This is a beautiful story in the LA Times today - about Gabriella Walsh and her decision to use Medical Aid in Dying after finding massive tumors from breast cancer. Her life, her choice and on her own terms.
One Last Trip - Read Here
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I realized I hadn't shared where I got Soar Eternally Free from. So, story time!
I was trying to think of a name for myself and my EOL business - it seemed all the logical and good names where taken already. I just sat tossing names out and free associating for over an hour before I hit on Crow - crow - fly - crows soar.... Dumb... D'oh ... Christina *homer simpsons do'h* It took me way to long to figure this no brainer out and it made me laugh. When my brother died in 1997, we were at the funeral home getting things set up and it came to deciding what to put on the urn for his ashes. The usual, "RIP," or "forever in our hearts," did not fit my brother at all. I asked if it could wait for the moment and left it at that. Moments after he was cremated we all stepped outside for fresh air and I looked up over the crematory stack and saw several jets pluming as they flew by. From my angle it looked like they flew right through the smoke and I said something like, "Houston we have lift off," to sort of break the horrible grief and sobbing tears. We all laughed but the image of Tommy, Soaring Eternally Free stayed with me. I used it in my memorial speech for him and I also asked the funeral home to put that on his Urn. Now I use it whenever I express my condolences to someone who has had a loved one die. It is also how I see myself during my last breath on Earth. Paused on a high cliff, in the desert at sunset, waiting to Soar. So that is the story and it is why I am here. We may not want to talk about our last moments or last breaths but I think it is best to talk, to plan, to be ready ... to soar. I cannot think of a better day to have completed the first part of my training and trying to come up with a succinct "elevator pitch," to share what I do with people.
Death isn't a medical event. Most people want to die at home and instead, end up in a hospital. Waiting to plan for a medical emergency in a medical emergency is never a good idea. Take the control now and plan the way you want things to be - don't leave it up to family who may be too distraught and confused to think clearly. That is one of the reasons I am here. I can help. ---------------------------------------------------- When is this day celebrated? April 20 What is Death Doula Day? The day is set aside for Death Doulas to engage their communities bringing awareness to the profession and benefits for patients and families. An End of Life Doula is a non-medical person trained to care for someone holistically (physically, emotionally, and spiritually) at the end of life. This day is created to raise awareness about the profession of Death Doulas and how they can benefit patients and families at end of life. Death Doulas provide the additional support that families need in order to feel comfortable with taking care of their dying loved one at home. They are non-medical professionals that provide holistic support for the dying and their loved ones before, during, and after death. Trained in the various end of life stages, a Doula is able to assist the family with understanding the natural processes while providing comfort and support. This is the day where all Death Doulas can rise together and be a voice for social change at end of life, ensuring everyone has he most positive passing possible. How should this day be celebrated or observed? On Death Doula Day we encourage the conversation about the profession of Death Doulas. This can be done anywhere in anyway. Have fun with it! Post/tweet/market/share, have a discussion panel, show a documentary, give a training, host a Death Café – Anything to do with end of life. |
What we do in life echoes in eternity
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