Bursary boosts care for grievers

Alex Gow Bursary winner Petra Milaudi

People who are grieving as a result of infant loss or amputation at Greenslopes Private Hospital will soon be able to receive even more support during their struggle.

Coordinating Chaplain Petra Milaudi has personally applied for – and been awarded – the Alex Gow Loss and Grief Bursary.

Ms. Milaudi said the funding would allow her to explore options and undertake a deeper study of loss and grief in more targeted areas.

“Infant loss is something I work closely with and I see the long-term effects of that loss even many years later. From my experience I have found that many in our society take pregnancy and childbirth for ‘granted’ and so the loss of an unborn baby is often not managed or supported well because people just don’t know what to do or what to say.”

She said amputees also need a great deal of support to sort through the loss they feel.

“I have had many experiences of journeying beside people and families who have endured the lonely path of amputation – and not just limbs. I hope to be a better support to them and provide information for others in the holistic care team on how to be present with these people.”

Brett Gow, Managing Director at Alex Gow Funerals, said he was delighted to award Ms. Milaudi the Alex Gow Grief and Loss Bursary of 2017.

“The committee could not fault Ms. Milaudi’s application. We were very impressed with her history of commitment to this work and to the care of others. We could also see this bursary would potentially benefit so many people given the nature and structure of her work,” said Mr. Gow.

Once she has finished her study using this bursary, Ms. Milaudi plans to commence a research project at Greenslopes Private Hospital focusing on the loss and grief experienced by amputees in particular.