Read time: 4 minutes
By Martin Dumont
When Audrey Bouchard, a nurse from Sainte-Anne-des-Lacs, learned that her husband, Simon, had contacted Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS), her life and that of her family were profoundly shaken.
Just two years after the diagnosis, Simon chose medical assistance in dying. At a time when every second counts, Audrey sought help – immediate, humane and suited to her needs. It was at that moment that Palliacco entered the life of her family.
An Invaluable Help for the Children
Preparing children for the imminent death of a parent is a challenge that few families are prepared to address alone.
“In the private sector, it is difficult to get help quickly. What surprised me about Palliacco was the rapidity of the response. Two volunteers were assigned to my children. They took the time to build trust, to listen to them and to give them a secure space for their grief. They only had a few meetings, but they were essential. There was nothing in the healthcare network that could have met that need. Palliacco was the only organization to step forward, and that changed everything”, Audrey explained.
Relief for an Exhausted Caregiver
As Simon’s full-time caregiver, Audrey was juggling her husband’s care, her role as mother, and her own emotions.
“With the children and Simon’s care, I was exhausted. I received individual aid from Palliacco’s Saint-Sauveur office. The volunteer listened to me, and her presence was a tremendous relief.
Accompaniment in Grief
After Simon’s death, Audrey joined a grief support group offered by Palliacco.
“I needed to talk to people who truly understood what I was living, without reference to Simon. The programme was very well structured, with themes that touched on daily realities that one does not think about. Those encounters became my outings, a moment for myself, where I felt welcomed, not judged.”
Her children were also helped by an accompaniment adapted to their needs. Drawing, stories, games: the volunteers found kind and creative ways to help them express their emotions.
With much gratitude, Audrey sums up her experience:
“It was really the organization that was truly there for us — kind, prompt and free. I only have good things to say.”
When serious illness or the end-of-life strikes, it is essential not to be alone.
Thanks to Audrey for reminding us of the importance of asking for help.
Would you have the courage to seek help if and when you needed it?