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The Silent Hum Foundation
Our Articles


The Silent Hum Project: A Journey Through Fatherhood, Childhood Cancer, and Grief
Join Gus Greenslade on a raw and honest journey through fatherhood, childhood cancer, and grief. The Silent Hum Project is a space for stories of resilience, love, and finding strength in vulnerability. A must-read for anyone navigating loss in New Zealand.
Augustus Greenslade
Sep 183 min read


Comprehensive Local Grief Support in New Zealand
Grief is a quiet companion that arrives uninvited. It settles in the corners of our lives, sometimes loud and raw, other times soft and lingering. When illness, loss, or the challenges of neurodiversity touch a family, the path forward can feel overwhelming. I have walked this path and learned that no one should walk it alone. In Aotearoa, there is a growing network of support designed to hold families gently through these times. This post explores the landscape of local grie
Augustus Greenslade
3 days ago3 min read


Embracing Identity and Self-Discovery for Whānau Facing Childhood Illness and Los
Embracing identity and self-discovery is not a luxury topic at Silent Hum; it is core survival work for parents, siblings, and wider whānau living with childhood illness and loss in Aotearoa.
Augustus Greenslade
5 days ago4 min read


Crafting Compelling Personal Experience Narratives
Writing about deeply personal moments can feel like walking a tightrope. The balance between honesty and vulnerability, clarity and emotion, is delicate. Yet, when done well, these stories become bridges - connecting hearts, offering solace, and lighting the way through dark times. I want to share what I’ve learned about crafting personal stories tips that help transform raw experience into compelling narratives. These insights come from a place of quiet reflection and a desi
Augustus Greenslade
Nov 284 min read


Grief literacy, in real life: where this series has taken us
Explore how grief literacy helps whānau in Aotearoa name loss, support siblings, and navigate childhood illness together in this final Silent Hum series post.
Augustus Greenslade
Nov 274 min read


Why are we "The Silent Hum Foundation"
The Silent Hum steadies families in Aotearoa through illness, grief, and neurodiversity with practical support, honest resources, and whānau-centred care
Augustus Greenslade
Nov 262 min read


Supporting Siblings When a Child Is Unwell: A Guide for NZ Whānau
Introduction When one child is unwell, the whole house changes tempo. Daily plans bend around appointments, routines shift, and love gets pulled in new directions. In the middle of that pull sit brothers and sisters who carry a quiet load. Supporting Siblings When a Child Is Unwell: A Guide for NZ Whānau exists because their needs matter just as much as the care plans and clinic calls. We know the sibling bond is often the longest bond in life. A health crisis shakes that bon
Augustus Greenslade
Nov 2415 min read


Navigating Hospital Days: A Journey Through Childhood Cancer
A quiet reflection on the emotional weight of taking a child who cannot speak through chemotherapy and radiation. When understanding meets silence, every hospital corridor becomes a conversation without words—about courage, loss, and love beyond language.
Augustus Greenslade
Nov 195 min read


Listening & Being Present: Practices for Daily Use (Part 3 of 6) - Grief Literacy Series
Adults grieve differently within the same household. One may talk often; another may withdraw. Listening to each other’s patterns prevents misunderstanding. A simple check-in — “Would you like to talk or have quiet time tonight?” — maintains closeness even when coping styles diverge.'
Augustus Greenslade
Nov 122 min read


Finding Strength: A Grieving Father's Journey
The silence after loss is deafening. When a child is taken too soon, the world shifts beneath your feet. I have walked this path, a father grappling with grief that feels both endless and isolating. Yet, in the depths of sorrow, I found moments of strength. This is my story - a journey through father grief coping methods that helped me navigate the storm. Understanding Father Grief Coping Methods Grief is not a one-size-fits-all experience. For fathers, it often carries uniqu
Augustus Greenslade
Nov 104 min read


How Personal Experience Narratives Foster Growth
Life’s most profound lessons often come wrapped in stories. Stories that we tell ourselves and others. When facing the unimaginable challenge of childhood cancer and grief, these stories become lifelines. They help us navigate the stormy seas of emotion and uncertainty. I have found that sharing and listening to personal stories can be a gentle beacon, guiding us toward healing and growth. The Power of Personal Storytelling Benefits in Healing When I first encountered the har
Augustus Greenslade
Nov 34 min read


Finding Joy Amidst Childhood Cancer: Our Journey
When you're walking through childhood cancer, life becomes a mix of hospital rooms, brave smiles, and prayers whispered late at night. But sometimes — there’s sunshine, waves, laughter, and a small hand holding yours tightly at the beach. These small, simple moments? They’re everything. Especially for siblings like Skyelar — our glass children, quietly navigating the storm.
Augustus Greenslade
Nov 23 min read


Old Scars, New Flares: Returning to Starship and Facing PTSD-Triggered IBS
Walking back into the pediatric oncology ward where I once fought for my life, I didn’t expect my body to remember—so loudly. While supporting my child through chemo at Starship Children’s Hospital, the ghosts of past trauma resurfaced as gut-wrenching IBS flares. Here’s how PTSD triggered my IBS, why the gut remembers, and what’s helping me get through it.
Augustus Greenslade
Nov 26 min read


Finding Your Tribe: The Unseen Strength in a Father’s Grief Community
Fathers often grieve in silence, but community transforms isolation into strength. Finding Your Tribe explores how shared experience, practical support, and collective remembrance can help fathers navigate grief together.
Augustus Greenslade
Oct 284 min read


Why Words Matter When You’re Grieving (Part 2 of 6)
Discover how clear, honest language helps families navigate grief together. Part 2 of The Silent Hum's Grief Literacy series explores why naming loss with children builds understanding, safety, and connection. Essential reading for New Zealand families facing loss and seeking meaningful ways to communicate with their children.
Augustus Greenslade
Oct 274 min read


Finding Support on Mother's Day
Mother's Day can bring deep grief and ache for those who have lost. Learn how to find genuine support, honour your feelings, and navigate this emotionally complex day with compassion. A guide for grieving mothers and those supporting them in New Zealand and beyond.
Augustus Greenslade
Oct 274 min read


Navigating Grief as a Father
Grief as a father is a unique and often silent journey. Explore how fathers cope with the loss of a child, navigate identity shifts, and find resilience. Raw, honest reflections on fatherhood, loss, and the path to healing for New Zealand dads facing unimaginable pain.
Augustus Greenslade
Oct 204 min read


What Is Grief Literacy? (Part 1 of 6)
What does it mean to be 'literate' in grief? For families in NZ and beyond, grief literacy is the key to navigating loss with compassion. In part one of our series, we explore how understanding the language of grief can help us heal together and build resilient families.
Augustus Greenslade
Oct 165 min read


Navigating Grief as a Couple
Grief is a solitary journey, but it's one that couples must learn to navigate together. This article offers guidance for partners in NZ, exploring how to support each other through different grieving styles and maintain connection when facing the unimaginable.
Augustus Greenslade
Oct 155 min read


Discovering the Power of Personal Stories
Personal stories become lanterns in our darkest valleys. Discover the transformative power of sharing authentic narratives about childhood cancer and grief. Learn how storytelling creates connection, understanding, and hope for families navigating loss in New Zealand.
Augustus Greenslade
Oct 154 min read
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