The Citizen, 2007-12-06, Page 7“An unearthly sound begins from
somewhere deep within, a sound that
I do not recognize as coming from
me. It starts low and escalates and
resonates with every soul, ancient
and new, on this earth that has ever
lost a child.”
Five years ago Patty Banks of
Walton lost her younger son,
Geoffrey, in an ATV crash. Her
book, Please Don’t Tell Me My Son
is Dead, is a memoir of the year that
followed.
No one would disagree that the
grief and agony of losing a child is
overwhelming. But there is no right
or wrong path in the journey such a
tragedy forces you to take. It is
personal and each must find their
own way through the suffering.
For Banks part of that was through
writing. “It began as therapy.
“I’ve always enjoyed writing and
over the months after Geoffrey died,
so many thoughts were coming to
me that as horrible as it was, it was
easy to write.”
Banks set a deadline of one year
for her book, which she stuck with.
But it took another four years to
take the next step. “All of a sudden it
clicked that I have to get this done.”
Working on the book, Banks felt
blessed by the people who came into
her life during that time. One woman
who had experience with publishing
helped her with such things as
formatting. And a former teacher of
Geoffrey’s, Laura Scott, helped to
edit the book. “I asked her and she
said she’d be honoured.”
Seeing the book in print, Banks
felt, would have meant a sense of
jubilation. That was not the case.
Through tears, she says, “I had spent
so much time in this and once I saw
it, it was like I had to say goodbye. It
felt as if I was leaving him, that now
I had to move on.”
Those feelings have eased
somewhat, and Banks is now
thinking ahead to her next project, a
book that would offer people a
chance to essentially monitor theirthoughts and emotions whengrieving. It was a process that helped herand she hopes that her idea could
benefit anyone experiencing tragedy
and the pain that accompanies it.
The same can be said for her
recent publication. Please Don’t Tell
Me My Son is Dead is a deeply
personal account, that chroniclesBanks’s journey through stages ofanger, torment, self-pity andgrudging acceptance of a newexistence. Sharing this story, which
is both agonizing and inspirational
with others is a way in which she
may help others.
“I hope that this can bring some
peace to others going through the
same thing, to read that someoneelse has felt the way they do. But I’dalso like the book to help those onthe outside, those who have neverknown this kind of loss, to better
understand.”
Please Don’t Tell Me My Son is
Dead is available at The Citizen in
Blyth and Brussels or by calling
Banks at 519-887-6156.
THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2007. PAGE 7.
Remembering
Walton writer Patty Banks recently published a tribute to
her late son Geoffrey, who died five years ago, the result of
an ATV crash. The book, says Banks, is a collection of her
thoughts and feelings through the grieving process, which
she hopes will in turn help others experiencing the same
thing. (Bonnie Gropp photo)
Local woman publishes personal journey
The Huron County Health Unit is
concerned about the low numbers of
people getting the flu shot this year.
Even though influenza is already
present in Ontario, it is not too late
to be immunized.
Medical officer of health Beth
Henning says numbers are generally
low across the county. She says the
health unit is particularly concerned
that health care institutions are
reporting low coverage rates for
health care providers.
“It is critically important for
healthcare providers to get the flu
shot to protect their own health and
the health of the clients they serve.
Like washing hands, it’s a way of
ensuring infection is not spread. An
individual can spread the influenza
virus for 48 hours before personally
experiencing symptoms.”
Dr. Henning says earlier reports
that this year’s vaccine is a poor
match were premature. “This year’s
influenza vaccine is expected to be
a good match. It would be
unfortunate if earlier reports
suggesting otherwise is the reason
people are not getting their flu
shot.”
Dr. Henning goes on to say that
it’s not too late to get a flu shot this
year. While the community flu shot
clinics are over now, people can ask
their health care provider for the free
flu shot. They can also contact the
health unit for Health Link clinic
hours by calling 519-482-3416 or
check the website at
www.huroncounty.ca/health.
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By Bonnie Gropp
The Citizen
Vaccine rates need shot in the arm