Surviving Sibling Loss of a Special Needs Sister and Surviving Changing Family Dynamics: Becky / Aly

The Broken Pack™: Stories of Adult Sibling Loss

Surviving Sibling Loss of a Special Needs Sister and Surviving Changing Family Dynamics

Dr. Angela Dean talks with fellow sibling loss survivor, physician, Dr. Becky Von Handorf, about the loss of her sister to a rare genetic condition.

Dr. Von Handorf, a pediatric medical resident, discusses the loss of her sister, Aly, who had a rare genetic disorder, Sanfilippo Disorder. Becky shares about what her relationship was like growing up with a sister with a terminal illness, her grief, the influence on her career choice, family dynamics, and meaning and purpose.

• Dr. Van Handorf shares her experience of disenfranchised grief and the challenges of navigating the loss of a sibling with special needs.
• She describes the challenges of having her grief discounted due to her sister’s special needs.
• The anticipation of her sister’s death was a heavy for Dr. Van Handorf. She felt like she was “just sitting there and just like waiting for her to go."

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If you would like more information or to share your own adult sibling loss story, please contact me, Dr. Angela Dean, at [e-mail] or go to our website, thebrokenpack.com.
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Thank you!
Angela M. Dean, PsyD, FT
Credits:
The Broken Pack™ Podcast is produced by 27 Elephants Media
"If Tomorrow Starts Without Me" © ℗ 2023, 2024
Written by Joe Mylward and Brian Dean
Performed by Fuji Sounds (feat. MYLWD.)
Licensed for use by The Broken Pack™
Now available on all streaming platforms including Apple Music & Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/3vx3kk46

Kapitler

1. Introduction (00:00:00)

2. About Aly (00:02:13)

3. Losing Aly (00:05:34)

4. Anticipating Grief As A Physician (00:09:21)

5. What She Would Have Done Differently (00:12:36)

6. Grief Support She Found (00:15:00)

7. Lack Of Resources for Sibling Loss Grief (00:16:59)

8. Changes In The Family Dynamic (00:19:00)

9. What She Misses The Most About Aly (00:22:08)

10. Favorite Memories of Aly (00:25:38)

11. Helping Others Understand Sibling Loss (00:27:54)

12. Where is The Broken Pack™ Going? (00:30:25)

13. Outro / Credits (00:32:47)