Reflections on Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID)

Over two years ago, when I began the Spiritual Care Provider (SCP) role with Lisaard and Innisfree Hospice, I knew this position, which involves primarily visiting Local Health Integrated Network (LHIN) palliative clients in the community, would include helping palliative client explore Medical Assistance in Dying, commonly known as MAID. I am aware that many SCPs struggle with how to respond to MAID and whether one should support MAID. Since MAID was now part of the Palliative Care world, I had two choices, either to express my right of conscious objection, and not be involved with MAID, or to find a way to bring the Sacred into the MAID process. I chose the latter and this blog is a summary of my learnings as I help palliative care clients explore the MAID option around death, and then walk with people as I seek to bring prayers of blessing and comfort into their MAID dying process.