害羞草研究所淓verybody has the right to die a good death.害羞草研究所�

When asked why she became a death doula, that was Janet O害羞草研究所橠ell害羞草研究所檚 害羞草研究所榠n a nutshell害羞草研究所� response.

O害羞草研究所橠ell, a longtime resident of Vancouver Island害羞草研究所檚 Comox Valley, traded in her dental assistant scrubs a few years ago, and returned to school, to pursue what she describes as a calling.

害羞草研究所淚t started with a little company (discovered online) called Doula Givers out of the USA and immediately thought 害羞草研究所榓h, that害羞草研究所檚 my calling - let害羞草研究所檚 see what Canada needs for requirements,害羞草研究所櫤π卟菅芯克鶟 said O害羞草研究所橠ell. 害羞草研究所淪o I took my course through Douglas College (in Vancouver). That was when I realized that I had been doing this for a whole long time - before I even knew what a death doula was.害羞草研究所�

She recalls the death of a friend as being a catalyst for this career change.

害羞草研究所淚 had a friend that passed away from cancer about nine years ago, and I witnessed her not-so-good death. She wanted to stay at home to die, which was her choice. But her family was very little and she didn害羞草研究所檛 have much support, and it was quite a gruesome death. I never want to see that for another person. So that害羞草研究所檚 where my passion came out.

害羞草研究所淭here is such a thing as a good death - if you plan for it.害羞草研究所�

O害羞草研究所橠ell describes a death doula as 害羞草研究所渘on-medical practitioners, who are trained and knowledgeable in supporting the dying, and their families, before, during and after death.害羞草研究所�

Death doulas offer everything from advanced care planning, and end-of-life guidance, to grief support and home death/funeral arrangements.

害羞草研究所淲e meet with our clients and discuss everything, all the planning,害羞草研究所� said O害羞草研究所橠ell. 害羞草研究所淲hat are your wishes? What do you want (to be) done with your body? We talk about creating legacies害羞草研究所� for families and loved ones left behind.害羞草研究所�

In addition to preparation, death doulas offer emotional support for the dying.

害羞草研究所淲e will sit, support, listen. We are confidants,害羞草研究所� said O害羞草研究所橠ell. 害羞草研究所淚 will meet them, joke with them, keep life in light, in a sense. We are companions. We are guiders. We will help families grieve, even at the time of the diagnosis - anticipatory grief.害羞草研究所�

O害羞草研究所橠ell acknowledges death is not an easy subject for many people. She wants to change that.

害羞草研究所淢y mission is to 害羞草研究所榝lip the script害羞草研究所� and transform how we think and talk about death,害羞草研究所� O害羞草研究所橠ell said. 害羞草研究所淭o encourage and empower others to speak about death. Being a death doula is an honour, it is fulfilling, it is my passion.

害羞草研究所淵ou害羞草研究所檙e going to die害羞草研究所� so plan for it.害羞草研究所�

O害羞草研究所橠ell害羞草研究所檚 company, Dynamic Journey, has been operating since May of this year. It is non-denominational.

害羞草研究所淢y philosophy is, as a death doula, I do not judge your choices, your actions, your desires, or your experience. I am here to support you in figuring out what makes sense for you; that may include decision-making, healing, processing, and more,害羞草研究所� she said. 害羞草研究所淲e can meet in public, at a park, or outside. We do Zoom meetings, phone calls, text messages - we are virtually everywhere.害羞草研究所�

O害羞草研究所橠ell said there has been a general surge in death doulas, and the pandemic is a major factor.

害羞草研究所淲hat we are seeing, is the medical industry is stressed,害羞草研究所� she said. 害羞草研究所淗ealth care workers, so many are taking leaves, or are burned out, or just retiring. We are in a crisis, and death doulas are filling in a void.害羞草研究所�

O害羞草研究所橠ell can be reached at her company害羞草研究所檚 website , or by phone at 250-792-3978.

terry.farrell@comoxvalleyrecord.com
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