Alienated grandmother wants to form support group

One year after Caroline Deyo lost visitations with her grandchildren, she has decided to help other grandparents in the same situation with a support group through Alienated Grandparents Anonymous, Inc. (AGA).

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2016-04-11 / Front Page Alienated grandmother wants to form support group By Nancy A. Cavanaugh ncavanaugh@eagletimes.com SPRINGFIELD — One year after Caroline Deyo lost visitations with her grandchildren, she has decided to help other grandparents in the same situation with a support group through Alienated Grandparents Anonymous, Inc. (AGA). Last year was the last time the Deyos saw their two grandchildren. Their son and the children’s mother separated and he lost visitation rights to the children, which led to the Deyos losing visitation rights as well. “My grandson is nearly five now, he loved us dearly,” Deyo said. “It’s devastating. You are told you don’t have any rights. “The last day we saw him, I had a feeling he would be taken away from us,” she continued. “I had tears in my eyes. He said to me, ‘Don’t cry. Be a big girl. I’ll make sure Momma brings me back.’ I tear up when I think about it.” Around the same time, her husband Bob suffered a heart attack and has been in rehabilitation since. “I never thought I’d be lonely, but I am. I miss my husband,” Deyo said. “It can lead to depression, but I’m an active person so it doesn’t affect me as much. I’m a ‘just do it’ person.” Being able to help other grandparents gives her focus. “It haunts me. He wants his grandparents and we want to be in their life. That I can be helping others is taking the hurt away,” she continued. “I have been through this, I understand the heartache other grandparents feel.” Deyo, who was born in Bellows Falls, lived in five foster homes and the New England Kurn Hattin Homes in Westminster in her youth. Not having had a family left her with a strong sense of the importance of family. “I believe in family. I’m fighting for families,” she said. She discovered AGA online and contacted the organization about starting support groups in New Hampshire and in Vermont. AGA is nonprofit organization located in Naples, Florida that was started in 2011. The organization helps establish support groups for alienated grandparents by providing resources to help grandparents cope with the loss of their grandchildren and a place where grandparents can feel validated and not so alone. “I’m waiting for them to mail me a list of people in New Hampshire and Vermont,” said Deyo. “I’m hoping after the New Hampshire group starts, someone will take it over so I can focus on the Vermont one. I’m sure we will make other cell groups.” Those interested in joining the support group can email Deyo at rhemaword@comcast.net. For more information about AGA, visit their website at www.aga-fl.org.