Choice.
We all value it, yet so often, it’s insidiously taken from us as our health declines or as we age.
Sometimes, it’s not intentional.
We slip into a medicalised system where, by default, our voices can become diluted or even dismissed.
The art of listening – deep listening – takes time and focus, in a health care environment where treatment is a priority rather than allocating the time to have these important conversations.
Increasingly, in my work as an End of Life Doula, I have individuals and families seeking my support – not only in the broader context of palliative care and end-of-life advocacy, but also as some are exploring, or choosing, Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) as a possible or actual end-of-life option.
Working with individuals and alongside their family, friends and their support workers and health professionals, my role as an EOLD is to support, guide, educate, deeply listen and hold space for the person irrespective of the choices they do and don’t make.
Ultimately, it is about individual choice. Informed choices.
And facilitating these important conversations, can – and does – make a difference to both the individual, their family and those providing healthcare services.
