A Conversation About MAID with Ken Bell

About this episode

A thoughtful conversation about Medical Assistance in Dying in Canada, exploring its complexities and emotional impact within faith communities.

In this episode of Rector’s Cupboard, Allison, Amanda, and Ken sit down for a thoughtful and deeply human conversation about MAID — Medical Assistance in Dying in Canada. Drawing on Ken’s work as a Spiritual Health Practitioner at Lions Gate Hospital, we explore what MAID actually is, how the process works, and why it remains such a difficult and emotional topic for many people, especially within faith communities. Along the way, we talk about suffering, grief, agency, palliative care, and what it means to accompany people through death with compassion and dignity. Ken shares stories from his work with patients and families navigating end-of-life decisions, reflecting on the sacredness, tension, and beauty that can exist even in the hardest moments. This isn’t a debate episode or an attempt to land on easy answers. Instead, it’s an honest conversation about mortality, care, faith, and how we show up for one another when life becomes fragile. References: If you’d like to do some more reading on MAID in Canada, Ken suggests the following resources. This is Assisted Dying, Dr. Stefanie Green (2022) A memoir by a Canadian physician at the forefront of MAID, exploring her experiences…

People in this episode

Hosts: Allison, Amanda

Guest: Ken Bell

Topics covered

• Medical Assistance in Dying
• spiritual health
• end-of-life care
• faith communities
• mortality
• compassion
• grief

Keywords

• MAID
• Canada
• spiritual health
• palliative care
• end-of-life decisions
• compassion
• grief
• faith
• mortality

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Lions Gate Hospital

Books & works: This is Assisted Dying, The Last Doctor: Lessons in Living from the Front Lines of Medical Assistance in Dying, Unravelling MAID in Canada

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