Katie-Anne O’Toole knows the heartbreak of losing a sibling only too well.
She was only nine years old when her little brother, Declan, passed away from a brain tumour, at the age of seven.
Tragedy struck again in January 2016, when her sister, Jacinta, died suddenly from a brain aneurysm. She was just 30 years old, and left son Ethan, 12, behind.
While the entire family has always participated in fundraising, with a particular emphasis on helping bereaved families, Jacinta’s loss spurred them to do something very special for affected children.
Driven on by their own experience, Katie-Anne, along with sisters Aishleen and Charlotte, founded Jacinta’s Smile; a fundraising organisation that supports children who have lost a sibling.
“We grew up in a house where we knew what it was like to have parents who lost a child,” Roscommon woman Katie-Anne told MummyPages.
“It’s so hard, because you are so helpless, seeing your brother sick and your parents fluctuating between good and bad moods.”
As their own parents focused on coming to terms with the loss of their child, Katie-Anne and her siblings – then aged between three and 13 – found it to be a confusing and upsetting time.
The seeds of Jacinta’s Smile flourished from the sisters’ desire to honour Jacinta, who had ‘lived for’ her son, Ethan.
Katie-Anne and her sisters want to help other children who have lost a sibling and may need that extra support, which is why they have decided to hold a very special event, in April.
On Saturday, April 15 (a day before brother Declan’s birthday), Katie-Anne and her sisters will be taking a group on an activity day in the Delphi Mountain Resort.
The children will participate in three fun activities and will get the chance to bond and make friends with others who share their situation.
The event will focus on making new connections and having fun in beautiful surroundings, and there will be a special acknowledgement of loved ones lost at the very end of the day, in the form of a balloon release.
“With children, [dealing with grief] is all about play therapy, art and expression…You’re meeting kids your own age, who have also lost someone,” explained Katie-Anne.
“It’s a great day for adults too, where they can get support. It’s all about making connections and realising that they’re not alone.”
So, do you know a child who has lost a sibling, who might be struggling at this difficult time? Are they aged between eight and 16? Would they like to take part in this event?
If so, get in contact with the team at Jacinta’s Smile (details in the Facebook post, above). Applications need to be in by March 13.
