My name is Carolyn. I am a retired mental health nurse having worked in Child and Adolescent Mental Health for 40 years. I retired in May of 2016 and shortly thereafter my amazing son, Jesse, then 26, was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive lymphoma.

That fall and into the winter of 2017, various chemotherapies were attempted, however nothing was able to cure his condition. In February, we were given the news that there was nothing more that could be done. He knew he wanted to live his final weeks to the fullest, embracing life and spending time with family and friends.

As his symptoms became harder to manage and we went from one crisis to the next, Jesse knew he could no longer continue to live in a way that was meaningful for him. MAID was still in its infancy at that time having just been approved in June 2016. With guidance, he spoke with his palliative care doctor and was approved.

On a beautiful spring day in April of 2017 Jesse died peacefully on his own terms at home with his family and a close friend by his side. His MAID experience allowed him to approach his death with purpose, intent and dignity and allowed him to live as fully as his condition allowed until he no longer could.

There was no support offered to the family following Jesse’s death and as MAID was so new; there was no one to talk to who had that shared experience. I am thrilled to be offer families peer support for what is the most difficult experience a parent can ever experience, the death of their child. Bearing the unbearable with support is critically important at such a time. Thank you to MAID Family Support Society for being there for families in need of support. I am honoured to be a member of the volunteer group.

I am forever grateful that Jesse was given the opportunity to die at home rather than as the result of yet another crisis. His death inspired me years later to go on to become an end-of-life doula.