Dying with Dignity Seminars

Starts: Saturday, February 4th 2012 at 10:00 am
Ends: Saturday, February 4th 2012 at 2:30 pm

Presenter: Wanda Morris, Executive Director of Dying with Dignity Canada. She is a Chartered Accountant, a member of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers and holds a Master of Arts Degree in Transforming Spirituality. Wanda is a long-time Unitarian; she chaired the Sunday Morning Services Committee at North Shore Unitarian Church and for many years was also a Lay Chaplain. She believes her work as a Lay Chaplain was instrumental in guiding her to her current role at Dying With Dignity Canada. She says, “as a Lay Chaplain I saw first-hand the healing that was possible from meaningful memorial services. This drew me in to further conversations about death and dying and ultimately led to my becoming a voice for dignity in dying and self-chosen death in Canada.” She will also be leading the Feb. 4 service, Choice in Dying: It’s a Matter of Justice.

UCC is hosting these workshops, and they are open to the general public. You are welcome to attend either or both and a lunch will be provided between. Pre-registration is appreciated for logistic and food planning. Sign-up in Wickenden Hall, via email to caring@unitarianscalgary.org or call the office 403-276-2436.

Workshop 1: Straight Talk on End of Life Issues, 10:00 am – 11:30 pm

Do you know all your rights and options when it comes to end of life health care? Do you know how to make sure that your wishes for end of life treatment are followed? Learn your rights; learn your choices. Make the decisions that are best for you! Knowing all your rights and options will help you secure the end of life treatment that you want.

Workshop 2: The 7 Common Myths of Medically-Assisted Dying: Why Choice in Dying? Let’s look at the facts. 1:00 – 2:30 pm

We are at a critical juncture as the courts are once again being asked to provide individuals who are suffering and at the end of life with the legal option of medically assisted dying. Participants will hear the facts, as well as updates about the progress of the challenges currently before the courts.

• Is palliative care enough?
• Does the evidence support that legalizing assisted dying is a slippery slope?
• Will changing the laws to allow medically assisted dying fundamentally undermine our trust in our Doctors?

This will be a participative session - questions are encouraged!

Added details available at www.dyingwithdignity.ca