Motherland the Film - A Tribute to Those Coping with Grief

Motherland the Film is an amazing look at six women's journey of healing following the loss of a child by reaching out to help others half a world away.

Film-maker and director Jennifer Steinman documents a 17-day trip to South Africa of six grieving women from different parts of the United States to visit what Stephen Lewis, UN envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, refers to as "an entire continent in mourning."

As noted in the Movie's home page,

Unexpectedly and eight thousand miles from home, each finds comfort and healing in a landscape that appears, at first, to offer little more than melancholy.

You can also listen to an interview with director Jennifer Steinman about the making of the film:



This film really speaks to the healing power of volunteerism and also of the benefits of grieving in a community.

Awards for the Film
"Motherland" was the winner of the 2009 Emerging Visions Audience Award at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Festival. Its other awards include the Jury Prize for Best Feature at the 2009 Sebastopol Documentary Film Festival and Best Documentary at the 2009 California Independent Film Festival.

Opening Online - August 26, 2009
You can watch Motherland the Film when it premieres online August 26, 2009 on Gigantic Digital for the amazingly low price of $2.99 for a three day access pass. Visit Gigantic Digital to find out more about accessing this inspirational film.

More Resources for Coping with the Sudden Death of a Child

I wrote several articles for Suite 101 on coping with the death of a child or coping with the sudden death of a child as part of my response to the Travolta-Preston Family Tragedy.

• Coping with the Sudden Death of a Child: John Travolta’s Son’s Unexpected Death is a Reminder of Tragic Loss
• How to Cope with the Death of a Child: John Travolta’s Son’s Death is a Reminder of Other Children’s Deaths

Navigating the Grief Journey is another article I have written on coping with a death or with a sudden loss.

• Navigating the Grief Journey: How to Find Your Way During Challenging Times

Suite 101 Articles Featured on Compassionate Friends

The Compassionate Friends featured the article that I wrote for Suite101.com "Coping with the sudden death of a child" on their Grief in the News Page.

Deepest Sympathies to John Travolta and Kelly Preston on the Loss of their son, Jett

The loss of a child at any age is for many parents the most difficult type of loss. Add to that a sudden loss, or a death that the parent is helping to prevent and you have the recipe for a sudden, traumatic death.

The death of John Travolta and Kelly Preston's son Jett is one of those deaths. It occurred while the family was on a vacation. It was a sudden, unanticipated death, apparently the result of a seizure. It was also a death that according to reports, John Travolta worked to prevent, providing CPR to his son with the help of an EMT.

How does one Cope with the Loss of a Child?
Coping with the loss of a child is never easy, coping with the sudden loss of a child can make the grieving process more difficult and prolonged.

Organizations like the Compassionate Friends have been helping families cope with the loss of a child at any age and from any cause since 1968.

In this video from the Compassionate Friends, family members who have experienced this loss firsthand share thoughts and insights of the grief journey, how the child’s death has affected their lives, and how finding support from The Compassionate Friends has helped them to survive.



Mission of the Compassionate Friends:
The mission of The Compassionate Friends is to assist families toward the positive resolution of grief following the death of a child of any age and to provide information to help others be supportive

Brochures Available from the Compassionate Friends:

• When a Child Dies . . . The Compassionate Friends Can Help
• The Sudden Death of a Child
• The Death of An Adult Child
• Death of a Special-Needs Child

Sources:

Streit. V. January 2, 2009. Actors’ son Jett Travolta dies at 16. CNN.com

Lucas L, Lauinger J, Goldsmith S. January 4, 2009. John Travolta, EMT struggled to save 16-year-old Jett. NY Daily News.