Space Coast Parent - January 2018

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Mikey Puffer, of Palm Bay, with his mother, Eva, shows off the memory book he made about his late father during his time with Bright Star. HEALTH FIRST Helping Kids Deal with Grief SARA PAULSON September 5, 2012, is seared in Mikey Puffer’s memory. That was the day his mom picked him up unexpectedly early at school, bringing him to his aunt’s home. “She started crying, and so I asked her what was wrong,” recalled a solemn Mikey, 13. “And she told me that my dad died.” Mike Puffer was only 43 when he succumbed to lung cancer. He left behind Mikey, then 9, and his wife, 6 | Space Coast Parent JANUARY 2018
Eva, who found herself a widow at 37. “If I could have one wish, it would be that my dad was still alive,” Mikey said back in the summer in his Palm Bay home. “But at least he’s not suffering anymore.” Losing a loved one is painful, period. But for children, processing grief is an entirely different experience. That’s why the Bright Star Center for Grieving Children and Families in Melbourne, a service of Hospice of Health First, exists. It’s funded through the Health First Foundation, the philanthropic organization in the not-for-profit community healthcare system. 2017 marked the first time Health First participated in #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving driven by the power of social media and collaboration. Held the Tuesday after Thanksgiving — Nov. 28 of 2017 — the movement is designed to encourage giving. Health First participated in #GivingTuesday to benefit Hospice of Health First, in operation for more than 35 years, and its programs. Bright Star is a specialized children’s program that encourages the expression of grief through creative, positive play within a peer group setting. All gifts received on #GivingTuesday directly benefited the patients and families of Hospice of Health First and its programs that serve the community. “Children who are grieving, they’re not broken,” said Terry Musso, a Bright Star licensed clinical social worker. “They find friends here. They find comfort here.” The program, which features group sessions, activities and biannual day camps, is free and open to the public. This community resource has helped more than 2,800 children and 850 families since opening in 2000. Here to help Mikey Puffer and his mom, Eva, have welcomed the help since Mike’s passing. “We’re doing our best to make it, have our ups and downs,” Eva said. She admits she finds it frustrating that outsiders sometimes convey their beliefs that she should be healed from her loss by now. That enough time has passed and normalcy should have resumed. But mourning is very personal and doesn’t have a timetable. “Parents aren’t supposed to lose their children, and children are supposed to be older when they lose their parents,” she said. “But that’s not “Children who are grieving, they’re not broken. They find friends here. They find comfort here.” TERRY MUSSO BRIGHT STAR LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER the way it works sometimes.” Families such as Mikey and Eva’s are exactly why Bright Star opened. But Bright Star is about more than acknowledging loss. It’s about encouraging kids to enjoy life again — through games, dress-up or taking a few minutes in the popular, cushioned “Hurricane Room,” where they can safely unleash their frustrations. It’s also about celebrating the happy times, through crafts and activities that pay tribute to those lost. The twice-yearly Camp Bright Star packs a day filled with plenty of that. Held in May and November at Gleason Park in Indian Harbour Beach, the camp is open to grieving children ages 5 to 12. Arts and crafts, sports, therapy dogs and games keep campers busy, as well as lunch and a memorial service for the camper and his or her family at the end of the day. There, children are encouraged to share stories about their late loved ones and bond with others also grappling with grief. During the May 2017 camp, volunteer Sheila Wilson explained being at the event is a priority to her. “I never miss camp,” Wilson said, who brought nine therapy dogs to the May session. “I love camp. It’s just twice a year, where kids can be kids.” Healing hearts Eva Puffer was introduced to Bright Star during her darkest days — after husband Mike was admitted to Health First’s William Childs Hospice House in Palm Bay. Musso visited the family and let Eva know Bright Star was there to provide comfort for as long as it was needed. “She sat with me, and she let me cry, and hugged me, and she was so wonderful,” Puffer recalled. “She was so caring and kind, I really took to her right away. And I knew she was going to help Mikey.” Sara Paulson is marketing & communications editor for Health First. FT-0000598404 JANUARY 2018 Space Coast Parent | 7
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Space Coast Parent - January 2018

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