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WHY WOULD WE CHOOSE THIS? Dr. Rebecca Valla on the Spiritual Purpose of Difficult Life Situations
Description
This is Dr. Valla's second appearance on Grief 2 Growth. In May 2020, Dr. Valla and I spoke about healing our inner child within. In this episode, we focus on difficult life situations. Are they planned? If so, why would we do that?!
The topic of this episode was inspired by the origin of Dr. Valla's work, which is working with disabled children. Why would a person choose to have a disabled child? Why would someone choose to come to this planet disabled?
Rebecca is a Psychiatrist, has been a lifelong spiritual seeker, and has also been involved for nearly 10 years with IANDS, an organization devoted to Near-Death and related Experiences. She has worked extensively with developmentally disabled children and adults, both before and after her training as a Psychiatrist.
There is a grief experience that is very common when a child is born with a disability. Sometimes, that child's developmental problem isn't known at birth but becomes known at a later time. The grief appears whenever loved ones realize that their child will have a growth path that is not as expected for most of their peers.
Sometimes, their survival is not assured or is thought to be shortened for the long term. Sometimes they require a great deal of care both medically and to meet their basic survival needs at home, which requires intense
adjustment on the part of family and others. Some situations require a decision at some point along the way, as to whether the child can best be cared for in the home. There may be talk of a need for "institutionalized" care. The poignancy of the pain of these families may obscure the opportunities for growth, love and connection, and joy. There is a process of healing and learning that demands work, and brings with it the experience of self-discovery and personal expansion.
ℹ️ https://www.rebeccasvallamd.com
You've been listening. You're doing the work. But there's still this feeling that you're circling the same place.
Maybe you've thought about working with me one-on-one. Maybe something's held you back.
I get that. And I want you to know there's still a place for you.
All of it, pay what you want. You decide what it's worth. Nobody gets turned away because of money.
The International Association for Near-Death Studies or IANDS will host its annual conference at the Hyatt Regency in Bellevue. The event features an all-star lineup of keynotes like Proof of Heaven Author Eben Alexander, MD, and Dying to Be Me Author Anita Moorjani. I Early bird registration rates are available through July 15.
Visit IANDS.org to register
The International Association for Near-Death Studies or IANDS will host its annual conference at the Hyatt Regency in Bellevue. The event features an all-star lineup of keynotes like Proof of Heaven Author Eben Alexander, MD, and Dying to Be Me Author Anita Moorjani. I Early bird registration rates are available through July 15.
Visit IANDS.org to register
Want to go deeper? My Substack is where I share solo essays on grief, consciousness, and continuing bonds — thoughts that don't always make it into the podcast. It's also home to a community of listeners who get it, because they're living it too. Free to subscribe. Find it at substack.com/grief2growth.
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