About us
Jeri Lynn Platt

Almost twenty years ago, the first of many pivotal life
changing experiences occurred for me. A long winding
road brought me through many changes to where I am
today at 39.

My daughter, Leora, was born in 1987. I was a young
mother, only nineteen myself, and had no support or
education about the birthing process. I did not know I
had choices. Leora's birth was completely out of my
hands. My water broke, my labor was induced and she
was born by cesarean section. Somewhere inside of me
I felt like this process was incomplete.

Three years later, I was pregnant with Travis, and knew I
wanted a natural birth. I became involved with ICAN
(International Cesarean Awareness Network), and it
opened a whole new door to life for me. I became the
local secretary, and the Southeast regional director on a
national level. I learned about the vital importance of
education and advocation. Though my own issues did
not allow a natural birth the second time either, I still
carried on in the direction I was being led.
Travis & Sky -
Grief Survivors
I became a natural childbirth educator and a birthing advocate. I was a full fledged, cloth diapering, breastfeeding, herbal
medicine-using child-led weaning, organic food eating, vegetarian ("hippie" as Grandma called me) natural mom. I was
educated in natural living by the Australasian College of Herbal Studies, and continued my birthing education..
Lo and behold, Sky was born at home, all 9 pounds 7 ounces, in my bed in 1993. I finally did it! The empowerment I had so
needed. I had helped numerous other women feel this empowerment, but had not felt it first hand myself.

During my twelve plus years as a birthing advocate, the occasional loss would come- for myself and others. I wish I could
not recall so many losses over the years- from infertility to miscarriage to stillbirth. Grief support was vital in the healing
process.
Another thing I realized was that unknowingly I had become an advocate for the dying. I am an avid supporter of hospice,
and palliative care (comfort for the terminally ill). I always advocated for patients' rights in birthing. Now I advocate for
patients' rights at the end of life.

When I lost my daughter, I thought it was a given that I would never be truly happy again. It seemed to make sense. I was
wrong. I ended a painful relationship after Leora's death and was on my own for the first time. I took time to search and to
heal. I became an ordained minister, because my deep spirituality had allowed me the gifts of healing. I volunteered for
Make-A-Wish, because they had given my daughter a wish. My best friend and I held a benefit and I started a fund in my
daughter's name (The Princess Leora Fund) to help the LMS Foundation. Suddenly my life became more meaningful than
ever.

I met Fran. He had lost his mother not long after I lost my daughter. He became part of our family, and he and my sons and
I found that we were once again a complete family...and we were happy and healing. Of course, there is an obvious space
where Leora should be, and of course I still have my moments. But they are moments- not endless days turning into weeks
or months of agony and sadness. We have found that there is life after grief.
Eventually, things did not work out with Fran, but one of the lessons learned is that there can be happiness after loss.

I have continued to offer comfort to others over the last three years since Leora left us. My focus has changed as my life
has changed. My sons are older, and I am no longer birthing. I can now offer first hand comfort and understanding to those
left behind who want to learn how to live again.

It is easy to become stuck at any point in the grieving process. I found that using the principals loosely based on any twelve
step program, we can become unstuck, but we have to want to. We have to be WILLING to move forward. Step one-
Admitted we were powerless over grief and that our lives have become unmanageable.

The only thing my daughter cared about when she was sick was what was going to happen to me. I promised her I would be
okay, and I feel I have to keep that promise. I had no choice but to be okay. I still had to take care of the living, including
myself. Her brothers are turning into wonderful young men. We have grown closer as a family, and I am finally beginning to
live my dreams that I may not have realized had it not been for my life experience.

My basic belief in life is that everything does happen for a reason- no matter how sad and tragic, or happy and wonderful.
The way we choose to react is the key to once again living. I made a decision to help others with what I learned. I made a
decision that her death would not be for nothing. I made a decision to somehow find meaning in something that made no
sense. They say you cannot have fear and faith at the same time. Therefore I must choose faith, and I must share that
which has been given to me with others who need or want what I have to offer.
©2006 Shining Light Grief Support™ is a registered trademark and the exclusive property of the owner. No photos, articles or any other part of this website can
be reproduced without express permission.

Statements contained herein are not intended to be a substitute for serious grief-related psychosis or depression. This site is merely a support tool. It is not
intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any mental disease or disorder. Always consult with your professional health care provider if you feel you need
more serious help.
November of 2002 my life would take another
unpredicted turn when Leora was diagnosed with
terminal cancer at fifteen years old.

Leiomyosarcoma- a rare and very aggressive
adult cancer with no cure, and rarely a remission
(see the full story of Leora on the Princess Leora
page) took my daughter's life five short months
later. I would now need grief support myself.

As I walked through the grieving process, I realized
many things. One of the things I realized is that
"pre-reavement" was as important of a process as
bereavement. Knowing her death would inevitably
come was a reality I had to face. No one else
wanted to talk to me about it.

I found a man who worked at the hospital who was a
psychologist. His daughter had died from cancer
ten years prior, and he knew what I was going
through. I could cry, I could scream and
curse...whatever I needed to do.
Leora Lynn