Christmas is never easy for Sharon Marie, who lost her five-year-old son Ned in a car crash eight years ago. As she prepares for her eighth Christmas without him, Sharon said Ned’s stocking will always remain empty on his bed, and there will be an empty chair at the table – Ned’s chair. Although others expect her to come to terms with the loss of her son, Sharon ensures he is remembered in the family’s traditions during the festive period.
While it is important to her that there is a place for Ned in their Christmas, she also tries to make the festive period easier for herself. For Sharon, the guilt of not visiting family and friends during Christmas has waned, and she does what feels right for her and her other two children. She shops online, avoids middle crowds, and spends time with her son at his grave. Sharon’s youngest child, Cai, was only 18 months old when Ned died, and although he cannot remember his older brother, he still asks numerous questions about him.
Sharon said getting help with bereavement was difficult, and she had to fight for the right mental health help throughout the years. She was fortunate enough to go private, but many people cannot afford to do so, and she believes the situation must be resolved. The support needed is not currently there, unfortunately, and Sharon hopes that this will change in the future. A spokesperson for the Welsh government stated that improving mental health support remains a priority and that all health boards have plans to reduce waiting times and make services more accessible.
Sharon said she looks forward to writing again in the new year, and although the new year can also be difficult, she plans to spend the period elsewhere. The time of Ned’s birthday, Good Friday, and the date he died, still remain extremely difficult for Sharon. Although writing and artwork help her during her difficult times, there are some moments when she cannot cope at all
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