Since early childhood, I have always had an unusual curiosity for all aspects of Spirituality; perhaps it wasn’t surprising that by my mid-20’s I found myself supporting friends and colleagues whose life was being cut short by illness or accident. It was then that I felt a strong, unrelenting call to work in “end of life support”. I remember at that time thinking how curious it was to be called at my early age to a vocation in death; but called I was.
For a few years after this first initial calling or realization, I kept myself busy living life, making other career choices, traveling and living in different parts of the globe, but in the end, I finally surrendered and embraced this unusual calling to serve those at end of life.
After completing a Master's Degree in Education and a Master's Degree in Divinity, with a special interest in World Religions and non-traditional Spirituality, I began to pursue training in a variety of counseling modalities and also thanatology (the study of death and the losses from death)
I began my specialized training in Spiritual Health in 1999 completing over 2,000 hours of supervised training. I then went on for further training to become a Clinical Specialist in end of life, bereavement, medical assistance in dying support and bereavement support. I have worked in University and Community Hospitals, specialized Cancer treatment Centres and Long Term Care facilities in many Canadian Provinces.
In addition to supporting home deaths, as of late, since 2017, after the legalization of Medical Assistance in Dying, I have supported numerous individuals as they navigate and find their way to see if this choice is right for them. I will act as a companion or support person as you begin exploring this option for end of life, during the procedure itself as a support on the day for your family and friends and finally to support family and friends after the death of the MAiD recipient.