the Feel the Magic foundation which has been a huge support her son who is now eight.
“Cooper was excited about being a brother,” said Daniela “but I found out at my 20-week scan that something was wrong.”
The baby girl she was carrying was diagnosed with Dandy Walker Syndrome in 2017.
The condition caused her brain to stop developing at 17 weeks’ gestation although her body continued to develop.
“I found it extremely difficult to explain death and the process of grief to my son.”
It was then Daniela decided to write him a poem.
‘I used it as a tool to normalise the process and stages of grief in a way which he could understand and relate to.”
She said deciding to turn the poem into a book to help others has been “a bitter-sweet” journey.
“I am glad I did it because it has been really good for my own healing and it honours my daughter, Aura”
“Cooper loves the book.”
“He even built up the courage to read it out loud at the book launch. I was so proud of him. The book is actually dedicated to Cooper in loving memory of his baby sister Aura.“
Cooper has attended Feel the Magic Camps which has been very positive for him.
The launch raised $500 for Feel the Magic and sales from the book will with further fundraising. The cost is $19.99 which includes postage. To order email [email protected]
