Stories of Hope

Threads of Life provides an emotional safety net for people walking a tightrope of grief, anxiety and frustration following a fatality, serious injury or diagnosis of an occupational disease. Programs like our family forums and volunteer family guides are life-savers. Those who have experienced a workplace tragedy share their stories as a way of building safer workplaces, and letting others know they’re not alone.

“Gradually, the light snuck back in.”

“Gradually, the light snuck back in.”

Heather Dahmer’s husband Jim was exposed to asbestos throughout his career: as a plumber, steamfitter and maintenance supervisor. He was diagnosed with mesothelioma, an incurable cancer, and died in 2011. After her years as Jim’s partner and caregiver, Heather was...

read more
“He is always with me.”

“He is always with me.”

Six days into his job as an ironworker at a Northwest Territories diamond mine, 27-year-old Greg Wheeler’s work platform collapsed and he fell to the ground. He died instantly. At 20, Newfoundlander Greg Wheeler had found his calling as an ironworker. But seven years...

read more
“It wasn’t even his fault.”

“It wasn’t even his fault.”

Every July 16, Elizabeth Stewart takes flowers to the grave of her daughter Terri-Lynn. “That was the day she was killed.” In summer 1993, Terri-Lynn was hit by a van while working as a flagger on road construction sites. When told what happened, says Elizabeth, “I...

read more
“Always in my heart …”

“Always in my heart …”

“Blaine rolled his pump truck and it doesn’t look good,” said the voice on the phone. The next call confirmed Wendy-Ellen Nittel’s worst fears: her son Blaine had died at the scene. Wendy-Ellen now wears Blaine’s high school graduation ring to keep him close. It’s...

read more
Threads of Life members share their story at your event or workplace through the Speakers Bureau.
Share