John Bandeian
Bereaved Parent / Bereavement Support Group for Dads Facilitator
1) Describe briefly how you got involved with Empty Arms.
In April 2021, my partner and I were excitedly expecting our fourth child. Everything had been going great with the pregnancy. There were no complications. Our previous pregnancies had been fairly uneventful as well. At our 20-week ultrasound appointment, however, the floor dropped out. I was home with the kids, during the height of COVID, when I got the call from my partner who was almost non-verbal. A medical professional took the phone and informed me that our daughter did not have a heartbeat. The next three days were a blur of me trying to keep the family together and to support my wife. I was in shock. My partner delivered our baby girl, Nayiri Hope, and a very kind nurse gave us Carol's number. It wasn't like us to ask for help, but I called Carol anyway. She set up the cremation service for us and helped us make keepsakes of Nayiri's precious hands and feet. She informed us of various support groups, some of which my partner chose to attend. I went to a couple Zoom meetings, but mostly, I felt out of place. About six months later, I was really starting to implode and that is when Carol reached out to me about a "Dad's Group". I was hesitant to attend, but I forced myself to go anyway. That was the beginning of my healing process. I made so much progress with my brothers in loss that I became a convert to the support group model. After going through the six session course, I was asked to be a co-facilitator.
2) What makes you most proud of the work we do/What do you like most about Empty Arms?
The work I do for Empty Arms is extremely rewarding for me. Not only is it healing for me, it also affords me a way to honor my daughter, and to create a lasting legacy for her. She never got a chance to change this world, but through her memory, and our loss, I am able to help others in her name.
3) Share a passion in your life and/or work outside of EABS.
Outside of EABS I am a stay at home dad and solo practice attorney. My passion is my family and maintaining our old house and land.
John is located in Holyoke, MA.