Shirley Enebrad

Author, Speaker & Grief Counselor

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Outraged and sad

Outraged and sad

April 27, 2015 by Shirley Enebrad Leave a Comment

Have you seen this CNN report? http://www.cnn.com/…/pkg-girl-fighting-cancer-kicked-out-of…

I am outraged after seeing this CNN report about a little girl who has just completed treatment for leukemia who was kicked out of Catholic middle school because of her attendance and academic standing. We are talking middle school. She had attended this school her whole school life and was understandably upset when they as she described, “got rid of me.”

As the parent of a child who only wanted to go to school up until his death, I am so angry right now. I offered Cory the opportunity to go and see anyplace in the world. I was willing to sell my house and every worldly thing I owned to fulfill his wish. He told me, “I just want to go to school mama. I want to be normal for as long as I can.” Well, the little girl in Battle Creek stated that school was the only place where she felt “normal” too.

Through my 10 years as the president of Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation of Washington and my five years as the Washington State Team Leader for CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation I met so many children/youth. I am here to tell you unequivocally that every single one of them just wanted to feel “normal.”

The powers that be at the school and that archdiocese should be ashamed of themselves! At at a time when this little girl and her family need support the system is kicking her to the curb. At at time when they should be demonstrating their holy beliefs that one would imagine were inspired by God and the examples that Jesus set…they are failing this child and her family miserably.

In the news story the priest who is representing the school’s side of the situation doesn’t even sound like he believes what he is saying. Or maybe that’s me projecting that I cannot believe his lame reason for this child being summarily dismissed right before the end of the school year. There is obviously more to the story than what he is letting on. Are they worried that she is bringing down their curve and rendering their promotional materials inaccurate? So, was it was a business decision? She missed a lot of school – uh yeah. In the giant scheme of things so what? It’s middle school for God’s sake! Her father says in the piece that his daughter was passing all of her core classes. I for one think that is quite an accomplishment and should have been good enough.

SHAME ON THEM! I cannot believe that the people of Battle Creek aren’t marching in the streets protesting the mis-treatment of this child. I know that if I was there I would be rallying the entire city. So, now I must content myself with asking you to watch the story and then go to the the Battle Creek Catholic School system’s website at http://www.bcacs.org /contactus.htm and let them know what you think of their decision.

And another thing — at a time when Catholic churches and schools have been hit with so many sex abuse scandals this is not the time for them to be showing the world that they care so little for a young girl who has already been to hell and back with chemotherapy and whatever other treatments she has endured. I hope the Pope sees the CNN report and kicks up a fuss and a few arses.

Be well,
Shirley

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Reviews & Testimonials

Although I haven’t experienced too much loss, this short, to-the-point book gave me a wealth of very important information on how to help others cope with grief, and how to know what to expect when it happens to me. I learned about things to say and not to say to those grieving, and how important it is to let yourself go through the process when you experience loss. The author knows what she is talking about, as she has experienced extensive loss herself. Concise and helpful tips!
P. Pacelli, Sammamish, WA (after reading Six-Word Lessons on Coping with Grief)
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Anyone going through the grieving process would benefit from this quick read. Six-Word Lessons on Coping with Grief is filled with keen insight and wisdom from the author who lost her own son, and through her own grieving process decided to become a Certified Grief Recovery Specialist. In her quest to help others, Enebrad shows tremendous courage and transparency in dealing with her own grief to help others going through the grieving process. Beautifully done.
Lonnie Pacelli "The Project Management Advisor", Bellevue, WA
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Cory was my favorite patient ever and he taught me more than I could ever teach him. His lessons about Summerland (the afterlife) were profound and his drawings of what he saw ‘Over the Rainbow Bridge’ helped thousands of people get in touch with their long-buried emotions.
Dr. Elisabeth Kubler Ross, Famed researcher & author of 16 books ‘On Death and Dying’
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I loved this very human and touching story of a family’s journey with a terminally ill child. Although it was sad, it was also courageous and funny. It was far more about living than about dying, and offers a positive example for all of us to value each day. The messages about life beyond death’s door are intriguing, uplifting, and very believable. Thank you for a beautiful read.
Marcia Shaver (after reading Over the Rainbow Bridge)
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Over the Rainbow Bridge is an intelligent and emotional book that exhibits an unforgettable life and death of a child wise beyond his young years. You don’t have to be grieving to get Cory’s life lessons.
Karen Minton, MA, CAN, Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, Maine
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This primer on grief is practical , honest, and totally on the money about feelings, thoughts, and behaviors which are part of the human experience of grief and loss. The six word lessons are understandable, strengthening, and probably because there are only ‘six words’ easily remembered. It also takes direct aim at the guilt experienced about ‘the need to talk about it’.
William M Womack MD, Psychiatrist ("Six Word Lessons" On Coping with Grief)
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The greatest gift I received from reading “Over the Rainbow Bridge” is a comforting peace about death and dying. Death is not an ending, but the beginning of a new phase. Powerful. Thanks Cory for your wisdom.Through the life of this 9 year old boy, I learned more insights about heaven and the afterlife than I ever learned by attending church. I don’t know who I’m more impressed with—Cory, a young man who even in death was the most positive, inspirational person I never met; or his mother Shirley who had the courage to really list… Read more
Shelly Heesacker, Freelance TV Field Producer for ‘Oprah’ and ‘The Dr. Phil Show’
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This book on coping is such a gift. It’s a quick, concise read that any busy, grief stricken person can benefit from. Knowing that the writer has experienced grief is powerful, she has walked down the lonely, painful journey herself. Thank you for this book as we grieve the loss of my beautiful mother-in-law!
Joanie Raaum (after reading Six-Word Lessons on Coping with Grief)
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Over the Rainbow Bridge is an intelligent and emotional book that exhibits an unforgettable life and death of a child wise beyond his young years. You don’t have to be grieving to get Cory’s life lessons.
Karen Minton, MA, CAN, Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, Maine
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Books are often described as good, exciting, motivational, or inspirational. Rarely do you find one that is truly life transforming. ‘Over the Rainbow Bridge’ is just such a book. It is absolutely miraculous the impact the story of this little nine your old child had on my perception of life, death, and God. My life has been inspired and enhanced by Cory’s story. If you are depressed for any reason, you will have a change of heart and mind after reading how Cory dealt with every day life in the short time he was here on earth. I can hardl… Read more
Carrie D. Hewitt, Newly Encouraged Mother of Four
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