Dreams Realized: Meeting Sammy Winemaker, Hsien Seow, and Yvonne Heath
I am thrilled to share that I recently had the incredible opportunity to meet three inspiring change-makers in person: Sammy Winemaker, Hsien Seow, and Yvonne Heath. For me, these are the connections I’ve dreamed of, as I continue to work toward enhancing care in our communities.
Background on My Journey
Since completing my End of Life Doula course and resuming my role as a Private Personal Support Worker, I’ve been privileged to attend numerous transformative events, connecting with inspiring individuals through workshops, podcasts, and conferences. Many people dream of meeting a favorite actor or musician, but for me, it’s about connecting with those who are working tirelessly to reshape our approaches to caregiving, self-care, and end-of-life choices.
Meeting Sammy Winemaker and Hsien Seow
In early October, I traveled to Thunder Bay for a Palliative Care Conference, where I was able to meet Dr. Sammy Winemaker and Dr. Hsien Seow, hosts of the insightful podcast The Waiting Room Revolution and authors of Hope for the Best, Plan for the Rest. This conference allowed me to connect with these dedicated professionals face-to-face and gain even deeper insights into their invaluable work.
Connecting with Yvonne Heath
Shortly after, I was delighted to welcome Yvonne Heath to our community. Yvonne has an extensive background in healthcare—working in emergency, chemotherapy, palliative care, and hospice settings—and has dedicated her career to encouraging open dialogue on grief, life transitions, and end-of-life matters. Inspired by her experiences and the widespread need for social change, she founded Love Your Life to Death in 2015, promoting the importance of these conversations with her book, Love Your Life to Death and her website. She has a program called "Get Ready for Grief" and so much more. I hope you will check it out.
In collaboration with the Vermilion Bay Lions, we hosted a free community event where Yvonne spoke, offering insight and answering questions. It was heartwarming to see such a strong turnout, and the community’s engagement affirmed the need for more events like this.
Yvonne was also invited to speak to our Community Paramedics and I feel incredibly fortunate to have been part of this day. My heartfelt thanks to #NorthWestEMS and #CommunityParamedics for such a warm welcome. And to #LoveYourLifeToDeath and Yvonne Heath—I'm truly excited for what lies ahead!
This is just the beginning. I’m excited to continue offering more community information sessions on these important topics—stay tuned for future events!
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