FAMILIES COPE BY SHARING GRIEF
Families cope by sharing grief
Reports: PAULINE REYNOLDS
ONLY those affected by the tragedy in Omagh could ever really comprehend the legacy of heartbreak, and pain, left by the bombers.
Many of the bereaved, and injured, found solace in sharing their grief. And born out of this one common bond, was the Omagh Support and Self Help Group.
Comfort
Michael Gallagher and Stanley McCombe, are among the founding members. They, along with others, work quietly behind the scenes, with a helping hand ready for anyone who needs it. Each has found it a source of great comfort.
Says Stanley: "It's difficult for anyone who hasn't been through something like this to cope with all the emotions.
"But we understand what each other is going through and, in a way, that helps you to cope.
"There are tears, and there is anger.
"And the main thing is, none of us is afraid, or embarrassed, to show the way we feel."
The group began to emerge about three weeks after the bomb.
As Michael explains: "After the funerals, there was a sort of emptiness, a gap where no one seemed to know where to turn.
Feelings
Then, some of us got together to talk about what happened. We were able to relate to each others' feelings.
"We also realised we wanted to have a more hands-on approach, where we could take better control of our own future."
Since the first tentative steps to set up the group were taken, they have met numerous influential people to ensure the rights of the Omagh bomb victims are not forgotton
Reports: PAULINE REYNOLDS
ONLY those affected by the tragedy in Omagh could ever really comprehend the legacy of heartbreak, and pain, left by the bombers.
Many of the bereaved, and injured, found solace in sharing their grief. And born out of this one common bond, was the Omagh Support and Self Help Group.
Comfort
Michael Gallagher and Stanley McCombe, are among the founding members. They, along with others, work quietly behind the scenes, with a helping hand ready for anyone who needs it. Each has found it a source of great comfort.
Says Stanley: "It's difficult for anyone who hasn't been through something like this to cope with all the emotions.
"But we understand what each other is going through and, in a way, that helps you to cope.
"There are tears, and there is anger.
"And the main thing is, none of us is afraid, or embarrassed, to show the way we feel."
The group began to emerge about three weeks after the bomb.
As Michael explains: "After the funerals, there was a sort of emptiness, a gap where no one seemed to know where to turn.
Feelings
Then, some of us got together to talk about what happened. We were able to relate to each others' feelings.
"We also realised we wanted to have a more hands-on approach, where we could take better control of our own future."
Since the first tentative steps to set up the group were taken, they have met numerous influential people to ensure the rights of the Omagh bomb victims are not forgotton
Further Information
Publisher: SUNDAY LIFE
Ref: SL/098
Published Date: 15-Aug-99
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