The Unseen Pain of Sibling Loss with Annie Sklaver Orenstein

“I've still never seen Avatar."

In this powerful episode of Grief'd Up, host Rebecca Feinglos sits down with Annie Sklaver  Orenstein, author of Always a Sibling: The Forgotten Mourners Guide to Grief. Annie shares her  deeply personal journey through the unexpected loss of her brother, Ben, who was killed by a  suicide bomber in Afghanistan in 2009.  

Rebecca and Annie discuss how sibling grief is often the least recognized form of familial grief.  They highlight the concept of "forgotten mourners" and discuss why sibling loss is rarely given  the same attention as the loss of a parent or child. Annie opens up about her close relationship  with her brother, and the profound impact his death had on her life. She describes the unique  challenges she faced as a sibling mourner, including the lack of resources and support available  at the time. 

Annie talks about the role of community and connection in her grieving process and how writing  her book became a way to not only process her own grief, but also to help others who are going  through similar experiences. She also shares her process of blending personal narrative with  research in her book, offering a comprehensive guide for those grieving a sibling, and provides  insights into the lack of research on sibling loss. 

And, yes, they talk about Avatar. You’ll just have to tune in to find out why…

Connect with Annie:
● Instagram:@anniesklaverorenstein
● Always a Sibling: The Forgotten Mourner's Guide to Grief by Annie Sklaver Orenstein —
Available wherever books are sold.
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Follow for more resources:
● Instagram: @grieveleave
● Website: grieveleave.com
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