Aug 19, 2021
Your hosts, Tara Hedman and Diane Thompson welcome Stacy Hladek, LPC, to today’s episode. Stacy lost both of her parents to a drunk driver 20 years ago. Ten years later, her daughter also passed away in a car accident. Today is the first of two episodes, where Stacy openly shares her experience of shock, trauma, grief, and loss. She also speaks on how she supports her clients grieving in their own way.
Through her remarkable story, Stacy discloses her tremendous pain, grief, and healing. Stacy is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Colorado Springs specializing in children and trauma. She is direct and warm, a powerful and rare combination.
Life really can suck less, so examine your head, man!
Key Takeaways:
[8:21] Stacy’s parents were killed in a car accident 20 years ago.
[9:24] How does Stacy talk about grief with her clients?
[17:09] Stacy shares about when she got the news her parents were killed in a car accident.
[23:15] Stacy shares what came after hearing the most terrible news of her life at that time.
[25:50] Stacy shares the difference it made to find out her parents were killed by a drunk driver.
[29:54] Stacy shares how her family’s Christian faith helped them walk through the grieving process.
[32:04] Stacy talks about the hardest emotional aspect to face during the first months after her parents passed away.
[34:40] How did Stacy’s husband and children deal with the loss?
[35:40] What was it like seeing the woman who was the drunk driver?
[38:57] The drunk driver never apologized, Stacy worked hard to let go of her anger and forgive her regardless.
[41:45] Stacy shares how she benefited from writing letters to the drunk driver; letters she never sent, and how they helped her process her feelings.
[45:35] Stacy talks about the bond she has with her brothers and how it only became stronger after their parents passed away.
[49:10] What is the hardest part for Stacy now?
[51:35] Stacy talks about the importance of finding humor in all things.
Mentioned in this episode:
Visit Examine Your Hedman
Room of Marvels, James Bryan Smith
A Grief Observed, C. S. Lewis
This podcast is not a substitute for a therapeutic relationship with a mental health professional