Waves

Coping With Grief And Finding Peace After Baby Loss

Waves is a beautiful book about baby loss, mental health and the role that the ocean and nature can play in helping bereaved parents come to terms with grief.ISBN: 9781068419300

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• About Waves
• About The Author
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© Hannah J Thomas. All rights reserved.
ISBN: 9781068419300

Reviews

"Waves is a beautifully photographed/illustrated book, bursting with hope and positivity. It comes from Hannah’s/the author’s personal experience of grief, but recognises that all grief is unique. It is fundamentally a practical guide to wellbeing which will connect with many bereaved parents." - Rowena Pailing, Head Of Bereavement Support Services, Sands Charity"This is a lovely book as well as quite unique. There is rhythm and beauty, as well as sense and logic in the parallels between surfing, nature and emotions. The images are extraordinary. We are wary of promising solutions and you are too - you talk about what has worked for you, and suggest and inform rather than promise." - Ruth Bender Atik OBE - Former National Director of the Miscarriage Association"Waves is absolutely beautiful. The imagery and the way it is written mean that it is an ideal resource for bereaved parents. It contains some really powerful advice bestowed within bite sized sections making it ideal for bereaved parents...I would definitely recommend this book to families in my care." - Anna Stewart - Bereavement Lead Midwife, NHS"I love this book. From its introduction through to the end pages, Hannah shares with the reader her heart-breaking story of loss and pain, but also of hope. There is a lovely balance between offering a wealth of theoretical and practical information, as well as deep vulnerability. Hannah doesn’t shy away from the ‘tough questions’ but with great wisdom suggests that they should be allowed to rest for a while, before seeking answers that sometimes simply are not there. Although the subject matter is serious and painful, Hannah also brings a comforting light touch: ‘‘Are there many things in life better than choosing a nice piece of stationery?!” I would not hesitate to recommend this book to both bereaved parents and professionals in supporting roles." - Jennie Baines - Speaker and Consultant for Care.org"Your book is so beautiful! It is he perfect balance between photography and words. When you’re grieving it’s hard to take in a lot of information at a time. The photos and reference to the ocean, surfing and analogies of grief are so beautiful. It is excellent how you refer to coping mechanisms and promoting connection with nature as part of that. The book aligns so perfectly with what we are trying to achieve as a charity. We will be recommending this book." - Aimee Green, Charity Founder, Luna’s Fund"I have a few books about miscarriage and coping with grief, but yours is more gentle by comparison. I qualified as a grief coach after both my parents passed away when I was in my early thirties. But my miscarriages were a different kind of loss, it physically passes through your body, and I couldn't counsel myself. I think books are a great source of support but they have to "feel" right. Waves ticks all the right boxes." - Rebecca - Bereaved Mother"I came across your book on Instagram when I was looking for support after we lost our son. I have been lucky enough to read a copy before it is published. I have always found being out in nature and sea swimming very healing and it suited me perfectly to have a book that helped me process my suffocating grief in a way I could really relate to. The images are incredible and really speak to you. I cannot recommend this book highly enough." - Sara - Bereaved Mother

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About Waves

Waves is a beautiful book about baby loss, mental health and the role that the ocean and nature can play in helping us come to terms with our grief.Part-self-help, part-photography book, Waves aims to support people in processing their grief after baby loss, providing practical self-help tools to alleviate the effects of trauma and aid healing. Throughout the book, author Hannah J Thomas draws many parallels with surfing and the ocean, and about the role that being out in nature can play in recovery.
Waves features spectacular ocean photography, contributed by fourteen talented photographers based in the UK. The photography is designed to take the reader on a journey that mirrors the narrative, with imagery that expresses the depths of grief and the process of healing in a way that words alone could not.Waves is a heartfelt and encouraging story of finding hope despite deep grief and pain. In this book we will:Explore the physical and mental effects of grieving the loss of a child
Address common thoughts and feelings that are often difficult to say out loud
Discover practical tools for self-care on your grief journey
Learn easy-to-access theory around facing big emotions, the effects of trauma, and the healing power of being out in nature
Acknowledge 'the other kind of grief': coming to terms with a different future than the one we originally planned for
Admire stunning photography that creates a sense of awe, hope and peace
AudienceThis book is for anyone who grieves the loss of a baby, or for anyone wanting to support someone who has lost a baby. This book would make a useful practical tool for counsellors, therapists and bereavement charities to use with clients.The nature of this book also means that much of the content may also be a useful tool for those dealing with grief and loss for another reason.

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About The Author

This book is the culmination of my desire to help other people process the grief of losing a baby in a relatable and practical way. I was seven months pregnant with our baby daughter when she passed away. Particularly in the early stages after our loss, I found it very difficult to read the books people kindly sent me about grief. Even though they may well have helped me, the vast amount of text and information felt overwhelming to me. As a result,
I have tried to create something a little different with Waves.
Waves looks like a photo book, and features over sixty incredible images of the sea, surfing and waves in all their splendour. The images mirror the pattern of the books' content. My hope is that the reader is taken on a journey of feeling the power, restoration and peace that nature can provide us; aiding the relief of trauma without reading many (or on some days any) words.Waves does not focus too heavily on the details of my story, rather the 'aftermath' of loss - what it felt like physically, how it affected me mentally, and what I learnt about how to help my body and mind heal. The book draws many parallels to my love of surfing and the ocean, and explores how being out in nature can aid our healing.
I have always loved writing. When I started writing about the loss of my baby I never imagined it would turn into this book. I have kept a journal on and off since I was a teenager; my Mother encouraged me to do it as a way of processing. When we lost our daughter, I turned to writing as an outlet for my grief. Over time, as I shared my vision for what I was writing, I was overwhelmed by the encouragement I received to share Waves with others who might benefit from it too. It is my sincere hope that this book can help those who have loved and lost a baby to find peace and healing.
A little about me. I am married and we have a wonderful nine year old son. I am a Business Lecturer, and also run a freelance business providing marketing support services for SME's. I spend a lot of time outdoors with family and friends, surfing, mountain biking and hiking on Dartmoor. We live in South Devon, UK.
The way that my husband and I supported our son in his grief isn't featured in Waves. I felt that this was too larger additional subject, and didn't fit with the core theme of the book. However, I have wondered since about writing a second book, (practical again, like Waves), discussing how we helped him navigate his grief. If you think this is a good idea and would like to see it, please do get in touch and let me know. I'd love to hear from you!Hannah J Thomas

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