40 Paula Hill: How Losing Her Young Adult Son In a Motorcycle Crash Inspired Her to Help Other Parents Navigate Their Grief

When Paula lost her oldest son Austin in a motorcycle accident, she was sent reeling into a world of grief that seemed incomprehensible. Despite the jarring reality of Austin’s loss, Paula began to put together foreshadowing clues —some even coming from Austin himself — predicting her son’s imminent transition.

As Paula grieved, she became aware of some of the aspects of the aftermath that no one really talks about… like the sheer exhaustion, both emotionally and physically, of dealing with the large number of people that gather around when tragedy happens. Or the paperwork aspect when trying to process a life insurance claim. Paula realized that when young adults like her son pass unexpectedly, there are few resources to help parents to cope with all the overwhelming aspects of death.

Not one to sit stuck in her grief, Paula was determined to use her sorrow as a starting point to launch her nonprofit called, “Austin’s Sunshine Foundation,” which provides all kinds of important resources for grieving parents. Paula realized that grieving young adult children who pass without warning is different from those of a terminal illness, and the parents of these children have unique needs. There she found her new mission in life.

Like many grieving mothers, Paula has decided to use her heartbreak for good, seeking to help other parents touched by tragedy to find a way to go on, and eventually, to find joy in the legacies their beloved kids have left behind.

Resources

Suicide Hotline: 1(800) 273-8255 or text 988
Hospice & Community Care: (717) 735-9661
Cope Foundation: https://copefoundation.org/grief-resources/
A Walk With Faith: Surviving the Death of a Child: https://faiths.me/awalkwithfaith

Connect With Paula and Faith

Paula Hill:

Facebook Profile: https://www.facebook.com/BPHill1215

Facebook page for Austin’s Sunshine Foundation: https://www.facebook.com/AustinsSunshine

Faith Sage:

FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/faith.sage
Website: www.faithsage.net
The Healing Huddle: www.healinghuddle.com