Community Summit: Compassion & Care Dr. Kathryn Mannix
Dr. Mannix’s visit to our Bow Valley region was the final leg of her lengthy visit to Canada and we were honoured to be the final stop on her tour. She brought valuable information from her tour to our region. She shared those learnings along with knowledge from her lengthy career in palliative medicine, through the talks and events she graciously participated in while here. Her two days with us were jam- packed and incredibly insightful. Dr. Mannix asked us to consider how our community could think about challenging the notions we have about death and dying, to create environments where the conversations around our finality can be welcome and open. She encouraged each of our audiences to explore and welcome inquisitiveness and learning.
As she noted, we learn about the process of conception, birth, and development but we don’t have the equivalent discussion about how our bodies, at the end of our days, start to slow and shut down.
The Bow Valley is a community that’s united in appreciation of the magnificence of its setting held between their mighty mountains and joined by the curving beauty of their river. This is a community that appreciates wellbeing and the outdoors. I was impressed by stories of hospice volunteers helping members of the community who are less mobile. To get outside, to ski and walk, to fish, or simply to sit and relish living in this glorious place. This is the essence of palliative care. It’s all about living, depite the challenges of ageing or illness. It’s about filling our hearts and souls with what matters most to us. The mission of the PCSBV is to make that possible for all residents along the valley. Whether that’s up a snowy mountain of beside a turquoise river, or at ease in bed or chair, this is an organisation with the vision and drive to change lives for the better to their last moments, and to support bereaved people as they process their grief. It was an honour and delight to visit the PCSBV and to be inspired by the energy of its volunteers and leaders. ~ Dr. Kathryn Mannix
The opportunity to explore these discussions can be a gift for us and our loved ones should we choosed to grasp it.
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator