Navigating Grief During the Holidays: Coping Strategies for Thanksgiving and Christmas

Hello, Jhana’s supporters! It’s your disability advocate and writer, Jhana. I hope you’re all doing well. I am back with another blog. I’m almost getting the hang of writing them and posting them regularly, but it is still challenging to manage my time because procrastination is kicking my butt, to be honest. Thank you again for all of your patience!  

It’s that time of year again  — Thanksgiving and Christmas are around the corner. Today is Thanksgiving, and Christmas is 3 ½ weeks away. So, I want to talk about grieving during the holidays in today’s blog.

Understanding the Impact of Grief During the Holidays

The holiday season can be particularly challenging for those experiencing grief. The absence of loved ones during the holidays can cause immense sadness every year when holidays roll around. That’s why I want everyone to know that grieving during the holiday season is not only perfectly normal but also a shared experience that many of us go through.

Many people feel pressure to continue experiencing joy and happiness despite the holiday season. Those pressures can lead to isolation. It’s essential not to ignore your feelings while allowing yourself to grieve. You need to understand that you are not alone.

Creating New Traditions to Honor Loved Ones

I remember going to my Uncle R.J.’s house every Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve. We would spend the holidays with our family and their friends. My cousin was born on Christmas Eve, so we spent the holidays with them every year. After that, we would drive down south to Ka’u and spend Christmas and New Years with my Aunty Colleen and Uncle Randy.

But when I left my grandma Nan’s house after graduating high school, the family traditions with me stopped. Then, when the family’s anchor, Nan, passed away, the family traditions stopped completely.

But you have to remember that you can start new traditions in memory of a loved one who passed. This can include lighting a candle in their memory, sharing stories of them with friends or other loved ones, or even preparing their favorite dish. All these rituals can help keep their memory alive so you can remember their impact on your life. 

Practical Coping Strategies for Holiday Gatherings

When attending gatherings during the holidays, having a plan for managing your emotions can be helpful. Consider setting boundaries, such as taking breaks when things get overwhelming. It is essential to communicate with family so they know how to help you with the grieving process. You also have to consider your feelings and give yourself time to process them. Taking deep breaths can help you cope, and stepping outside for fresh air can do wonders during those moments that feel unmanageable. 

Finding Support: Connecting with Others Who Understand

Getting support from other grieving individuals can be beneficial. You should also consider talking to your friend, a loved one, or even a counselor so they can help you deal with your feelings. You can even attend support groups that help you grieve.

Sharing your feelings with those who truly understand can give you comfort. These connections can help reduce feelings of isolation and remind you that it’s okay to grieve and seek help during tough times.

Embracing Self-Care During the Festive Season

Self-care is not a luxury; it’s a necessity, especially when dealing with grief. If these emotions arise, you should do something helpful to ease the sadness. For example, you can try prioritizing activities you enjoy or doing something relaxing, from reading and walking to practicing mindfulness and meditation. Giving yourself time to recharge can be beneficial since it helps you cope with your emotions.

It’s okay to say no to events that may feel overwhelming. Taking care of your mental health and well-being should be your top priority before everything else.

Image VIA Unsplash

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

What does Premature Mean? Advocating for Change to Maternal and Infant Health

Hello, Jhana’s Supporters! It’s your disability advocate and writer, Jhana. I hope you’re all doing well. I am back with another blog article, hoping to publish more regularly. I haven’t decided how often I will do my YouTube videos for Jhana’s Writing Journey, so I will post them randomly for now. Please stay tuned for updates! Now, let's get into today’s blog.

I want to talk about being premature, what it means, and how it affects me. 

Understanding Premature Birth: Advocating for Change in Maternal and Infant Health

A full-term pregnancy typically lasts about 40 weeks. Being born premature means you are born before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Premature birth is categorized into three groups:

• Extreme preterm (less than 28 weeks)

• Very preterm (28 to 32 weeks)

• Moderate to late preterm (32 to 37 weeks)

According to the CDC, about 1 in 10 infants in the United States is born prematurely, with 380,000 premature births annually. These babies often spent quite some time in the NICU.

Understanding the effects of prematurity on the individual is crucial for raising awareness. It’s part of advocating for people who are born premature. Those born prematurely will experience complications, including respiratory issues, developmental delays, and long-term disabilities.

The Impact of Premature Birth on Infant Health and Development

The impact of premature birth on an infant’s health can be long-lasting. Premature infants often face challenges such as undeveloped organs, difficulties in feeding, and increased susceptibility to infections. This can lead to more hospital stays and medical problems.

The consequences of premature birth can be limited to childhood but also carry through to adulthood. Studies show that preterm children may experience cognitive and behavioral issues, affecting their educational achievements and social interactions. Understanding this allows people to highlight the urgent need for prevention and support strategies.

Maternal Factors Contributing to Premature Birth: A Call for Awareness

Many factors can contribute to the risk of premature birth, including the mother’s age, health conditions, and lifestyle choices. Women younger than 17 or older than 35, as well as those with chronic health issues, such as diabetes or hypertension, are at a higher risk. Additionally, mothers struggling with substance abuse issues or those without enough prenatal care are also more likely to give birth prematurely. 

Raising awareness is crucial because these are serious problems, and spreading awareness will help people understand what families with premature children go through. Moreover, educating other women about the importance of prenatal care and healthy lifestyle choices can help reduce the risk of prematurity and promote healthy pregnancies, improving newborn outcomes. 

Advocacy and Policy Changes Needed for Maternal and Infant Health

To address the issue of premature birth, it’s crucial to advocate for those who were born prematurely. We need policies that address social determinants of health, such as economic stability, education, and access to proper healthcare. By advocating for these changes, we can create a more supportive environment for mothers and infants and ultimately reduce the rates of premature birth.

Resources and Support for Families Facing Premature Birth

Families facing premature birth require additional support to navigate the upcoming challenges. Resources such as support groups, educational materials, and access to healthcare professionals specializing in neonatal care can be invaluable in these situations. 

Hospitals and healthcare providers can play a crucial role by offering families comprehensive care plans and emotional support during this stressful time. Such resources can help affected families cope and thrive in the face of premature birth.

The significance of Premature Awareness Month

November is Premature Awareness Month, and November 17th is World Prematurity Day. It’s a perfect time to highlight the challenges faced by families affected by preterm birth. 

Personal Stories: The Impact of Premature Birth

The best way to truly understand premature birth is to hear personal experiences from families that dealt with it. While these stories can be heart-wrenching, they’re also incredibly inspiring.

So, now I want to share my story with you.

My Story

I was born at 35 weeks gestation; this means I was born two months too early. I weighed just 2 pounds and 3 ounces. As a result of my premature birth, I was born with Spina Bifida, Encephalocele, and Hydrocephalus. 

After birth, I was put in the NICU for months. Since I was premature and with disabilities, I had problems growing up. These included difficulty with walking and learning. I also couldn’t attend PE classes. 

Despite the challenges I faced due to my premature birth, I am now 33 years old and thriving. My journey taught me the importance of advocacy, and I couldn’t be happier to be alive. Even though I was born a preemie, I will continue to push through all obstacles. I encourage you to do the same. Together, we can make a difference.

 

Image Via Unsplash

Real-Life Examples of Disability Discrimination

Hello, Jhana’s Supporters! It’s your disability advocate, Jhana. I hope you’re all doing well. I’m sorry for the lack of a blog article last week. I promise I will still try to publish regularly. I’m also trying to manage my time better, which is challenging with school and procrastination. Procrastination is actually the reason why I sometimes don’t publish on time. 

That said, I am still involved with my brand. I’ve redesigned my website and put up a new short story called “The Assault of Jamie Dawson.” You can read it on my website.

Today, I want to discuss disability discrimination, define it, and explain its legal framework. So, let's dive into today’s blog article.

Understanding Disability Discrimination: Definitions and Legal Framework

While all discrimination is an issue, those with disabilities experience it more frequently. It’s sad but true. Disability discrimination happens when people with disabilities are treated less than others because of their disability.

On July 26, 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law. That document prohibits discrimination in employment, public service, public accommodations, and telecommunications. Even though this law is in place to protect people with disabilities, discrimination still happens. Sure, these protections are there. However, there are many real-life instances exposing systemic biases and failures to accommodate individuals with disabilities. That’s why it’s vital to understand disability discrimination, recognize when it happens, and address these injustices.

Discrimination can be direct or indirect. Direct discrimination means treating people with disabilities unfairly and differently than “normal” people. It can go as far as refusing employment based on disability. Indirect discrimination means making the workplace inaccessible for people with disability. It affects not only the workplace but also things like handicapped parking places. Even though the discrimination law is in place, discrimination is still everywhere. So, we have to fight to change it.

Workplace Challenges: Discrimination in Hiring and Employment Practices

Although this has never happened to me, discrimination in the workplace is prevalent for people with disabilities. Some examples of disability discrimination in the workplace include failure to provide reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities, inaccessible work environments, or discriminatory hiring practices where qualified candidates with disabilities are overlooked. If you’re visually impaired, you might be denied a job simply because the hiring staff thinks you can’t use a computer without needing assistance.

Other challenges in the workplace include a lack of promotion opportunities and unequal pay for employees with disabilities. It’s also been reported that employees have faced harassment or retaliation after requesting necessary accommodations. 

Educational Barriers: Accessibility Issues in Schools and Universities

Sadly, students with disabilities also face barriers. These range from inaccessibility to insufficient support services, among others. Students using wheelchairs might study in inaccessible buildings or lack the necessary equipment.

People with learning disabilities might not receive appropriate accommodations as well. This has happened to me. I went to Ashford University (now called the University of Arizona Global Campus). They expected me to read the instructions and a ridiculous amount of material, which was a struggle for me. I have a learning disability, and the professors weren’t helping me. As a result, I was getting bad grades. Then, I dropped out after my uncle passed away. After a while, my new friend introduced me to Full Sail University. Now, I am in college to get my BFA in Creative Writing. It’s going great; I only had one instructor who used my disability against me. I also felt like I did not learn in that class, so I’m glad that one is over. 

It’s also worth noting that some educators and administrators don’t have the proper training to help people with learning disabilities. They don’t know how to help or address their concerns, which could lead to discrimination. For example, a professor might explain an assignment in a complicated way, causing some students to misunderstand what to do. In another example, the professor might refuse to provide lecture notes in advance. Instructors and teachers sometimes disregard the needs of other students, causing them to struggle. These educational barriers prevent them from achieving academic success and impact social inclusion and self-esteem. 

Public Accessibility and Social Exclusion: Navigating Daily

Disability discrimination exists in other areas of life, not just employment and education. There’s also inaccessible public transportation, buildings without ramps, and a lack of sign language interpreters. I even noticed that handicapped parking is not accessible for people with disabilities, which is insane (at least that’s how it is in Hawaii). These are examples that demonstrate how societal infrastructure often fails to cater to people with disabilities. 

Social exclusion also occurs in more subtle forms, such as the negative portrayal of individuals with disabilities in media or the lack of disability representation in political and leadership roles. 

Knowing how to take proper precautions to handle this issue is very important. These can include talking to the school, employers who will listen, and the governor of your area. It is also crucial to recognize the importance of inclusion and take proactive steps toward accommodating individuals with disabilities. It’s not just a legal imperative but a moral one. After all, no one’s disability should define them. 

Image Via Pexels