Canadian artist's journey with medically-assisted death

CBCSaskatchewan

5 Jun 202307:46

Summary

TLDRThe script documents the final moments of Jeanette Lowden, an 87-year-old artist from Saskatoon, who chose a medically assisted death. With the support of her family, she shared her life's memories, her reasons for this decision, and her peaceful transition. The narrative captures her preparation for death, including plaster casts of her hands and a serene outlook, reflecting on her life, family, and art. The family's acceptance and participation in her choice offer a profound look at dignity, control, and the beauty of a well-lived life coming to an end on her terms.

Takeaways

🎨 Jeanette Lowden, an 87-year-old artist from Saskatoon, allowed CBC News to document her medically assisted death process.
💫 Jeanette asked her family to decorate the lid of her coffin, reflecting her artistic nature even in her final moments.
👵 Jeanette's daughter, Phyllis, supported her decision to end her life due to unbearable pain and inability to do anything.
🌟 Jeanette's outlook on life changed positively after deciding on medically assisted death, as she saw an end in sight.
👋 Jeanette expressed her love and farewell to her family, stating she would be watching over them from 'the other realm'.
🤝 Jeanette's family has accepted her decision and is grateful for being part of the process, showing a deep understanding and support.
👶 Jeanette involved her grandson in making plaster casts of her hands, creating a tangible legacy for her family.
🖼 She cherished her family and her art, considering them her second love after her family.
📚 Jeanette's family read a poem to her, 'Relax back beloved, into the Timeless presence', during her final moments.
🍸 A small detail about her personality was revealed when her family mentioned ginger ale as her favorite drink.
🛌 The doctor explained the procedure to the family, likening it to falling asleep and ensuring Jeanette's comfort and dignity in her final moments.

Q & A

What significant event is Jeanette Lowden preparing for?
-Jeanette Lowden is preparing for her medically assisted death, which she has chosen to have shortly.
How does Jeanette's family feel about her decision?
-Jeanette's family has come to accept her decision and is grateful for the opportunity to be part of the process, supporting her throughout.
What is the significance of decorating the lid of Jeanette's coffin?
-Decorating the lid of her coffin is a way for Jeanette's family to participate in her final moments and create a personal touch to her farewell.
What does Jeanette reminisce about when discussing her life?
-Jeanette reminisces about her first boyfriend when she was 13 years old, indicating her eagerness to recall and share memories from her life.
How does Jeanette describe her physical condition leading to her decision to end her life?
-Jeanette describes her physical condition as unbearable, with constant pain and an inability to do anything, which led her to make the decision to end her life.
What change in Jeanette's outlook on life occurred after deciding on medically assisted death?
-After deciding on medically assisted death, Jeanette's outlook on life changed completely; she became happy, seeing an end in sight.
What does Jeanette consider her legacy to be?
-Jeanette considers her family and her art as her legacy, expressing love for them and the joy her art has brought to her life.
What activity does Jeanette engage in to create a lasting memory for her family?
-Jeanette makes plaster casts of her hands with the help of her grandson, intending to leave a tangible memory for her family.
How does Jeanette describe the process of medically assisted death?
-Jeanette describes the process as similar to going to sleep, a peaceful and restful transition without waking up.
What does Jeanette envision after her death?
-Jeanette envisions being in another realm, looking down on her family, smiling, and telling them she loves them.
How does Jeanette's family view her decision and the process of medically assisted death?
-Jeanette's family views her decision with acceptance and sees the process as a good death, without pain, with all things said, and exactly how she wanted it.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 A Life in Art and Love: Jeanette's Final Journey

This paragraph introduces Jeanette Lowden, an 87-year-old artist from Saskatoon, who has chosen a medically assisted death. The script captures the essence of her final moments, as she reminisces about her life, her reasons for choosing this path, and the support she receives from her family. Jeanette reflects on her life's joys and the pain that led her to this decision, highlighting her desire for control and dignity in her final moments. The paragraph also details her family's involvement in her final preparations, including plaster casts of her hands as a lasting memory, and her hope to ease the minds of others about the process of dying.

05:01

🌟 A Peaceful Farewell: The Day of Jeanette's Passing

The second paragraph focuses on the day of Jeanette's medically assisted death. It describes the legal and procedural aspects of the process, including the doctor's responsibility to ensure Jeanette's consent is voluntary. The script portrays the emotional farewells and the intimate moments shared between Jeanette and her family, as they express their love and prepare to say goodbye. Jeanette's calm and composed demeanor is emphasized, as is her family's acceptance and support of her decision. The paragraph concludes with the peaceful transition of Jeanette's passing, leaving a legacy of love and a changed perspective on death for those who remain.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Shimmery

The term 'shimmery' refers to something that shines with a soft, wavering light, often associated with a reflective or sparkling quality. In the video's context, it is used to describe the coffin lid that Jeanette Lowden has requested to be decorated, indicating her desire for a beautiful and reflective final resting place.

💡Medically Assisted Death

Medically assisted death, also known as physician-assisted suicide, is a practice where a medical professional provides the means for a terminally ill patient to end their life painlessly. In the script, Jeanette Lowden has chosen this option, and the video explores her journey towards this decision and its impact on her family.

💡Coffin Lid

The 'coffin lid' is the top cover of a coffin, traditionally the final resting place for a deceased person. In the video, Jeanette's request for her family to decorate her coffin lid symbolizes her personal touch on her final journey and her desire to leave a lasting impression.

💡Saskatoon Artist

A 'Saskatoon artist' refers to someone from Saskatoon, a city in Canada, who practices the arts. Jeanette Lowden is identified as an artist, which highlights her creative background and possibly her artistic approach to her final moments and legacy.

💡Unrestricted Access

The term 'unrestricted access' implies that there are no limitations or barriers to entry or information. In the context of the video, Jeanette has granted CBC News full access to document her final moments, indicating her openness and desire to share her experience with the public.

💡Reminisce

To 'reminisce' means to recall and talk about past experiences or events, often with nostalgia. Jeanette's eagerness to reminisce about her life, including her first boyfriend, shows her reflection on her personal history and the significance of her memories.

💡End of Life

The 'end of life' refers to the final stage of a person's life, often associated with the period leading up to death. Jeanette's decision to end her life through medically assisted death is a central theme of the video, highlighting her reflections on her life and her choice to control her end.

💡Outlook

An 'outlook' is a perspective or way of considering things, often related to one's future. Jeanette's change in outlook after deciding on medically assisted death is significant, as it shows her acceptance and newfound peace with her decision.

💡Legacy

A 'legacy' is something that is handed down or received from one's ancestors or predecessors, such as property, traditions, or values. Jeanette's mention of leaving a legacy through her family and art underscores the importance of the impact she has had and will continue to have on future generations.

💡Plaster Casts

Plaster casts are molds made from a liquid plaster that hardens into a solid form, often used for preserving shapes or impressions. In the script, Jeanette's grandson helps her make plaster casts of her hands, which serve as a tangible and lasting memento for her family.

💡Beyond the Grave

The phrase 'beyond the grave' refers to the existence or communication that is believed to continue after death. Jeanette's grandson's comment about her reaching from 'beyond the grave' captures the idea of her continued presence and influence in the lives of her family even after her passing.

💡Dignity

Dignity refers to the state or quality of being worthy of honor or respect. Jeanette's desire for a medically assisted death is framed as a way to maintain her dignity, avoiding a death that could be perceived as undignified or without control.

💡IV Line

An 'IV line' is a medical term for an intravenous line, a tube inserted into a vein to deliver fluids or medication. In the video, the IV line is a critical component of the medically assisted death process, symbolizing the transition from life to death.

💡Final Consent

To give 'final consent' means to officially and irrevocably agree to something, often in a legal or medical context. The doctor's need for final consent from Jeanette before proceeding with the medically assisted death emphasizes the importance of her voluntary and informed decision.

💡Good Death

A 'good death' is a concept that encompasses a peaceful, dignified, and painless end of life, often in accordance with the individual's wishes. The video portrays Jeanette's death as a 'good death,' highlighting the absence of pain, suffering, and the fulfillment of her desires.

Highlights

87-year-old Saskatoon artist Jeanette Lowden chooses medically assisted death and allows CBC News access to her final moments.

Jeanette asks her family to decorate her coffin lid in a personal touch.

She reminisces about her life, including her first boyfriend at age 13.

Jeanette explains her reasons for ending her life due to unbearable pain and inability to do anything.

Her daughter Phyllis supports Jeanette's decision to seek medically assisted death.

Jeanette's outlook on life changes after deciding on medically assisted death, bringing her happiness.

She expresses gratitude for her long, wonderful life and the support of her family.

Jeanette's art is a significant part of her life and legacy.

She makes plaster casts of her hands with her grandson for her family as a keepsake.

Jeanette believes she will be reaching from beyond the grave to her loved ones.

She wants to answer questions for future generations through her actions.

Dr. Weiler explains the medically assisted death process as similar to falling asleep without waking up.

Jeanette has full control and dignity over her death, choosing the time and manner.

She looks forward to reuniting with her ancestors in the afterlife.

Jeanette's family accepts and supports her decision, participating in the process.

A poem is read to Jeanette, emphasizing relaxation and returning to a timeless presence.

Jeanette feels relieved rather than brave, as she no longer has to suffer.

The family prepares for the doctor's arrival and the final moments with Jeanette.

Dr. Weiler explains the procedure and ensures Jeanette's consent is given freely.

Jeanette says her final goodbyes to her family, expressing her love and watching over them from the other realm.

The family reflects on the beautiful and peaceful death, with no pain or regrets.

Jeanette's granddaughter shares her new perspective on death after witnessing her great-grandmother's passing.