Digital Stories Project
Understanding the experiences of those who accompanied someone throughout their dying process using medical assistance in dying.
​​​​
Digital Stories: Part 3
MAID Family Support Participants
In the final part of this three-part episode, hosts Kathy and Keri speak with Krystle Scofield and Maureen Leier, facilitators of the digital story workshops. We also hear from six participants who created digital stories about their experiences accompanying someone on their MAiD journey. These participants were recruited by MAID Family Support Society, a not-for-profit corporation and charity that offers one-to-one peer support for those supporting someone choosing MAID or grieving a MAID loss. You can learn more about the digital story creators showcased in this episode and watch their stories on our website: or on our YouTube channel: . You can also learn more about the facilitators, Krystle Scofield and Maureen Leier, here: . Music for Disrupting Death was created by the ever-lovely Sarah McInnis. Sarah is a music therapist, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and End-of-Life Doula. In 2021, Sarah began The Legacy Song Project, writing original songs for folks at the end of life and for folks who have lost loved ones. To learn more about Sarah, visit her website: . This episode of Disrupting Death was produced by Sadie Mallon.
Sigrid Bjarnason
Dreams of You
When we retired from the Vancouver School Board my husband and I moved to Gabriola Island where we enjoyed the relaxed lifestyle on offer there for many years. We took in other beings who needed a home - hens who had been layers on a factory farm, a turkey named Ernie, and various senior dogs who found themselves in need of a guardian. Now I live in a laneway house in Nanaimo, across the yard from relatives, where I try to be useful to other beings (like Freddie, seen in the photo - one of the latest seniors I share my home with) and I do my best to enjoy life!
Dave Byrnes is a retired engineering designer, and lives in the Cowichan Valley of British Columbia. His wife, Annie, had a medically assisted death on September 1st, 2020. Since Annie’s death, Dave has become a peer-to-peer support volunteer at Cowichan Hospice and MAID Family Support Society, and promotes MAID whenever he can.
Dave Byrnes
Notes from Annie
Cynthia Clark
Fatherless Daughters
Cynthia Clark's husband chose to have a medically assisted death (MAID) when their children were both under ten. Four years later her father chose MAID and Cynthia gained a clearer understanding of what the loss of a father had felt like for her daughter. Cynthia reflects on the grief and chaos of losing your partner and your father while parenting young grieving children, supporting a mother into widowhood and the intricacies of helping a loved one scheduling their death.
Robin Farr
Writing the Ending
Robin Farr supported her father through MAID in 2021 and then joined MAID Family Support Society to help fill the gap in support for others doing the same for a loved one. She acts as program manager for the organization in addition to volunteering as a peer supporter and serving on the board of directors. In her other life, Robin leads HR for a mental health company; she lives in Calgary with her two children and her dog.
Trish Heidebrecht-Archibald
Both Sides: A Chaplain's MAiD Story
Trish Archibald lives in the heart of the Niagara Region in southern Ontario, surrounded by natural beauty and a wonderful family. She is both a Presbyterian pastor of a small church, and a Psychospiritual Care Practitioner in a hospital where she teaches students wishing to become chaplains. Trish believes in the resilience of love, and hopes that those who share her story will be surprised yet by joy.
Lorraine is a volunteer with MAID Family Services and lives in Trent Lakes Ontario Her husband Michael used MAiD in December 2022.
Lorraine Thomas