TALKING & SHARING

TALKING & SHARING 

Like many others seem to have done, I watched the Rio Ferdinand documentary – Being Mum and Dad - on the BBC earlier this week. It was a devastatingly powerful piece and one which would illicit sympathy from even the hardest of natures. Rio lost his wife last year, just 10 weeks after she had diagnosed with cancer, and he now finds himself forced into the role of mum and dad to his three young children whilst trying to come to terms with the grief and sorrow of, not only his own pain, but of the children now bereft of a mother.

It was often a difficult watch as Rio does his utmost to face up to his harsh new reality but two things struck me most when viewing it. Firstly, how well he is actually doing in coping with such a tremendous loss, he is clearly a brilliant father to his young ones and it is testament to his strength of character that the bond remains as strong as ever. The other point I made during my watch was how important it is to talk through and seek support for such a life-changing event. 

Whilst I would never compare my challenges in life to what Rio is going through, it was striking how much I connected with the notion that talking and sharing your grief, your anger, your hurt with someone who has been through something similar can really resonate. Rio conversed with a group of dads who also lost their partners suddenly, he spoke to Darren Clarke, another high-profile sportsman who endured the same, and he met with charity groups providing excellent advice and support to not only adults but the children affected too. 

In many respects, this is one of my main drivers behind creating The Reinvention charity. I want people who have suffered life-changing injuries to know that there are others out there, people in similar situations who are perhaps further down the road on the recovery and reinvention journey and can give the advice and support to help in any way. 

Little ideas, such as Rio learning about the value of making a memories jar, can do so much and with The Reinvention, it could be highlighting different physio techniques, eating better or simply being an ear for someone’s fears and worries. Documentaries such as Rio’s serve to highlight how important it can be to open up, even just a little, and see that you are never alone on the journey you are taking. 

The Reinvention is here for you.

Share your thoughts on the Reinvention facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/THEREINVENTION1/

RIO FERDINAND DOCUMENTARY - BEING MUM & DAD:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b08kzclp/rio-ferdinand-being-mum-and-dad