Local Chapter
The Winnipeg Chapter started just a few months after a local woman named Susan Griffiths went public with her story about needing to go to Switzerland to die because Canadian law had not yet changed to allow her to die with assistance at home. Susan had to die as much as a year or two before it would’ve been truly necessary, because she would’ve required help after a certain point. A few of us got angry enough about the need to change the laws that we agreed to start a Chapter. Now that Canadian law has changed to allow for medical assistance in dying, we have shifted our focus to mainly public education and support.
The majority of our work as a chapter involves helping people understand patient rights and the legal and practical aspects of their Health Care Directive. We also talk to people about their end of life wishes: the practical, emotional, and social implications of preparing for the last chapter of life.
Meetings for chapter members are about whatever we’d all like to talk about; contact us with your ideas for a get-together.
On Wednesday, October 11, we’ll be sitting down with psychotherapist and certified music therapist Dr. SarahRose Black to hear about how music therapy can be incorporated into health care plans, who can qualify, and its potential to transform end of life care.
Have questions that only a MAID Provider could answer? Do you wish you could get involved in shaping our webinars? Now's your chance! On Tuesday, October 24, we'll be hosting a special session with MAID Providers Erica Maynard, NP and Aaron McKim, MD.
"In My Own Time" is a documentary that looks at what it means to die on one’s own terms, using first-hand accounts from people across Canada.
Jean Ayre was one of the first 100 patients in Manitoba to apply for medical assistance in dying.
"The Power of Love's Connectivity: A Case Study of MAiD" by Don Ayre of ManitobaA transformative and compassionate memoir by a leading pioneer in medically assisted dying.
This Is Assisted Dying: A Doctor's Story of Empowering Patients at the End of LifePicture book - A child cherishes every second of their grandmother's last week of life in this sensitive portrayal of medical assistance in dying (MAiD).
Last Week—
Note: The Winnipeg Chapter of Dying With Dignity Canada and the Manitoba MAID team are not the same thing! The MAID team is a group of medical professionals who help patients who request medical assistance in dying. DWDC is a non-profit organization dedicated to patient rights and end-of-life issues.
There is currently only one MAID team, based in Winnipeg, that coordinates all requests for assistance to die in Manitoba. If you are considering applying for MAID, don’t wait until the situation is dire to contact the team. Contact them today for a chat if you’re unsure.
Contact the MAID team:
MAID website (Manitoba only)
Email: maid@sharedhealthmb.ca
Phone: 204-926-1380 or toll-free: 1-844-891-1825
An effective Advance Directive (also called a Health Care Directive) indicates your wishes about your care should something bad happen and you can’t speak for yourself. Many people arrive at hospitals with either no instructions in writing, or with a paragraph written in language too vague for doctors to act upon. Don’t assume that just because your spouse knows your wishes that that’s what will happen in an emergency. Dying With Dignity Canada has many years of experience in helping people express their wishes clearly in an Advance Care Plan.
To learn more, scroll further down this page to read What is an Advance Care Plan – and why do you need one?
The complete DWDC Advance Care Planning Kit is available to anyone to download for free. However, based on past presentations and reports from patients, families, and health care professionals, there are lots of questions and many issues that need further elaboration and interpretation – hence the need for these events, which are held both in-person and online via Zoom.
Topics addressed in the presentation include:
Have a pen and paper handy to take notes.
“Having the material visually displayed on the screen was most helpful”
“We already have a plan through our lawyer, but this pointed out how insufficient it is. Greatly appreciated.”
“A wake up call to get started & do the necessary work.”
“Loved all the info provided. Very knowledgeable presenter. I like that is was presented by someone with a medical background & experience in the medical / real world & life experience.”
“It was a real eye opener.”
“Excellent presenter, much practical experience & knowledge was shared. Helped me get my head around the idea of an (sic) HCD, which I previously preferred to ignore!”
“Well done. Dorothy was knowledgeable, well prepared – very effective speaker! Thank you!”
“Notes were given so you can pay attention to the presentation.”
“The information gave direction as to what to enter on the form. Gave me info on what to think about – WOW! I’m glad I came.”
“Excellent presenter, & class organization & handouts.”
“ I am glad I attended the workshop. Very informative.”
“Sharing by the presenter of the intracacies (sic) and practicalities from her experience about health care directive decisions.”
Featured story
Dorothy Stephens is the Advance Care Planning educator for Dying With Dignity Canada's Winnipeg Chapter. She has a Bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Manitoba and worked as a Registered Nurse in Winnipeg hospitals for 30 years. Sh...
Empower. Inform. Protect your rights.
