Beyond Kübler-Ross Program Filming Underway at Doughjangles

The inaugural shoot for HFA’s first New Perspectives program, was filmed yesterday in Lexington Park, Maryland. Spence Levine, Vice President of Programs, interviewed a mother who lost one of her twin sons, Eric, at age 11 to cancer. She talked about the continuing bond she has to her deceased son, held initially through letters, and later through signs that he is keeping his promise to “take care of Mommy and the rest of the family.” She discussed their pediatrician’s effort to pull her surviving twin son, Aaron, from a deepening depression by suggesting he write a business plan to take an activity he enjoyed (baking – inspired by his brother) and create a company.

At their next doctor’s visit, the pediatrician gave Aaron $20 as the first investor and thus began “Doughjangles” - home baked sweets that are as therapeutic for the mother and Aaron to bake as they were delicious for us to eat. Doughjangles has been instrumental in helping the family through their grief since Eric’s death three years ago.

The story of the company has been featured on Oprah, Paula Deen, and CBS News. HFA’s coverage highlights how the baking helps both the mother and son work through their grief. Besides speaking with us, HFA shot them interacting while baking… and of course, Spence and his team got to sample the goods!

Beyond Kübler-Ross: New Perspectives on Death, Dying, and Grief (available beginning November 10, 2011)
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Available only on DVD, this program explores the most current theoretical perspectives on death, dying, and grief, emphasizing areas where understandings of dying, death, and grief have been challenged and developed since the 1969 publication of Kübler-Ross’ epochal work, On Death and Dying. The presentation emphasizes the practice implications of these new perspectives and would be useful to a range of professionals who counsel persons who are dying or bereaved, including psychologists, counselors, clergy, social workers, nurses, physicians and other health care workers, as well as educators, teachers and school-based personnel. In addition, it would benefit individuals who offer education on loss, grief, dying or death.

Interested in advertising and partnership opportunities for this program? View HFA's other upcoming education programs.

Looking for Support? Twinless Twins (www.twinlesstwins.org) provides support for twins and other multiples who have lost their birth partners due to death or other estrangement at any age.