Navigating Loss Following Medical Aid In Dying as a Surviving Sibling: Steven/ Julie

In this episode of The Broken Pack™: Stories of Adult Sibling Loss , journalist and author Steven Petrow joins Dr. Dean to discuss various aspects of sibling loss, grief, and medical aid in dying. He shares his personal experiences with losing his sister, Julie, to a six-year ovarian cancer experience, navigating his responses to her choice, and their perspectives on end-of-life choices. The conversation highlights the importance of privacy, listening, and respecting the wishes of cancer patients and etiquette in both grief and cancer. Steven Petrow also shares Julie’s voice and hopes for  expanding access to medical aid in dying for terminally ill individuals. This episode also sheds light on the unique dynamics of sibling relationships and their influence on individuals' identity and well-being.

Content warning: This episode discusses Medical Aid in Dying.

Links Mention and  Other Related Links:
Clearity Foundation - https://www.clearityfoundation.org - An organization that Julie, Steven, and their family found support from. Clearity supports people with ovarian cancer and their families.

Empathy Cards (some may be snarky, others are not, sibling loss ones support The Broken Pack™)- https://tinyurl.com/34ab2js8

FAQ on MAiD- https://www.compassionandchoices.org/resource/frequently-asked-questions/

Steven’s articles on Julie & on MAiD
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/28/opinion/medical-aid-death-choice.html

NPR Article on Steven learning to understand Julie's choice- https://tinyurl.com/a7x3p58h

Steven's website: https://stevenpetrow.com

Steven's article on cancer etiquette -
https://www.mariashriversundaypaper.com/steven-petrow-cancer-etiquette/

NPR  Science of Siblings  https://tinyurl.com/kj53c2ez

Support the show

If you would like more information or to share your own adult sibling loss story, please contact me, Dr. Angela Dean, at [e-mail] or go to our website, thebrokenpack.com.

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Angela M. Dean, PsyD, FT

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