Dessie Fitzgerald to speak at ‘Living With Loss’ event
THE Irish Hospice Foundation will host its first ever regional ‘Living with Loss’ bereavement information event in Cork tonight ( Thursday) at the Clayton Hotel on Lapps Quay.
Guest speaker for the event, which will run from 6.30pm to 9.30pm, will be former Cork hurler Dessie Fitzgerald from Charleville who recently opened up on RTÉ’s Late late Show about losing two of his brothers and a devastating accident that left him confined to a wheelchair and in the depths of depression.
Dessie’s world was turned upside down in August 2001 when his brother Mike took his own life. Over the following 14-months, Dessie suffered a freak accident during a club match that left him confined to a wheelchair and his teenage brother James passed away after falling ill while working out at a gym.
During tonight’s event Dessie will share his very personal story of loss and tragedy, the impact that it had on him and the steps he has taken along the road to recovery.
The free information evening is open to people who have been bereaved through illness or sudden death or who may have lost a partner, parent child or sibling.
Professionals will also address attendees about a range of topics including dealing with grief and how people can support one another following the loss of a loved one and about how children grieve and how the adults in their lives can support them through the process.
Information will also be available about the range of grief support services available in Cork and people will also be given the opportunity to question speakers and representatives from a number voluntary bereavement support services and professional therapeutic services who will be present at the event.
For more information about tonight’s information evening visit www.hospicefoundation.ie