In our Inspiring Stories category, today we are honoured to publish a brief summary of work of David J. Roberts, LMSW, from the USA, who is doing an exemplary work of providing information, support, and resources to individuals and families who have suffered the death of a child or other catastrophic losses.
We thought his work could be relevant to the mothers/ families who experience bereavement during pregnancy or post-childbirth period.
David is a retired addiction professional and an adjunct professor in the psychology department at Utica College in Utica, New York, USA.
Sadly, David experienced the death of a child when his daughter Jeannine died of cancer (alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of cancer that affects connective muscle tissue) on 3/1/03 at the age of 18.
He is the founder of Bootsy and Angel Books, LLC, whose mission is to provide resources for individuals who have experienced any type of loss.
David is a featured speaker, workshop facilitator, and coach for Aspire Place, LLC.
He is also the chapter leader for The Compassionate Friends of the Mohawk Valley, whose mission is to provide support to families who have experienced the death of a child, of any age and from any cause.
David has been a past workshop facilitator at national conferences for The Compassionate Friends. He has also been a past workshop facilitator and keynote speaker at national gatherings of The Bereaved Parents of the USA.
He is passionate about making a positive impact on the students whom he teaches and on those individuals who have experienced the death of a loved one.
He has contributed well over 100 articles to the Huffington Post blog, Open to Hope Foundation, The Grief Toolbox, Recovering the Self Journal and Medium. One of Dave’s articles, My Daughter is Never Far Away, can also be found in Open to Hope: Inspirational Stories of Healing and Loss. Excerpts from Dave’s article for The Open to Hope Foundation, called The Broken Places were featured in the 2012 Paraclete Press DVD video, Grieving the Sudden Death of a Loved One.
David has also co-authored two short books with Linda Findlay of Mourning Discoveries on navigating through grief during the holidays and pet loss. More information can be found here
He has appeared on numerous radio and internet broadcasts and Open to Hope Television. Dave was also part of a panel in 2016 for the BBC Podcast, World Have Your Say, with other grief experts, discussing the death of Carrie Fisher.
Here is a brief overview of Dave’s story:
David lives in Whitesboro, New York with his wife Cheri. They have two grown sons, Dan and Matt, and three grandchildren.
You can get in touch with Dave in the following ways:
Website: Bootsy and Angel Books, LLC
E-mail: bootsyandangel@gmail.com
Facebook: Dave Roberts
Twitter: Dave Roberts
Instagram: Username: daver3103
Linkedin: David Roberts
YouTube: Bootsy and Angel