Discussions about end-of-life care are often shrouded in fear – and with good reason. Many cultures discuss death only in terms of loss and pain, often with more questions than answers. And who wouldn’t want to avoid discussing death if it’s what is feared the most?
The truth is something altogether harder: if we don’t discuss our choices and our decisions when we are able, those around us will make decisions for us, without the opportunity to respect and honor our wishes.
Recently, our team discovered Voicing My Choices, which is a document offered by the organization Five Wishes. Voicing My Choices was written specifically for young adults with serious illnesses. It does not just cover your legal wishes, but shares “how you want to be comforted, supported, treated and remembered” by those in your life.
This document was crafted with a great deal of research backing it. The feedback of young adults was also taken into consideration when preparing this document, in addition to the Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, and the National Institutes of Mental Health at the National Institutes of Health. In short, this document is meant to offer a comprehensive guide to young adults who want to feel empowered in making their wishes known.
To purchase the Voicing My Choices planning guide for $5, or to learn more, please visit Five Wishes here.
