Empowering, educating and supporting your unique end-of-life journey
Hi, I’m Debra.
My philosophy is that death happens in ‘one’ moment in time. Until the exact moment that death comes (as it will for all of us); there is a gamut of emotions that ebb & flow, there is a need to navigate & adapt to changing health circumstances, and there is still living to be done.
“While dying is inevitable,
dying poorly ought not to be.”
Dr. Harvey Chochinov
While many of us may wish life followed a perfect, linear path, often that’s not the case. And it can be those detours that shape who we become and the path we find ourselves on. I became a certified End-of-Life Doula (also known as a Death Doula), having trained at both Douglas College (and the Institute for Traditional Medicine) after experiencing firsthand the impact of making end-of-life decisions on my husband’s behalf after a series of heart attacks rendered him incapable of speaking or deciding for himself what kind of care he’d accept or appreciate.
In addition to my work as an End-of-Life Doula, I’m a Willow EOL Educator™. Being a Willow EOL Educator™ allows me to support others with heart-centred and pragmatic end-of-life planning. I do this by leading workshops and coaching sessions using Willow’s tested workshop curriculums, and tools.
I believe in service as a way of life, and spend some of my free-time hours volunteering in various roles with the Sunshine Coast Hospice Society, and as a Crisis Responder at Kids Help Phone. I have attended Dr. Harvey Chochinov’s Dignity Therapy training whose approach is in maintaining dignity in care while preserving the emotional and psychological needs of the dying.
I know from personal experience and from working with others that having someone to guide you and your circle of care on what you can expect each step of the way, one who creates a safe and judgment-free space where you can voice your thoughts, concerns and questions is important. I believe that each one of us can design our life departure with dignity & clarity.
I take an inclusive, judgement-free and heart-centred approach to end-of-life care, support, and education.
I support you and your loved ones in walking to the gate together.
Dignity + Values
You may have just received a diagnosis of a life-limiting disease and have questions about your personal care outside of the medical diagnosis.
Dignity is important to you. You worry about autonomy, privacy (i.e. how you are seen by others, such as your appearance & cleanliness), and being a burden to others.
You want to have frank conversations about what dying with dignity means to you and are interested in refining your end-of-life priorities to align with your core values.
Mature + Organized
My guess is you’re mature and organized. You likely have a will and power of attorney (and perhaps a ‘do not resuscitate’ order) and often feel confident that this is enough to take care of your business matters. You are culturally competent and diverse and believe that there is something more to dying than just the physical.
Legacy + Companionship
Legacy and remembrance are important to you, and you would like some help in articulating your wishes.
You may be lonely, as your loved ones may not live close by, and you are looking for companionship and support from someone who can talk about the hard stuff that no one else will. You’re seeking resources and tools to help articulate your hopes, wishes, and fears about dying and your after-death care.
Communication + Consideration
You believe in the right to choose and may be a strong advocate for Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) — although you may not be sure it’s right for you. You have many questions about the process and who qualifies for MAiD. You want to formalize instructions and guidelines for your chosen future decision-makers and also want to understand the key factors that shape choices when considering your final wishes.
You may have some unresolved family challenges, and understand that you may need to bring all those relationships into the present day so that nothing is left unsaid. You understand that having a ‘current’ relationship does not solve everything, but it does allow for dying with dignity.
I’m here to help
Through compassionate and personalized support, you'll be guided and empowered to choose your own unique end-of-life journey that is fully aligned with your values.