The Missing Piece: Bridging the Gap in Family-Wide Healing
As physical healing begins to wrap itself up and life seems to return to normalcy, it can feel like a time for celebration, and it is in so many ways. Making it through physical recovery is a huge milestone. However, it’s not where healing truly ends. The mental and emotional recovery that begins after the visible wounds have healed is a journey that can be long and difficult, especially when you don’t know how to navigate it. It can feel overwhelming, frightening, and so incredibly isolating. I personally underwent many surgical procedures, starting at a very young age and continuing throughout my childhood. At the time, I didn’t have the resources or understanding that I needed to process what had happened to me or how to feel about it. I also didn’t know how to communicate what I was feeling or experiencing to the people around me. I also realized that my family didn't have the understanding or vocabulary of how to communicate with me about what I was going through; there was a disconnect for sure when it came to navigating the healing that needed to happen. Eventually, I was placed in therapy, where I began to gain the tools necessary to process the experiences I went through. However, it wasn’t until I was well into my late teens that meaningful progress and healing truly began. It took 18 plus years for me to see any type of mental recovery. Looking back, I realize how much earlier support and guidance could have changed that journey.
Reading about the work Alongside Network is doing, learning about their mission, hearing their goals, and seeing how passionately they pursue them made me genuinely super excited to work with them as an intern. Alongside recognizes and acknowledges that healing doesn’t stop at the physical recovery stage; it extends to mental and emotional recovery. It takes family-wide support. They focus on walking alongside families during some of the most difficult times of their lives, helping them feel seen and supported. Having the right resources and support system can make a world of difference in the healing process. Being able to contribute, even in a small way, to an organization that can profoundly impact families and their experiences is incredibly meaningful to me. I truly believe the work Alongside Network is doing will be a blessing to many families. I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of it.
Written by: Anna Knaus