REFLECTIONS FROM THE FOUNDERS OF DYING AT HOME PROGRAM
We are reaching out to people around the world with much heartfelt distress, moved to sadness for your terrible losses, grief, suffering and great loss of life in war-torn countries. Facing us all is the uncertainty of what is to come, what is life to be, and how can we recover?
COVID has placed the whole world in great danger. Because of our many years of work with our Dying At Home Program, we know that one of the great tragedies of this time is that our loved ones are dying alone. Still, at the same time, we see remarkable and beautiful examples against this backdrop of people caring for one another with kindness, which speak of the potential for togetherness and strengthen our capacity as a community.
Dying At Home Program gives you, and your dying loved one in your home the best way for your family, friends and neighbours to enjoy a living environment. With 40 plus years of experience, I can assure you that you can always take on the care of your dying loved one in your home and care with love and compassion if that is what you choose with our program.
No one needs to die alone again. The Dying At Home Program exists to help you do this work of love.
REGARDING OUR PROGRAM IN THE COVID PANDEMIC
STEP 2 of the 8 STEP Program is the Gathering. in this time of COVID, make sure that those you have invited follow the rules in your country regarding getting together in your home. This is the essential step in our program so work out how friends and neighbours can come together with appropriate precautions and safety. This caution regarding care will cease as soon as all people are free movement without risk.
Now or any time at all, if you need help using the program to care for your dying loved one at home who is very sick, contact us 24/7 at support@dyingathome.org.
AND NOW OUR THOUGHTS AND HOPE
Just as the sun rises each day, awareness is growing and genuine appreciation of the goodness within all people. Through media and online, we are witnessing health care workers giving every bit of their best to care for those so ill with COVID. It is an incredible story of courage, bravery and dedication happening worldwide. There are inspiring stories of people singing to whole villages and streets, music is ringing out, people are helping neighbours with food, and others are caring for children with programs to support them, just some examples.
We believe that the world is coming together, a potential for unity not thought possible before. Despite the most terrible aspects of wars, killings of innocents, war crimes, and horrific abuses of human rights in some countries, our vision for the world’s people to grow in the capacity of our innate human goodness and strengths we have such hope. People feel this, expressing it in ways they can from their talents and wanting to share in each other’s experiences and hopes.
Thinking about our Program, COVID has made people aware of the indispensable need for us to be with our loved ones when they are dying, bringing them home to where they belong. We hope that we will all live life more positively, more caringly and more generously from now on.
In a time of significant change, we must individually and collectively not return to focusing on our differences, our conflicts, our misunderstandings, our blindness, our lack of sensitivity, or our inhumanity.This quote clearly expresses our hope:
“Love and Compassion are necessities, not luxuries; without them, humanity cannot survive.”
His Holiness The Dalai Lama
We send our best wishes to all people to be safe and strong and find hope and meaning.
Dr Helen-Anne Manion OAM
Gerard Manion OAM
8th April 2022