By Mara Pattison-Sowden
HEALESVILLE resident Anne Duff lost her only son to a rare bone cancer of the spine two years ago.
Her life was changed forever when her 32-year-old son Brad decided he couldn’t go on after seven inoperable tumours were found in his spine.
Mrs Duff says she was finally able to take off the “mask” she wears in public when she joined the Yarra Valley’s Compassionate Friends.
The monthly support group is run by Healesville resident Mary Bariola for bereaved parents. Mrs Bariola herself lost her son Mark in a car accident more than 11 years ago.
Mrs Duff says life becomes peaceful after a while, but the grief never goes away.
“No one else can experience the pain of losing a child unless they’ve been through it, the meetings may not be for everybody, but for me it’s a blessing,” she says.
Mrs Duff says the support group was about “walking alone together”.
“Everyone understands where they’re coming from and we share our grief in a way that is not judgmental,” she says.
“There’s a special energy and warmth here, and Mary has opened up her home for us.”
The social luncheon group is held at Mrs Bariola’s house every third Thursday each month and she says that talking helps the healing process.
“When you hear of other people with the same pain as you, somehow you don’t feel as isolated,” Mrs Bariola said.
Anyone interested in attending can phone Mary Bariola on 5962 3287 or 0432 283 537.
