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This is my Day of Mourning
Following a workplace tragedy, many families would say that every day is a day of mourning. It’s especially true in the early days following a fatality, but the aftermath of a serious injury or an occupational illness, too, are filled with grief at the loss of life, of expectations, of hopes, of an imagined future.
Volunteering – Empathy in Action
Empathy is defined as the ability to understand how people feel, see things from their point of view and imagine yourself in their position. While empathy isn’t officially one of Threads of Life’s core values, it certainly is an integral part of what drives the organization, and what motivates many of our volunteers and supporters.
One big Steps for Life family
Jim and Pam have a big family – six children. As Pam explains, they chose that together, imagining the games, the meals, the graduations, the weddings, the grandkids. Jim was the type of dad who would send loving text messages to his daughters.
FamiliesConnect: Ways our Loved Ones Stay Connected
The FamiliesConnect Workshop Series continues to grow as more families sign in each month. The flexibility of an online session is unparalleled -- especially as a newcomer to Threads of Life. Choose to engage as little or much as you like, camera on or off, type in...
Helping you help families through Steps for Life fundraising
Fundraising for Steps for Life has definitely evolved over the years, from door-to-door asks to phone calls, to posting our personal fundraising page links on social media. What’s constant is your passion for supporting families of workplace tragedy, and ability to move with the trends.
Biographical disruption: When a chronic illness diagnosis changes you forever
by Kasey Boehmer, Ph.D., M.P.H., NBC-HWC, Reprinted with permission from Mayo Clinic Press Heidi’s main fear was just realized; the doctor has informed her that — without a doubt — she has rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Gone is the hope that this wasn’t a serious disease,...
What it means to value health and safety on the farm
I was helping my husband hook the square baler up to the tractor. I needed to get around on the other side to remove a block from the jack stand. We were in a hurry – you’re often in a hurry on a farm – the forecast was calling for rain later in the day and we had hay to bale and load into the barn before it got soaked and spoiled.
Volunteer Profile: Elaine Mailman
In Stellarton, Nova Scotia, on January 14, 1952, John Mailman died in a coal mine gas explosion. His son was only 18 months old. The community rallied around his widow, providing support in any way they could, but Elaine Mailman wishes that an organization like Threads of Life had been available to support her grandmother at the time. Elaine says, “There would have been a disconnect on the emotional level of how to support her … she would have benefited from an organization like this. I’ll be dedicated to an organization like this, because she was amazing, and I don’t know what my life would have been like had my dad’s life been different, had his dad still been there”.
A Cascade of Gratitude
If the last two years have taught me anything it is how fortunate I’ve been. I live in what is arguably the best country in the world. I’ve been blessed with a loving family and friends who support and energize me. As the Director, Fundraising & Partnerships at Threads of Life I’m grateful to be able to contribute to our mission, helping families who are living in the aftermath of workplace tragedy to heal, and promoting the elimination of life-altering workplace injuries, illnesses and deaths.
Ready, set….GO REGISTER!
Steps for Life walks are all open for registration! Threads of Life is taking every step to ensure a safe event is hosted across the country. Not only will you be able to choose where and how you walk, but we are also aiming to have a “paperless” walk event on walk day.
“I knew in my heart that something was wrong”
It is a huge understatement to say that the grief journey is difficult and hard to travel. What we hope for those affected by workplace tragedy is that they find a support network of family and friends, find ways to honour their loss and to learn to trust in their resiliency. Loss changes us and grief doesn’t ever leave us entirely. However love doesn’t end either. Love will always remain.
In the blink of an eye
Nicky was our cherished son, our only child. He was a very special blessing. You see, it took some time before I was able to have a child; then, later in my pregnancy I developed toxemia and needed to be hospitalized. The concern was that Nicky might be born premature due to the toxicity, resulting in the possibility of his lungs not being fully developed (among other concerns). After 30 days of being hospitalized, in the early morning hours of May 24, 1990 I hemorrhaged and an emergency C-section needed to be performed. Thankfully, we both survived the trauma. Nicholas Joseph Micieli was born healthy, lungs fully developed. I knew he was a very special gift right from the start.
