The Diana Pathway

Leading the way in holistic education and support for Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD)

Medically assisted death rose by 35% in Canada from 2020 to 2021

The Diana Pathway supports those considering and accessing Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) due to a terminal illness and, through the dedicated outreach work of HHA's team, aims to create an environment to safely navigate the myriad perceptions around MAiD. It was inspired by Diana, the first client HHA supported when seeking MAiD. Diana was passionate about an individual’s right to make decisions that reflect their values and preferences for their own healthcare when facing death. We are committed to carry on her legacy by providing support that respects the autonomy and dignity of those navigating end-of-life decisions.

How The Diana Pathway Helps

MAiD and the Death Doula Certificate Program

HHA is the first source of education for Death Doulas who are committed to working with those considering or accessing a medically assisted death. While Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) became legal in Canada in June 2016, it remains a controversial, complex and deeply personal issue. Those working with a MAiD client believe in the importance of meeting a client “where they're at” and support their choices. This certificate program focuses on the unique needs of a MAiD client and the types of support that a Diana Pathway-trained Death Doula can offer.

Register for an upcoming session (delivered online):

MAiD Death Cafés

This discussion group provides an open forum for people to engage in meaningful conversation about Medical Assistance in Dying with the goal of destigmatizing this topic in a safer space. Given the bias and judgement that often comes with MAiD, we acknowledge how important it is to create a Death Café specific for this community. Regardless of how you are connected to MAiD, we invite you to our next event to freely participate in and connect with this community of like-minded individuals.

See upcoming dates/register here:

Hospice at Home for those Accessing MAiD

Professionally trained Death Doulas who are uniquely equipped to help navigate the complexities surrounding MAiD are ready to compassionately support an individual’s choice. Diana taught us so much about how to build upon the foundation of HHA’s four domains of care in order to meet the needs of and respond to the opportunities that a planned death can present. Each HHA Diana Pathway Death Doula grows Diana’s legacy with every MAiD client they support.

Workshops and Presentations

This community outreach creates a safe environment for professionals, students in human rights and social justice studies, or members of a social group to navigate the myriad perceptions about MAiD and to understand the history and facts of this provision in Canada. Together we dispel myths, such as “I am legally obligated to attend a MAiD Death” and answer questions, such as “would my life insurance be affected if I were to have MAiD?”, with the ultimate goal of normalizing conversation on this topic.

Meet The Diana Pathway Team

Lisa Bonneville

Lisa is a death doula and hospice and bereavement counsellor, as well as a facilitator for HHA’s Death Doula and MAiD and the Death Doula Certificate Programs. She believes that communication plays a huge role in preparing for end-of-life as well as the grief that follows. She’ll talk to anyone, anywhere, anytime about dying, death and everything in between.

Most of Lisa’s experience is in residential hospice but she has also worked in long-term care, funeral homes and had the privilege of caring for palliative Catholic Nuns. Many people have had a hand in supporting and guiding her along the way to where she is today, and she does her best to pass on this wisdom and knowledge in her own teaching.

Laura Silver

In addition to sitting on Home Hospice Association’s Board of Directors, Laura Silver is a Certified Death Doula with HHA and is HHA’s current Alberta Chapter Champion. She lives in Calgary, Alberta, with her husband, two of three children, and two dogs.

Before moving to Alberta in 2016, Laura spent close to fifteen years as a Senior Policy Advisor and Project Manager in the Ontario health care system, as a public servant and also as a Senior Project Manager at Cancer Care Ontario. She contributed to the Ontario Diabetes Strategy, the Home-Based Primary Care Strategy, and the Seniors Strategy. Earlier in her career, in the University Health Network, Laura helped build the multidisciplinary approach to health care, participated in the development of the Toronto Central LHIN and contributed to the UHN's Palliative Care Strategy. After moving to Alberta, Laura led the creation of the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention program for newborns, and spent three years improving patient access to specialist care in the province as the Senior Project Manager for eReferral. Laura is a Certified Lean Green Belt in Healthcare as well as PROSCI certified.

Laura has a vision of every community having their local death doula, and that every member of every community has access to the resources, support and compassionate care that allows them to spend their final days in comfort and peace in their chosen space.

Get Involved

Volunteer

Join our Diana Pathway Program Team and help build the capacity of this program, including volunteer engagement, community outreach, agency partnerships and financial sustainability.

Become a MAiD Death Café Facilitator and help us grow the number of safe spaces to have these deeply personal conversations.

Complete your Post Secondary Education as our Program Manager. Ideally suited for someone currently enrolled in a Social Worker, Social Service Worker or Community Worker Program.

Join our Moonlit Memory Walk

Marching for MAID is the Diana Pathway's first team to ever participate in HHA's Moonlit Memory Walk! We are walking in honour of all of those who have died with the support of a medically assisted death since the legalization of MAID in 2016. We are walking to remember and to hold space for those who have died, and to create a community of support for those grieving the loss of a loved one who died with the support of MAID.

Partner

Have you identified a gap in how your community / agency / organization approaches MAiD? If the answer is yes, then we want to partner with you. Visit our Community Partnerships Page to learn more

Support our fundraising efforts as a corporate or event sponsor and help us raise awareness of this important program.

Your donation helps us offer comprehensive support, understanding, and guidance to individuals considering or accessing MAiD. It also allows us to continue addressing questions and dispelling myths about the MAiD process by supporting our community outreach and education efforts.

Together, we can create an environment that acknowledges the complexities of these choices, while providing comfort and compassion to those who need it most.

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