GRAND RIVERS, Ky. - The death of a child is something no parent ever wants to experience.
However, it is a reality for millions of Americans including some living in the Local 6 area. Those parents needs someplace to turn and someone to talk to in the healing process.
A national organization called The Compassionate Friends is there to help and thanks to a local couple, our area is getting a local chapter.
Fran and Dean Taets lived in northwest Illinois and permanently moved to west Kentucky roughly one year ago. However, they visited the area for years following the death of their son, Shawn Williams.
Williams died at the age of 22 on March 11, 1995 when he got a ride from a friend who had been out drinking the night before.
"Shawn got in the car and they only got about a mile, mile and half and (the driver) lost control of the car and spun out and hit some trees and my son died right there on the scene," Fran Taets said.
At that moment Fran and Dean Taets' lives changed forever and sadly their story is not uncommon. Like so many across the country, parents can find hope and support with The Compassionate Friends. The goal of the group is to help parents cope with something others who haven't lost a child might never understand.
"And for parents, it's like, it almost won't compute and it doesn't matter if it's an instant death like we had or even a person whose child or children have died over years of illness. You're not ready," Fran said.
"It's that unnatural progression, I guess you could say. Your parents or grandparents or whatever should die first," Dean Taets added.
A conversation necessary for parents to have and now the Taets have started a local chapter of in west Kentucky for parents of any age who've lost a child.
"People who are 80 years old who lose their, you know, 50 year old son or daughter. They grieve just as much because it's unnatural for your child to die before you do," Dean said.
A couple working to ease the pain for others while coping with their own pain. Remember a son who left a lasting impression and a new direction for Fran and Dean.
The Taets just started the chapter, which meets in Grand Rivers, Ky. and is open to all parents who have had a child die.
For more information on the national organization, The Compassionate Friends, click here.
The Compassionate Friends Of The Four Rivers: If you lost a child of any age, feel free to join our meeting of The Compassionate Friends of the Four Rivers. We meet from 7-9 PM at the Community/Senior Center, 155 W Cumberland Ave, Grand Rivers, KY. We meet the third Thursday of each month (Dec. Date varies).
For more information contact Frances and Dean Taets at 270-217-4490 or email FourRiversCF@hotmail.com
Directions to meeting location: Exit 31 from I-24 either direction; Take KY-453 South 3.3 miles into Grand Rivers; Go left on W. Commerce Ave (then Patti's Settlement is on your left); At the stop sign take a right onto John O'Bryan Ave.; Take next right onto W. Cumberland; The Senior/Community Center is behind 1st KY Bank on right.
