Dr. Kim Harms: Resilience, Grief, and Building a Legacy Amidst Life’s Trials

Everything End of Life.

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Have you ever faced a series of unimaginable challenges and found yourself wondering how to move forward? Join us as we sit down with the extraordinary Dr. Kim Harms, whose life has been a testament to resilience and transformation. Born with missing fingers due to thalidomide, Dr. Kim Harms overcame incredible odds, only to face further heartbreak when her bipolar mother took her own life when Dr. Kim Harms was just 17. Despite these early hardships, she achieved her dream of becoming a dentist and found happiness in her marriage to Jim. However, her journey took another painful turn with the loss of her brother, her husband’s battle with liver cancer, and the tragic suicide of her son, Eric. Listen as she reflects on these profound experiences and the shifting societal attitudes toward mental health and suicide.
In the aftermath of her son’s death and the severe neck pain that ended her dental career, Dr. Kim Harms discovered a new calling as a grief counselor. Drawing on her personal experiences, she provides invaluable insights, emphasizing acceptance, processing grief, and finding a lasting place for loved ones. Her commitment to honoring her son’s memory led her to establish memorial libraries in Rwanda, helping others find solace through community and remembrance. Following her husband’s passing, Dr. Kim Harms continued her work with widows and authored devotionals and a thought-provoking book, "Are you ready? How to build a Legacy to die for." As a death doula, she offers practical advice on preparing for the end of life, ensuring a smoother transition for those left behind.
The episode also touches on the heartfelt initiative of creating a legacy through letters and memories, providing family members with a 'soft landing' after one's own passing. Dr. Kim Harms shares her touching journey to Rwanda, inspired by the resilience of genocide survivors, and her mission to support local libraries with children’s books. We discuss the importance of preparing for the end of life, maintaining a diverse identity in later years, and the impact of meaningful after-death communications. Tune in for an inspiring conversation with Dr. Kim Harms, full of life lessons on resilience, legacy, and the enduring power of community.

For those interested in what Palliative care looks like at home there is "The Last Kiss" (Not a Romance)
Available on Amazon now
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Last-Kiss-Romance-Carers-Stories/dp/1919635289/ref=sr_1_1?crid=13D6YWONKR5YH&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._59mNNFoc-rROuWZnAQfsG0l3iseuQuK_gx-VxO_fe6DLJR8M0Az039lJk_HxFcW2o2HMhIH3r3PuD7Dj-D6KTwIHDMl2Q51FGLK8UFYOBwbRmrLMbpYoqOL6I5ruLukF1vq7umXueIASDS2pO91JktkZriJDJzgLfPv1ft5UtkdQxs9isRDmzAYzc5MKKztINcNGBq-GRWKxgvc_OV5iKKvpw0I5d7ZQMWuvGZODlY.fqQgWV-yBiNB5186RxkkWvQYBoEsDbyq-Hai3rU1cwg&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+last+kiss+not+a+romance&qid=1713902566&s=books&sprefix=The+Last+kiss+n%2Cstripbooks%2C107&sr=1-1

Kapitler

1. Dr. Kim Harms: Resilience, Grief, and Building a Legacy Amidst Life’s Trials (00:00:00)

2. Surviving and Thriving After Loss (00:00:21)

3. Planning for Death and Legacy (00:13:11)

4. Legacy Love Letters (00:18:28)

5. Life Lessons on Legacy and Resilience (00:31:05)

6. Endearing Farewell and Hopeful Plans (00:36:58)