B次元官网网址淓verybody has the right to die a good death.B次元官网网址�
When asked why she became a death doula, that was Janet OB次元官网网址橠ellB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址榠n a nutshellB次元官网网址� response.
OB次元官网网址橠ell, a longtime resident of Vancouver IslandB次元官网网址檚 Comox Valley, traded in her dental assistant scrubs a few years ago, and returned to school, to pursue what she describes as a calling.
B次元官网网址淚t started with a little company (discovered online) called Doula Givers out of the USA and immediately thought B次元官网网址榓h, thatB次元官网网址檚 my calling - letB次元官网网址檚 see what Canada needs for requirements,B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� said OB次元官网网址橠ell. B次元官网网址淪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.B次元官网网址�
She recalls the death of a friend as being a catalyst for this career change.
B次元官网网址淚 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 didnB次元官网网址檛 have much support, and it was quite a gruesome death. I never want to see that for another person. So thatB次元官网网址檚 where my passion came out.
B次元官网网址淭here is such a thing as a good death - if you plan for it.B次元官网网址�
OB次元官网网址橠ell describes a death doula as B次元官网网址渘on-medical practitioners, who are trained and knowledgeable in supporting the dying, and their families, before, during and after death.B次元官网网址�
Death doulas offer everything from advanced care planning, and end-of-life guidance, to grief support and home death/funeral arrangements.
B次元官网网址淲e meet with our clients and discuss everything, all the planning,B次元官网网址� said OB次元官网网址橠ell. B次元官网网址淲hat are your wishes? What do you want (to be) done with your body? We talk about creating legaciesB次元官网网址� for families and loved ones left behind.B次元官网网址�
In addition to preparation, death doulas offer emotional support for the dying.
B次元官网网址淲e will sit, support, listen. We are confidants,B次元官网网址� said OB次元官网网址橠ell. B次元官网网址淚 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.B次元官网网址�
OB次元官网网址橠ell acknowledges death is not an easy subject for many people. She wants to change that.
B次元官网网址淢y mission is to B次元官网网址榝lip the scriptB次元官网网址� and transform how we think and talk about death,B次元官网网址� OB次元官网网址橠ell said. B次元官网网址淭o encourage and empower others to speak about death. Being a death doula is an honour, it is fulfilling, it is my passion.
B次元官网网址淵ouB次元官网网址檙e going to dieB次元官网网址� so plan for it.B次元官网网址�
OB次元官网网址橠ellB次元官网网址檚 company, Dynamic Journey, has been operating since May of this year. It is non-denominational.
B次元官网网址淢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,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淲e can meet in public, at a park, or outside. We do Zoom meetings, phone calls, text messages - we are virtually everywhere.B次元官网网址�
OB次元官网网址橠ell said there has been a general surge in death doulas, and the pandemic is a major factor.
B次元官网网址淲hat we are seeing, is the medical industry is stressed,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淗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.B次元官网网址�
OB次元官网网址橠ell can be reached at her companyB次元官网网址檚 website , or by phone at 250-792-3978.
terry.farrell@comoxvalleyrecord.com
Like us on and follow us on
