I’m lost after my wife’s death following a car accident

DEAR DEIDRE: AFTER years in a persistent vegetative state following a car accident, my wife died.

Since then, I’ve felt stuck. I feel like I can’t move on with my life.

I’m 38 and my wife was 37 when she died last year. We were married for 10 years.

She was severely injured in a hit and run four years ago, and never recovered.

But even though she wasn’t able to communicate or recognise me or any of her family, at least she was there, and we could visit and sit by her bed and talk to her. 

Now she is gone forever and I am totally bereft. 

I don’t know what to do with myself each day. I had to give up my career after her accident, and we never had the children we’d planned. 

I know she’d want me to live a happy life without her, but I just don’t know how to.

I miss her so much. Please help.

DEIDRE SAYS: Grief can be overwhelming. The pain is so intense that you can’t imagine ever feeling normal or happy again.

It’s particularly hard when someone dies so young and in such tragic circumstances. 

Please believe that although life will never be the same, you will start to feel better and able to function.

See my support pack Coping With Bereavement and consider contacting a grief counsellor (details of how to make contact are inside), they can help you to process your feelings.

If you feel depressed, talk to your GP.