Don’t Walk Alone
Walking together through grief
Weekends of grief support for parents of child loss
In loving memory of Walker Tobin
and Ellen Gilbert
Don’t Walk Alone Foundation
“This is the solitary journey we cannot do alone”
Frances Weller
Don’t Walk Alone Weekends were created in memory of Marny’s son, Walker, who took his own life on September 9, 2018 at 36, and Diantha’s daughter, Ellen who transitioned very suddenly at the age of 14 on April 2, 2020.
On those days, our lives changed forever. Those words seem so trite now as they cannot encompass all that has transpired since then. The journey of grief has been a rough road of ups and downs but what became obvious is we couldn’t do this alone.
Community and our new found friendship was a life saver for us. Early on, we connected and as we’ve cried, screamed and laughed with each other our bond has grown. We knew we wanted to share the value of community with others. From that grew the vision of Don’t Walk Alone Weekends.
Hello
I’m Marny
On September 9, 2018 my life change forever. My son, Walker took his own life very unexpectedly. His friends called him the ultimate glue-guy; he always brought people together and made sure no one was left out. I am following in his legacy. My journey through grief has taught me many things about myself and the world. One important lesson is that this is not a journey we should do alone. So, in Walker’s memory we are creating weekends of community and connection for grieving moms – no one should walk alone!
Hello
I’m Diantha
April 2, 2020 my world shattered. My 14 year old daughter, Ellen died of a brain aneurysm that was caused by undiagnosed leukemia. Ellen was the “best friend” to so many. Ellen loved to laugh and make others feel happy. She lived with joy and shared her light with everyone she met. She managed to make everyone feel comfort in her presence and always understood when someone was in any form of pain. Ellen showed undconditional love to everyone who was fortunate enough to be in her life. Her huge presence on this earth is missed beyond words. In the beginning, I was lost on this journey and then I met Marny, who has walked side by side with me on “good” days and even more so on the bad days. This grief journey is not meant to be navigated alone and it is so difficult to understand how the people I thought would be there for everything, have abandoned me. I am thankful that I don’t have to walk alone.
What We Do
“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around” Leo Buscaglia
Traveling this road of grief is hard enough and almost impossible alone. After making life-saving, life changing connections online, we knew bringing moms together where they can experience the power of touch, listening, love, caring, tears and smiles was important. It was out of this knowledge and experience that this concept was created – weekends in a very safe space with other moms supporting and loving each other.
Testimonials
“Being in a group initially made me realize my tragic and scary thoughts about the future without my daughter were not crazy. It was therapeutic speaking about Courtney. As time went on, I realized I became the person who could potentially give someone else more hope and be a supportive friend.”
Check out Courtney’s Foundation
“Connection to others that “get it” and sharing our stories are two of the things that can bring us the most healing after child loss. The support system we build is everything! Finding the right people can be hard…events like these are a game changer.”
Check out Emily’s offerings as a grief coach
“I lost my son Marco 3 years and 5 moths ago to an accidental overdose. What became one of the most supportive and consoling experiences was knowing and being with other mothers who know this excruciating pain. I am grateful to have found a group that has become a safe, supportive place of understanding, acceptance, and connection where we can express and process our grief and changed lives.”
“What helps with support groups is that you can express raw emotions without worry about judgement or making the other person uncomfortable. After the first phase, many people disappear and don’t want to hear it anymore (as they feel helpless) and the worst is to bottle up your emotions as they are too intense to carry alone.”