The Baskin Family

In spring 2014, life as the Baskin family knew it, changed forever. JJ Baskin, a healthy 48 year-old, received the unexpected news that he had Stage IV lung cancer. Fortunately, JJ knew of Wonders & Worries through friends who had used their services.

Baskin Family Photo

JJ and his wife, Joy, immediately called Wonders & Worries to seek help for their two boys, Ben and Judge, ages 11 and 8, respectively, at the time of diagnosis. JJ and Joy turned to Wonders & Worries for support and guidance to help the boys understand their father’s illness and treatment.

Although this journey is a hard one, we can trust the inherent strength of our children to grow, learn, and deepen their own faith and characters as they walk this path.

Child life specialist Corinne first met alone with JJ and Joy. She listened to their stories and offered an assurance that remains with Joy to this day. “Although this journey is a hard one, we can trust the inherent strength of our children to grow, learn, and deepen their own faith and characters as they walk this path,” Joy recalls. Through individual sessions, Corinne met with Ben and Judge throughout the year of JJ’s treatment. She taught them how to cope with their father’s illness and to understand the changes occurring in their family. The boys also attended Camp Kesem, a nationwide camp led by passionate college leaders, supporting children through and beyond their parent’s cancer.

Since JJ’s passing in spring of 2015, Ben and Judge, now 13 and 10, continue to meet with Corinne as needed. The boys have always appreciated the comfortable and secure environment that Wonders & Worries provides. The boys can just be themselves and discuss openly about their own experiences by answering candid questions that most friends and family are unable to ask. “Corinne remains a resource for me, as well, answering the hard questions with clarity and purpose,” Joy says.

I hope you never need their services, but if you do, you could not ask for more knowledgeable, sensitive, and steadfast support.

Wonders & Worries provided support and encouragement to the Baskin family through their father’s treatment and now offers bereavement services to Joy, Ben and Judge. When asked about advice Joy would give to those who are unfamiliar with Wonders and Worries, she says, “I hope you never need their services, but if you do, you could not ask for more knowledgeable, sensitive, and steadfast support.”

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