Beth Barber

An Autobiographical Scrapbook for Terminally Ill Children: a Guide to Processing Death Beth Barber

The loneliest of children are those who know of their fate, but cannot discuss their future due to adults' inability or unwillingness to communicate. Due to several misconceptions, children?s capabilities and knowledge surrounding their illness are often underestimated, leading to excessive and avoidable levels of psychological distress and confusion. The goal of this scrapbook is to increase cohesiveness, openness, and honesty among family members when faced with childhood terminal illness. One page at a time, the aim is to enable children to be heard, understood, and remembered, while simultaneously providing parents with the assurance that they did all they could, possessing a tangible remembrance of their children?s lives. Through several means such as photographs, drawings, and letters from loved ones, children will have a visible legacy to express their emotions, comprehend their world, and obtain control during their illness.