A procedure where a doctor or other health care provider gives a person medications to intentionally and safely end their life. Its purpose is to stop the suffering of terminally ill and suffering adults.
For some people the concept of MAID is difficult to understand, but for the person requesting the service it is more than believable.
A person who has been diagnosed with a terminal illness experiences many different layers of emotional loss commonly accompanied by excruciating physical pain.
As a dying person continues to lose independence it is reported that it equates to yet another significant sense of loss. This is the loss of control of activities of daily living. Life carries on around them but they are no longer a participant in their own life.
The person suffering the decline often feels as if such a thing as simple as daily life is an out of body experience. The person begins to feel less than a shell of their former self.
When the suffering becomes intolerable, some people opt for the MAID procedure to access their right to a peaceful death.
There are many reasons that MAID could be an option for you or a loved one.
The simple fact is... making this choice requires support for the person and those around them. It requires a safe and judgment free place to receive information and conduct confidential conversations.
For those supporting the person who makes the choice:
Lots of discussion with those closest and often the friend/family member can put themselves in the persons place of not wanting to suffer
Initial calm discussion may occur but the tears will come. Some of the tears may be related to losing the person, some tears are knowing the person will no longer have to suffer
It is helpful for the person having the procedure to know friends/family have accepted their decision
Try to focus on the gratitude you have for the person having been in your life… "I have been lucky to know you…thank you”
Gratitude helps to switch the focus from the sadness of dying to the meaning of living
I love you is the other key message in supporting the person. Also, “we will be ok”
It is ok to acknowledge how hard this is for the family but add “this is so hard to lose you but I know you won't have to suffer anymore”
Support for family/friends:
As a Doula I will spend time with you, family member/friend, after the procedure to talk, reminisce this will not be “a let me know if I can help you" it will be “me being there for you at prearranged times” or I am a call away.
To learn more about working with a Doula, click here.
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