Turning Loss into Legacy
By Brianna Lafferty & Dr. George Akerman 
 
Grief comes in many forms—through death, illness, identity loss, or dreams that never had the chance to unfold. In From Pain to Purpose, coauthors George Ackerman and Brianna Lafferty offer a deeply moving journey through grief, rooted in personal experiences with Parkinson’s, Myoclonus Dystonia, caregiving, and chronic illness.
 
With raw vulnerability and cross-cultural insight, this book explores how grief manifests emotionally, physically, and spiritually. George recounts the heartbreaking loss of his mother to Parkinson’s, while Brianna reflects on how chronic illness stole much of her youth, friendships, and independence—but ultimately deepened her path as a Death Doula and Transition Guide.
 
This book invites readers to:
Understand the full spectrum of grief—including non-death-related losses
Learn from rituals, beliefs, and mourning customs across global cultures
Discover how advocacy, storytelling, and ritual can transform pain into purpose
 
Whether you're a caregiver, grief professional, or someone carrying silent sorrow, From Pain to Purpose reminds us that healing is possible—and even the deepest losses can birth legacy.