Okanagan Mom Forges Hope From Heartbreak, Launches Vital Overdose Loss Support Group

There are moments in life that shatter everything you thought you knew, leaving an indelible mark. For Michelle Johnson, an Okanagan mom, such a moment arrived in May of 2023. Her son, Travis, just 27 years old, was taken from her far too soon, a casualty of the relentless overdose crisis. It’s a loss that, frankly, few can truly fathom unless they’ve lived it – a sudden, brutal emptiness that redefines your entire world.

The pain of losing a child is often described as the most profound sorrow a parent can endure. But when that loss is due to an overdose, it carries an additional, often isolating, layer of complexity. There’s the raw grief, yes, but often also a silent battle with stigma, misunderstanding, and the relentless "what ifs." Michelle found herself navigating this desolate landscape, desperately searching for a lifeline, a shared understanding that felt elusive in traditional grief settings.

She tried existing grief groups, hoping to find some solace, some connection. But, as she eloquently puts it, while all grief is valid, the specific nuances of losing a child to overdose often felt unspoken, unaddressed. It wasn't quite the same as other forms of loss. This realization sparked a profound decision within her: if such a space didn't exist, she would create it. She decided to channel her immense sorrow into something truly meaningful, a legacy for Travis and a haven for others.

And so, "Grief Shared" was born. This isn't just another support group; it's Michelle’s heartfelt answer to a desperate need. It's a sanctuary specifically designed for parents in the Okanagan who are grappling with the unthinkable – the loss of a child to an overdose. The very first meeting, held recently on June 18th in Penticton, marked the beginning of what she hopes will be a powerful, healing journey for many.

What Michelle envisions for "Grief Shared" is a space utterly free from judgment, a place where parents can speak openly about their child, their struggles, their enduring love, and the specific anguish of this type of loss. Imagine being able to sit with others who truly get it – who understand the specific guilt, the questions, the unique trajectory of grief that accompanies an overdose death. It's about peer support, a quiet nod of recognition, and the comforting knowledge that you are absolutely not alone in this harrowing experience.

In the shadow of a worsening overdose crisis, particularly here in British Columbia, such initiatives are more critical than ever. Fentanyl continues to claim lives, leaving behind shattered families and communities. Michelle's bravery in stepping forward, in turning her profound personal tragedy into a source of collective strength, offers a flicker of hope. She wants other parents to know they don't have to walk this incredibly difficult path in isolation. Her deepest wish is for the group to grow, to reach more grieving parents, and to foster a community where healing, however slow and painful, can genuinely begin.