Grief is something that is difficult to go through alone, and this year has brought too much of it. Maya McNeary is no stranger to grief, as she recently lost her sister due to complications from cerebral palsy. While she was coping with her loss, she realized that she needed to have hope and help others. Because of this, she began reaching out to other women to create a support group for those dealing with grief.

About Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that impacts movement due to brain damage that occurs before birth or within the first two years of life. It is characterized by a lack of muscle control and impairment with the coordination of movements. Other symptoms include involuntary movements, stiff muscles, seizures, issues with speaking, delays in motor skill milestones, issues with walking, problems with eating, vision and hearing problems, intellectual disability, urinary incontinence, and abnormal perceptions of pain and touch. While the exact cause is not known in every case, medical professionals know that brain injury in the early stages of life plays a large role. This injury can be caused by a number of things, with examples like infections and traumatic head injury. To treat this condition, doctors will often prescribe various drugs. Surgery may also be utilized in treatment.

Grief + Hope

To help herself cope, Maya began writing about her pain every month and publishing it on her blog: Grief + Hope. It was through this process that she realized that she had to add hope to her sadness. In her words, “Grief is going nowhere.” She wanted to bring positivity and support into her own and other women’s lives while allowing them to deal with their grief on their own schedule.

To do so, she led a Zoom call with other women coping with loss, all of whom she had never met before. They focused on staying hopeful during the holidays, as this season can be a difficult time for many. The call was a safe space for participants to feel vulnerable and release their emotions. It’s okay to cry, yell, or feel frustrated.

The call brought these women together, and Maya says that she considers them her sisters. If you would like to reach out to Maya, you can email her at [email protected].

Find the source article here.