Episode 10: Cynthia Clark, The Many Faces of MAiD (Medical Assistance in Dying) - Sharing the Stories

Episode 10: The Many Faces of MAiD (Medical Assistance in Dying) - Sharing the Stories

 

Cynthia guided her family through MAID, twice. First with her husband in 2019 and then again with her father in 2023. She discovered writing when her husband was sick as a way to process her experience and has since encouraged others to do the same. She is the creator and Co-Author of the recently published book The Many Faces of MAID: What to Expect When Someone You Know Chooses Medical Assistance in Dying.   

In this episode Cynthia is joined by some of the Many Faces of MAiD authors as they share their stories, and why they believe sharing these stories is important for them, and for all of us, in better understanding MAiD and the impact it can have for individuals and the people who love them. 

About Cynthia: 

Cynthia Clark received her HBA from the University of Western Ontario and spent time working as a management consultant and in midstream oil and gas. She has lived and worked in several different countries, is a trained executive coach and seasoned advocate for many causes that she is passionate about. Cynthia is a very good communicator and has excellent interpersonal and networking skills. Cynthia guided her family through MAID in 2019 when her husband was diagnosed with brain cancer and again when her father chose MAID in 2023. 

About the Storytellers: 

Carole - Carole was stunned and devastated when her close friend Sue called to say that she desperately and urgently needed Carole’s support. Her husband Dan had elected to have MAID, and this was a decision that was inconceivably traumatic for Sue. Dan’s facial cancer  

treatment would be painful and result in such disfigurement that he felt he’d prefer to die with some semblance of dignity. Carole flew to their home, trying to grasp the complexities of this tragedy, to comfort both of her dear friends at the end of Dan’s life.  

Carol will share about her feelings of Empathy (Chapter 2, pg 67) when she learned of Sue’s husband’s diagnosis.   

Dave - Dave and Annie had lived on a street aptly named Paradise Close for three blissful years when Annie, at 72, was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer. At the same time, she lost her speech and her ability to eat, a condition that was strongly suspected to be Bulbar ALS. She became palliative right away. A hospice visitor told them about MAID, and the relief for both of them was palpable. They smiled, knowing that Annie would not have to die in pain. Dave was her primary caregiver for 20 months, a role he never wanted, but gratefully embraced. She managed the cancer, but a much deeper blow was her inability to talk to Dave. They’d been together, as the tightest unit imaginable, for 27 years when Annie decided she’d had enough. She had the most beautiful, peaceful death on their living room sofa in the presence of her two children and Dave, her loving husband. Dave will share his feelings of Relief (Chapter 5, pg 135) when his beloved Annie decided she was ready to die.   

Bobbie - Bobbie and Bob had been married for 28 active and healthy years when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. They lived their lives to the fullest for the next 23 years. After an isolating and demoralizing five-week stay in the hospital during COVID, Bob decided he wanted to go home and die on his own terms. Bobbie was with him, and their dog was by his side, as he looked out into their BC garden and said goodbye. Bobbie will share about her feelings of Sadness (Chapter 6, pg 174) the day Bob had MAID  

Cathy - Cathy and Gary were in their 70s and had been together for 28 years when he was diagnosed with an incurable lung cancer. What followed was Gary’s gradual decline over the next year and a half, with Cathy taking care of him. They had agreed from the beginning that neither of them could tolerate his prolonged suffering and that MAID was the right choice. Gary decided to forgo treatment that might extend his life for a few months but would affect the quality of the time he had left. He died peacefully at home in Cambridge, ON, overlooking the beauty of the lake behind their house. Cathy will share about feeling Empty (Chapter 7, pg 199) in the days following Gary’s death.  

Brittney - Brittney was in her  mid-20’s, living a relatively normal and quiet life when her mother was diagnosed with skin cancer in her jaw. Her mom had decided on MAID before going into her first surgery, ‘just in case things got bad.’ Six years later, after numerous surgeries, appointments and treatments, the cancer returned for the third time and there was nothing more the doctors could do. Even though she couldn’t speak, she made it clear that she was ready to move on to the other side, experience the next chapter, and more importantly, be pain free. Brittney will share about eventually finding peace (Chapter 9, pg 242) two years after her Mother’s death.