VoiceQuilt - "Dying Well and Preserving Memories"

When people are diagnosed with a terminal illness, many think of it as the end. But not Dr. Ira Byock, a longtime palliative care physician, advocate for improved end-of-life care and author of Dying Well: The Prospect for Growth at the End of Life. He, like his friend Herb Maurer, a now-deceased oncologist who ironically suffered from cancer, believe in the importance of making the end of one’s life a powerful, enjoyable experience.

As described here Maurer used the final stage of his life to focus on simple pleasures like food, drink, travel and of course, family and friends. He was lucky: Numerous family members were able to travel to see him and share happy memories with him. Others don’t have that same ability, which is where VoiceQuilt comes in.

I became aware of Dr. Ira Byock after talking with Don D., a VoiceQuilt gift giver. Don had organized a VoiceQuilt for Beth, his dying wife. He shared how the VoiceQuilt had enabled family and friends to say goodbye. It had given them the opportunity to tell Beth what she had meant to them – even if they lived far away.

It was, in many ways, a virtual version of the process Dr. Byock advocates.

On Friday, I spoke with another gift giver that has set up a VoiceQuilt so that a dying friend can record voice messages for her elementary school children.

I never ceased to be amazed at the creativity of our customers…