About me
My end of life of life journey began 2005, though at that time, I had no idea I would eventually find myself in the field Of End-of-Life care. It was a gift from my grandmother, one that remained undiscovered for several years.
When my grandma was dying, I had no idea how long it would take. Days? Weeks? I never imagined it would last 10 to 12 days. It took me some time to process everything that happened, and there were things I couldn't stop thinking about. I realized I needed to know more about the dying process, about what I had witnessed with my grandma. It felt like a calling, something I had to explore. But life got busy, and I put it aside for a while.
I read many books on the subject, each one so intriguing as I tried to piece together an explanation for what I had experienced.
In 2008 my mom and grandpa then became ill and ended up passing within 9 days of each other and both passed away in my arms.
I knew then that I had to pursue this calling. I read every single book I could find on death and dying. A few years later, I walk into a hospice building and asked to volunteer. These were the most rewarding experiences I never expected to have. I began teaching the dying process to staff members in our assisted living as a way to educate the employees as well as to lessen the fear of dying for them.
Although it has taken some time to understand that this is really my calling I am now ready to commit my life to helping others experience the end of life journey with love, support and understanding. I have had the honor of assisting many patients and their families, as well as my own family members, through all stages of the dying process with each having it’s own set of beautiful experiences.
Being a Doulagiver is a direct reflection of the education and training I received and it holds a lot of weight in this unregulated field.
About my training
Suzanne B. O'Brien is a registered nurse who has worked most of her career in either hospice (end-of-life care) and/or oncology (cancer care).
She has had the honor and privilege to have personally worked at the bedside with over one thousand end-of-life patients and their families, from all different cultures, backgrounds, and backgrounds.
In addition to being the creator and founder of Doulagivers Institute, she is also a founder member of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization's (NHPCO) End-Of-Life Doula Council, and a founding member and former Vice President of the National End-Of-Life Doula Alliance (NEDA).
For over a decade now she has been training End-of-Liffe Doulas to help support and serve our vulnerable elder population.
She helps incredibly passionate people become the best possible non-medical, holistic practitioners you can be so that you can help the people that need you most.
"Death can be the natural, sacred experience it was meant to be with the right Kindness, education, and support."
~Suzzane B. O'Brien
This content is provided by Doulagivers Institute. For more information visit www.doulagivers.com