How to help a family who has lost a child???

[ReneeP]

A neighbor of mine is a school teacher with 2 sons, Tyler age 18 and Tanner age 14. (I don't know the family personally... just see them in passing really). Anyhow, the boys were visiting their father for Thanksgiving in Dallas (6 hours away) and on the way home their truck slid off the road due to the road being wet. The truck flipped over and caught on fire and Tanner was trapped inside.

Tyler was trying frantically to get his little brother out but couldn't. By the time they got Tyler away from the truck, he was burned over 60% of his body. He was flown to a hospital in Dallas where he is in critical condition. Tanner didn't make it... he was burned beyond recognition. They aren't sure if Tyler will make it or not. He is on life support, his lungs have collapsed and he is in a coma.

I want to do something to help but I have no idea what to do. The parents are unable to work right now because they are spending as much time as possible at the hospital. So I know money would be helpful... but I'd like to do something else as well. I know there are people on here who have lived through the death of a child or had their child in the hospital for extended periods of time not knowing if they would make it... What helped you?

Would a personal care gift basket be appropriate... like a basket with necessary items that they can use without having to worry about buying things... or what about food items? I am not sure what I would be feeling and I hate to even imagine. I just wish I could think of something that would help them a little bit thru this terrible time.

Any ideas or thought would be appreciated. I'd like to know from people who have been there what helped them through it.

Thanks so much!

 

[ReneeP]

A neighbor of mine is a school teacher with 2 sons, Tyler age 18 and Tanner age 14. (I don't know the family personally... just see them in passing really). Anyhow, the boys were visiting their father for Thanksgiving in Dallas (6 hours away) and on the way home their truck slid off the road due to the road being wet. The truck flipped over and caught on fire and Tanner was trapped inside.

Tyler was trying frantically to get his little brother out but couldn't. By the time they got Tyler away from the truck, he was burned over 60% of his body. He was flown to a hospital in Dallas where he is in critical condition. Tanner didn't make it... he was burned beyond recognition. They aren't sure if Tyler will make it or not. He is on life support, his lungs have collapsed and he is in a coma.

I want to do something to help but I have no idea what to do. The parents are unable to work right now because they are spending as much time as possible at the hospital. So I know money would be helpful... but I'd like to do something else as well. I know there are people on here who have lived through the death of a child or had their child in the hospital for extended periods of time not knowing if they would make it... What helped you?

Would a personal care gift basket be appropriate... like a basket with necessary items that they can use without having to worry about buying things... or what about food items? I am not sure what I would be feeling and I hate to even imagine. I just wish I could think of something that would help them a little bit thru this terrible time.

Any ideas or thought would be appreciated. I'd like to know from people who have been there what helped them through it.

Thanks so much!

 

[ReneeP]

A neighbor of mine is a school teacher with 2 sons, Tyler age 18 and Tanner age 14. (I don't know the family personally... just see them in passing really). Anyhow, the boys were visiting their father for Thanksgiving in Dallas (6 hours away) and on the way home their truck slid off the road due to the road being wet. The truck flipped over and caught on fire and Tanner was trapped inside.

Tyler was trying frantically to get his little brother out but couldn't. By the time they got Tyler away from the truck, he was burned over 60% of his body. He was flown to a hospital in Dallas where he is in critical condition. Tanner didn't make it... he was burned beyond recognition. They aren't sure if Tyler will make it or not. He is on life support, his lungs have collapsed and he is in a coma.

I want to do something to help but I have no idea what to do. The parents are unable to work right now because they are spending as much time as possible at the hospital. So I know money would be helpful... but I'd like to do something else as well. I know there are people on here who have lived through the death of a child or had their child in the hospital for extended periods of time not knowing if they would make it... What helped you?

Would a personal care gift basket be appropriate... like a basket with necessary items that they can use without having to worry about buying things... or what about food items? I am not sure what I would be feeling and I hate to even imagine. I just wish I could think of something that would help them a little bit thru this terrible time.

Any ideas or thought would be appreciated. I'd like to know from people who have been there what helped them through it.

Thanks so much!

 

[ReneeP]

A neighbor of mine is a school teacher with 2 sons, Tyler age 18 and Tanner age 14. (I don't know the family personally... just see them in passing really). Anyhow, the boys were visiting their father for Thanksgiving in Dallas (6 hours away) and on the way home their truck slid off the road due to the road being wet. The truck flipped over and caught on fire and Tanner was trapped inside.

Tyler was trying frantically to get his little brother out but couldn't. By the time they got Tyler away from the truck, he was burned over 60% of his body. He was flown to a hospital in Dallas where he is in critical condition. Tanner didn't make it... he was burned beyond recognition. They aren't sure if Tyler will make it or not. He is on life support, his lungs have collapsed and he is in a coma.

I want to do something to help but I have no idea what to do. The parents are unable to work right now because they are spending as much time as possible at the hospital. So I know money would be helpful... but I'd like to do something else as well. I know there are people on here who have lived through the death of a child or had their child in the hospital for extended periods of time not knowing if they would make it... What helped you?

Would a personal care gift basket be appropriate... like a basket with necessary items that they can use without having to worry about buying things... or what about food items? I am not sure what I would be feeling and I hate to even imagine. I just wish I could think of something that would help them a little bit thru this terrible time.

Any ideas or thought would be appreciated. I'd like to know from people who have been there what helped them through it.

Thanks so much!

 

[ReneeP]

A neighbor of mine is a school teacher with 2 sons, Tyler age 18 and Tanner age 14. (I don't know the family personally... just see them in passing really). Anyhow, the boys were visiting their father for Thanksgiving in Dallas (6 hours away) and on the way home their truck slid off the road due to the road being wet. The truck flipped over and caught on fire and Tanner was trapped inside.
<br />
<br />Tyler was trying frantically to get his little brother out but couldn't. By the time they got Tyler away from the truck, he was burned over 60% of his body. He was flown to a hospital in Dallas where he is in critical condition. Tanner didn't make it... he was burned beyond recognition. They aren't sure if Tyler will make it or not. He is on life support, his lungs have collapsed and he is in a coma.
<br />
<br />I want to do something to help but I have no idea what to do. The parents are unable to work right now because they are spending as much time as possible at the hospital. So I know money would be helpful... but I'd like to do something else as well. I know there are people on here who have lived through the death of a child or had their child in the hospital for extended periods of time not knowing if they would make it... What helped you?
<br />
<br />Would a personal care gift basket be appropriate... like a basket with necessary items that they can use without having to worry about buying things... or what about food items? I am not sure what I would be feeling and I hate to even imagine. I just wish I could think of something that would help them a little bit thru this terrible time.
<br />
<br />Any ideas or thought would be appreciated. I'd like to know from people who have been there what helped them through it.
<br />
<br />Thanks so much!

 

[pjspiegle]

I would say that the basket idea would be very appropriate. It would help them and also let them know that you care about them. Sometimes just knowing you are not alone is the biggest help one can offer.

No personal experience with loosing a child, friends have.

I'm sorry for their loss and what they must be going through.

Hope this helps,

 

[pjspiegle]

I would say that the basket idea would be very appropriate. It would help them and also let them know that you care about them. Sometimes just knowing you are not alone is the biggest help one can offer.

No personal experience with loosing a child, friends have.

I'm sorry for their loss and what they must be going through.

Hope this helps,

 

[pjspiegle]

I would say that the basket idea would be very appropriate. It would help them and also let them know that you care about them. Sometimes just knowing you are not alone is the biggest help one can offer.

No personal experience with loosing a child, friends have.

I'm sorry for their loss and what they must be going through.

Hope this helps,

 

[pjspiegle]

I would say that the basket idea would be very appropriate. It would help them and also let them know that you care about them. Sometimes just knowing you are not alone is the biggest help one can offer.

No personal experience with loosing a child, friends have.

I'm sorry for their loss and what they must be going through.

Hope this helps,

 

[pjspiegle]

I would say that the basket idea would be very appropriate. It would help them and also let them know that you care about them. Sometimes just knowing you are not alone is the biggest help one can offer.
<br />
<br />No personal experience with loosing a child, friends have.
<br />
<br />I'm sorry for their loss and what they must be going through.
<br />
<br />Hope this helps,

 

[chrissyd]

I like the idea of a personal gift basket...
In my family we always made food that could be frozen and then popped into the oven; like meatloaf or lasagna or even mac and cheese.

My nephew was in the hospital for the first 4 months of his life....no one thought he would make it. We made sure his mom and dad gum and vending machine coins just incase. They would have rather eaten junk food than leave his side. We bought them actiovities magazines and a journal to write in everyday. That way when he was older he could read it, or they just had a spot to write their thoughts. He eventually came home and passed away at 18 months. Logically you know they make cofins that small but it is still a shock to the system to see one.

We fed them for a few days after; it was all we could do.

<img src="i/expressions/brokenheart.gif" border="0">

 

[chrissyd]

I like the idea of a personal gift basket...
In my family we always made food that could be frozen and then popped into the oven; like meatloaf or lasagna or even mac and cheese.

My nephew was in the hospital for the first 4 months of his life....no one thought he would make it. We made sure his mom and dad gum and vending machine coins just incase. They would have rather eaten junk food than leave his side. We bought them actiovities magazines and a journal to write in everyday. That way when he was older he could read it, or they just had a spot to write their thoughts. He eventually came home and passed away at 18 months. Logically you know they make cofins that small but it is still a shock to the system to see one.

We fed them for a few days after; it was all we could do.

<img src="i/expressions/brokenheart.gif" border="0">

 

[chrissyd]

I like the idea of a personal gift basket...
In my family we always made food that could be frozen and then popped into the oven; like meatloaf or lasagna or even mac and cheese.

My nephew was in the hospital for the first 4 months of his life....no one thought he would make it. We made sure his mom and dad gum and vending machine coins just incase. They would have rather eaten junk food than leave his side. We bought them actiovities magazines and a journal to write in everyday. That way when he was older he could read it, or they just had a spot to write their thoughts. He eventually came home and passed away at 18 months. Logically you know they make cofins that small but it is still a shock to the system to see one.

We fed them for a few days after; it was all we could do.

<img src="i/expressions/brokenheart.gif" border="0">

 

[chrissyd]

I like the idea of a personal gift basket...
In my family we always made food that could be frozen and then popped into the oven; like meatloaf or lasagna or even mac and cheese.

My nephew was in the hospital for the first 4 months of his life....no one thought he would make it. We made sure his mom and dad gum and vending machine coins just incase. They would have rather eaten junk food than leave his side. We bought them actiovities magazines and a journal to write in everyday. That way when he was older he could read it, or they just had a spot to write their thoughts. He eventually came home and passed away at 18 months. Logically you know they make cofins that small but it is still a shock to the system to see one.

We fed them for a few days after; it was all we could do.

<img src="i/expressions/brokenheart.gif" border="0">

 

[chrissyd]

I like the idea of a personal gift basket...
<br />In my family we always made food that could be frozen and then popped into the oven; like meatloaf or lasagna or even mac and cheese.
<br />
<br />My nephew was in the hospital for the first 4 months of his life....no one thought he would make it. We made sure his mom and dad gum and vending machine coins just incase. They would have rather eaten junk food than leave his side. We bought them actiovities magazines and a journal to write in everyday. That way when he was older he could read it, or they just had a spot to write their thoughts. He eventually came home and passed away at 18 months. Logically you know they make cofins that small but it is still a shock to the system to see one.
<br />
<br />We fed them for a few days after; it was all we could do.
<br />
<br /><img src="i/expressions/brokenheart.gif" border="0">

 

[JazzysMom]

I think the basket is great. Sometimes during times like this even heating up already made food seems impossible to handle.

A fruit basket etc would at least be a grab & go snack to keep some nourishment in them.

What a tragedy.........


Prayers to the family!

 

[JazzysMom]

I think the basket is great. Sometimes during times like this even heating up already made food seems impossible to handle.

A fruit basket etc would at least be a grab & go snack to keep some nourishment in them.

What a tragedy.........


Prayers to the family!

 

[JazzysMom]

I think the basket is great. Sometimes during times like this even heating up already made food seems impossible to handle.

A fruit basket etc would at least be a grab & go snack to keep some nourishment in them.

What a tragedy.........


Prayers to the family!

 

[JazzysMom]

I think the basket is great. Sometimes during times like this even heating up already made food seems impossible to handle.

A fruit basket etc would at least be a grab & go snack to keep some nourishment in them.

What a tragedy.........


Prayers to the family!

 

[JazzysMom]

I think the basket is great. Sometimes during times like this even heating up already made food seems impossible to handle.
<br />
<br />A fruit basket etc would at least be a grab & go snack to keep some nourishment in them.
<br />
<br />What a tragedy.........
<br />
<br />
<br />Prayers to the family!