A mother's journey through grief, addiction, and finding hope after losing her daughter

Grieving Out Loud: A Mother Coping with Loss in the Opioid Epidemic

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Your life dreams may include starting a business, building a dream home, or nurturing a healthy marriage. But for many, like Sandra Radford, the deepest dream is raising children—a dream she fought to achieve through IVF. Despite the heartbreak of losing two of her triplets during pregnancy, Sandra’s joy was boundless when she welcomed her daughter into the world.

But life’s harshest trials lay ahead. Sandra’s world shattered when her cherished daughter fell into the grip of substance use disorder, ultimately losing her battle to a fatal overdose. The pain was compounded as Sandra faced her own struggle with addiction, plunging her into a darkness where the will to live seemed almost impossible to find.

Yet Sandra’s story is not just one of loss and despair. It is a testament to resilience, a reminder that even when life delivers its cruelest blows, there remains a spark of hope. Sandra refuses to be defined by her grief. Instead, she strives to inspire others, showing that no matter how deep the pain, we must continue to dream, to fight, and to live.

The Emily’s Hope Substance Use Prevention Curriculum has been carefully designed to address growing concerns surrounding substance use and overdose in our communities. Our curriculum focuses on age-appropriate and evidence-based content that educates children about the risks of substance use while empowering them to make healthy choices.

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Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Kayli Fitz