Losing My Son

Jan 2, 2010

"I came to a place where I could go on smiling and say, 'well praise the Lord anyway.' or I could be honest and say 'I have doubts and I'm afraid'" ~ Barb Borntrager.

This week's program features Barb, whose son, Jon, died from an overdose after years of struggling with a severe form of Tourette Syndrome. Parents who lose their children are often left feeling confused, isolated, helpless, and guilty. It is perhaps one of the most difficult ways we could ever have to say goodbye...

Connecting Points

by: David Brubaker

In 1989, my twin brother, Darrel, was first diagnosed with major depression and then briefly hospitalized. I remember feeling shocked but I also fully expected a complete recovery.

Unfortunately, that was not to be. Although Darrel bravely fought his depression and his wife Sheri was his unswerving ally, additional setbacks occurred and Darrel ultimately lost complete hope that life would ever be better. He took his own life in February of 1991...

Video

• Fierce Goodbye: Living in the Shadow of Suicide

Books

• A Mother Held Hostage -- Barbara Borntrager
• No Time to Say Goodbye: Surviving The Suicide Of A Loved One -- Carla Fine

Online

• Compassionate Friends is a non-profit organization for that supports families after the loss of a child. They also have local chapters with support groups.
• Bereaved Parents of the USA, another non-profit organization for the support of parents who have lost a child.
• The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Find information and search for local support groups.
• Suicide Awareness Voices of Education. Since 1979 SAVE has been working to prevent suicide through public awareness and education, reduce stigma and serve as a resource to those touched by suicide.

Live Resources

• 1-800-273-TALK. 24/7 Free and confidential hotline for those in crisis or considering suicide. Part of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). More information at www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
• Find a Licensed Counselor or Psychologist: www.therapists.psychologytoday.com.

Message of Hope

Third Way Media is jumping off in faith -- and back in history -- to radio programming. Over 60 years ago a program called The Mennonite Hour was broadcast across the U.S. For a time we redirected our energies into video and Internet outreach, and now we're back to radio.

In media work, we continually try to stay up with, if not ahead of, the new technologies that arise...

1. Write your comments about this week's program
2. Respond to the My Turn speaker
3. Tell your own story, or respond to the stories of others

Have you ever felt emotional pain so intense that you would do anything to make it go away? Next week we'll hear from Jodi, whose childhood was marked by abuse, a mother addicted to drugs, and a father who was never around. By age 14 she was addicted to cocaine and heroin. Tune in next week to hear her courageous story and a story from Frog Hollow.

Here's a way to preserve your greatest family heirlooms - memories.

Take a recorder, a video camera, or even a notebook, and record stories from members of your immediate or extended family. Ask lots of questions about the events that shaped their lives, the turning points and significant events, and the things they have done along the way. Keep adding to the tape or notebook for six months, a year, or even longer. Once it's finished, you can type out all the stories (if you used a recorder or camera) and make copies for the whole family. It could be something your entire family can enjoy.

Download a PDF of a study guide for use in small groups, at home with the family or in Sunday school classes.