spark magazine
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nspirational, not only because it rose from a dark place deep inside another human, but
inspirational because it shows others
foundations of your life, it can also lead to rebuilding life with a change in perspective,” Dr Lavalle explains.
people begin being grateful for the ‘small things in life’ or look at their priorities and have redefined what they see as important in the wake of tragedy.
just what the human spirit is capable of and reminds us that this possibility
She says it’s common when thinking
lives in us all.
about grief, to think of the big
“When you grow from grief you may
moments of grief: death, tragedy,
discover the strength you never knew
As I write this I am in New Zealand,
a relationship breakdown that all
you had. It can help you to redefine
spending my days on Cardrona
result in the person feeling they’re
meaning in life and develop a sense
mountain with my two boys – skiing
trapped in a world of darkness. But
of knowing, that no matter what life
and snowboarding respectively.
she believes growth is possible but
throws at you, you will cope.
What we have witnessed this week
also stresses it doesn’t mean the grief
at Cardrona has been squad after
doesn’t hurt.
“Some people decide to take that first step in doing things they have
squad of Paralympic athletes skiing faster and more gnarly than us all.
“To make it clear, growing from
always wanted but were too worried
Each time I witness another of their
loss does not mean that there is an
about what other people would
amazing feats, I am awe-struck (and
endpoint to grief, or that suddenly,
think. When you think about it, what
completely humbled).
the pain has ended, and you are
else can you lose, you’ve already lost
blissfully happy.
that special person in your life, so this might be just the opportunity you
Grief expert and clinical psychologist, Dr Olga Lavalle says
“A person’s growth can occur while
need to take steps to really honour
this rising from the ashes to make
feeling pain from the loss of a loved
them,” she explains.
something wonderful from the
one or that special person who was
darkness is far more common than
in your life. When you face your pain,
One such person who literally
we think, and not just showcased on
there is also a chance for personal
changed his life in the face of grief is
the Olympic coverage.
growth to occur,” Dr Lavalle says.
former AFL footballer, Tom Allwright. Having had his AFL career with the
“As grief can make your world fall apart and break the
Dr Lavalle has seen personal growth
Geelong Cats cut prematurely short
from grief start off small – where
due to recurring knee injuries, Tom