KIM’S PATCH
Kimberly Thornton lived in Mahopac with her parents and younger brother. In the beginning of the 6th grade, she was diagnosed with leukemia. She was admitted into the hospital and immediately started on chemotherapy. This disease took over her entire body and slowly ate it away. Kim lost her hair, but she didn’t lose hope or faith.
She fought and fought for almost two years, but on July 14, 1980, when Kim was only 13, her suffering came to an end. Not only was Kim’s death a great loss to her family, but also a great loss to us. We lost that beautiful smile andall the knowledge and potential she carried with her. When I look back now, I remember the fire in Kin that could light up anyone and everyone that she encountered. She was smart, fun loving, unique, caring, brave…
Karen Savir, Kim’s friend and sister Girl Scout
Kim was an active Girl Scout for seven years and was registered for her eighth year. She enthusiastically participated in all Girl Scout fund raising and earned numerous patches and badges. She earned three Roman Catholic religious awards in her Girl Scouting years. She enjoyed camping and Girl Scout trips, and looked forward to applying for wider opportunities. Kim was eager to take advantage of all Girl Scouting offered her, whether it was for fun, education, enrichment, assistance to others, or for living in today’s world.
Objective: To increase awareness of one’s attitude and feelings concerning loss and to help girls to be open, honest and comfortable when discussing this issue.
Daisy Girl Scouts: The troop leader may choose a book from the enclosed bibliography that is age-appropriate and read it to the troop. Follow up with a troop discussion on loss.
Brownie Girl Scouts: Complete the bolded requirements.
Junior Girl Scouts: Complete the bolded requirements plus three additional (total of 8)
Cadette & Ambassador Girl Scouts: Complete the bolded requirements plus 5 additional (total of 10)
PATCH REQUIREMENTS
1. With your troop, talk about or tell a story about the loss of something or someone very close to you, such as a pet, a family member or a friend.
- Discuss a book, such as Charlotte’s Web, see a film, attend a play, or role play using a skit that deals with a loss.
- Listen to news stories and identify ways people cope with loss, Share this with your troop. OR Rewrite or retell a news story with feelings dealing with loss.
- Write a story or poem, or make a drawing about a loss or fear of a loss.
- Invite a health care professional to a meeting to find out about how he/she helps people cope with loss.
- Invite different religious leaders to a troop meeting to discuss and share their understanding, practices, ceremonies and customs relating to death and dying.
- Discuss with your parent(s) or other family members, the cultural /religious customs of bereavement observed in your family.
- Identify a local organization and a national organizartion that deals with bereavement. Explain how they help.
- Give an example of how loss is dealt with in the music, entertainment and art world.
- Reach out to someone who has suffered a loss and do something nice such as, write a letter, visit, help prepare a meal, bring a covered dish, send flowers, baby sit or run errands.
- Learn the meaning of “euphemism” and give several examples of how we use euphemisms in our everyday life. When do we use euphemisms for death or dying?
- make a list of helpful sentences to say to someone who has had a personal loss. Express these feelings in a letter.
- With your troop, discuss who yu would go to for support and comfort. Why? What would that person do to make you feel better?
- By speaking with a hospice volunteer, find out what he/she does.
- Talk with someone who has suffered a loss. Find out how she/he coped. What did she/he find especially helpful?
The Visiting Nurse Services of Westchester/Hospice White Plains Hospital Center offers 21/2 hour training sessions for leaders wishing to do Kim’s Patch. This patch was developed in cooperation with this organization.
Bibliography
Ages under 8.
Brown, M. The Dead Bird. Depicts a group of children who find a dead bird and how they respond, including their ideas on death, funerals and rituals.
Buscaglia, L. The Fall of Freddie the Leaf. Freddie and the other leaves on the tree wonder what it will belike to die. Follows the seasons.
Coutant, H. The First Snow. A Vietnamese girl comes to understand death as a part of life.
Dodge, N. & Sister Jane Lamb. Story about rabbits.
Fassler, J. My Grandpa Died Today. A young boy learns to accept death.
Smith, D.B. A Taste of Blackberries. How a boy faces losing his friend.
Varley, S. Badger’s Parting Gift. Story about badger’s legacies to his friends.
Viorst, J. The Tenth Good Thing About Barney. A boy attempts to say 10 good things at his cat’s funeral.
Ages 12 and up.
Agee, J. A Death in the Family. The effects of the sudden death of a father. Told by the son.
Blume, J. Tiger Eyes. A teenage girl deals with the murder of her father.
Carner, C. Tawny, A 12 yr old boy adjusts to the death of his brother by tending to a doe.
Cleaver, V. & B. Where the Lilies Bloom. A 14 yr old Appalachian girl tells her family reaction when her father dies.
Garden, N. The Loners.
Gunther, J. Death Be Not Proud. Biographical. Gunther’s son’s failing battle with cancer.
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