To Those Pursuing MAiD: A Message from a Caregiver

Editor’s Note: We extend our heartfelt thanks to our anonymous submitter for sharing their deeply moving reflection on supporting a loved one through MAiD. Their words provide comfort, validation, and wisdom for others navigating similar experiences. This piece is part of our ongoing five-part blog series exploring the emotional landscape of choice, dignity, and connection in the face of death. We are honoured to share their story and deeply grateful for their openness and vulnerability. Stay tuned for next month’s final installment as they offer their closing reflections.

I never imagined I would walk alongside someone I love as they pursued MAiD. When the conversation first began, I felt a flood of emotions - grief, uncertainty, even fear. It felt impossible to process that the person I cherished was making this choice. But as I listened, I began to understand that this wasn’t just about dying. It was about choice, dignity, and control over an experience that so often feels beyond our grasp.

If you are considering MAiD, I want you to know that you are not alone.

I have seen firsthand the strength it takes to make this decision. It is not giving up. It is not taking the easy way out. It is an act of courage, deeply personal and profoundly human. Choosing MAiD doesn’t mean you are done living. In many ways, I saw my loved one embrace life more fully after making their decision - savoring each moment, holding onto what mattered most, and making space for meaningful goodbyes.

There were moments when I didn’t know what to say. I worried about saying the wrong thing, about failing to support my loved one in the way they needed. I wanted to take away their pain, to fix what couldn’t be fixed. But I learned that presence matters more than perfect words. Sitting in silence, sharing stories, holding a hand - these small acts became everything. There were days when we laughed about old memories, and others when we sat in the heaviness of it all. Every moment mattered.

If your loved ones are struggling to understand, give them time. It may not be easy for them, but that does not mean they love you any less. They may be grieving the loss before it even happens, grappling with emotions they don’t know how to express. And if you need support beyond what they can offer, there are people who will stand with you, listen without judgment, and honour your choices. You don’t have to carry this alone.

One of the most unexpected gifts of this journey was the community we found. People who had walked this road before us, who understood the emotions and the practicalities, who reassured us that we were not alone. Whether through peer support, group conversations, or simply hearing someone say, “I understand,” that connection made all the difference. When everything felt overwhelming, knowing we were not the first to walk this path - and that others had made it through - was a comfort I didn’t know I needed.

At Bridge C-14, there is space for you. Space to talk, to listen, to share - without pressure, without expectation. There is no right or wrong way to navigate this. Your journey is your own, and wherever you are in it, there are people who will walk alongside you.

You are more than this moment. Your life is full of love, laughter, hardship, and triumph. No choice you make will ever erase that. Whatever time remains, I hope you find comfort in the people and places that bring you joy. I hope you feel seen, heard, and held in the ways that matter most. And when the time comes, I hope you are surrounded by love, in whatever way feels right for you.

I see you. I honour you. You are not alone.

With care,

A Caregiver Who Walked This Road

- Submitted by a Bridge C-14 Community Member

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If this reflection resonates with you, we invite you to share your own experiences. Your story could help others feel less alone in their journey. If you're interested in contributing, please reach out to info@bridgec14.org - we’d love to hear from you.