8 Ian Weedon | The Loss of Half of the Family

How To Deal With Grief and Trauma

Today I speak with Ian Weedon who has lost half of his family in the past few years. Listen to Ian telling us how he deals with loss and trauma in his later stage of life. Together, we also explore how the loved one’s presence can be felt in very different ways, not always the way we want or expect it. Ian’s life story shows the reality of living a life after loss.

Ian says:

‘Of course, my life is very different. I only have the responsibility to my daughter now I don't have the responsibility to the other half of the family. I miss them greatly. My life is not as good without them, that's for sure. In spite of all the work that Anne's position entailed, I miss that. I have a lot more freedom now. But I prefer it as it was.’

About this week’s guest

Originally from South Africa, Ian has been living in Switzerland for the past 36 years. He and his late wife Anne had two amazing children. Sadly, their son Derrick was killed in a motor accident in 2013 when he was just 34. Derrick had been married for just a year before his death and subsequently, his wife sued Ian’s daughter for money. The family endured four years of hardship on top of the grief.

Ian’s wife Anne suffered from MS (multiple sclerosis) for 40 years, starting soon after they were married. Despite all the challenges, they had a wonderful life together. Anne was wheelchair-bound for eighteen years. She was first partly and for the last few years entirely dependent on Ian. Anne died in 2018.

Ian misses both Anne and Derrick and especially their smiles and touches. Ian feels extremely lucky to still have his wonderful loving daughter.

Topics discussed in this episode

• Derrick’s traumatic loss through a car accident
• Breaking the news to his wife and daughter
• Anne’s life with MS and her subsequent death
• Adjusting to life without half of his family
• The presence of the lost loved one

Links

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HOW TO DEAL WITH GRIEF AND TRAUMA is produced and edited by me, Nathalie Himmelrich.

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