User:Izzyonstage/Daddys With Angels
An online support group for families of child loss. This group was created in December 2010 by Paul Scully-Sloan after the loss of his son, Travers-James.
At the time there were no support groups available for fathers of child loss. The only available support was for mothers. Paul quickly realised that having a secure group for fathers was needed. Typically men are seen to be the pillar of strength through the journey of grief. Contrary to common belief, men also suffer with grief and the associated mental components like PTSD and Depression.
With the few groups that were available for fathers being run by women, it was hard for fathers to really feel comfortable about sharing their feelings and open up to each other. After all, men are not expected to display their feeling openly. Paul began with a single social media group just for men. Over the years that DWA has been running, the group has grown in many ways to support fathers of child loss and has even expanded to include all family members and siblings in their own tailored groups. Safe in the knowledge that what members say in their respective groups will always be kept confidential. The fears of retribution for something that was said to be taken out of context is now a thing of the past.
Every day this vast support groups continues to gain new members. All of whom share their stories and precious memories of their angels (A term used to describe a child who is no longer living) and also help to support each other through their daily struggles with grief. Some members have even gone on to have rainbow babies (A description for a baby born after a loss). One of the biggest differences with the DWA support groups is that they do not limit membership based on when a family looses a child like most other support groups.Within the DWA support groups, members are encouraged to talk about anything and everything. From stories, pictures and poems through to peoples hobbies and interests and general conversations on various topics of surviving the grief of child loss.
DWA also continues to raise money to help support it's growing list of members world wide. Bringing families together in their grief has given families the much needed help, support and friendship that are otherwise all too often non-existant. Initially DWA was only available through it's closed Facebook support groups, but has over the years expanded to include YouTube, Instagram, Pintrest and Twitter. Their website also contains a memorial section where members can share their stories. Opening up the lines of communication so that bereaved parents no long feel isolated and alone. Many of DWA's members have even spoken out in awe of the support services provided by DWA. In quite a few cases these groups have managed to turn grieving parents from the brink of depression and guide them back to a more managable and normal state of mind. In 2014 DWA was nominated and won a Butterfly Award in the category for Support Oganisation. DWA have members who's children were born too soon, died of natural causes, were miscarried, stillborn, died of cancer or other illness, commited suicide or have been murdered.
Even though it is not recognised in all countries, DWA also encourage it members to take part in the Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance Day. Not only that but they also encorage the sharing of stories and pictures with various groups posting days (e.g. Forever Friday, a day to share photos and remember all the angels taken too soon).