People we've met

Wendy's journey with motor neuron disease, or ALS, brought us into contact with some remarkable and wonderful people. Her personal support workers are the ones we know best. Several times I've mentioned Sharon Morrison, and her photo has appeared on this blog. Sara Kerrigan merits more than the passing mention I gave her. At first she seemed such a kid, only 22 years old, half way through her nursing degree at Ottawa U, working part time as a PSW, aspiring to specialize in palliative care nursing. In the months she has been coming here she has matured, become more proficient, more self-confident. She has an outstanding role model in Jodi Gannon, the visiting nurse who came every day. Jodi is the epitome of everything a good nurse should be: skillful, competent, compassionate, charismatic, a splendid professional. I would love to have had her on my team. Courtney Henderson, occupational therapist is another who went the extra mile on Wendy's behalf. There were others too, nutritionists, nurses, and above all of them, Louise Coulombe, MD, palliative care specialist physician, whose wisdom and experience and calm words of comfort sustained both of us through Wendy's journey. In a separate category each and every member of the entire team at the ALS Clinic gave Wendy their undivided attention whenever we went there. As her disease progressed and her needs changed, the focus shifted from one part of the team to another, but throughout the course of her illness, every one of them seemed to us to have the same compassionate approach that makes all the difference to the patient's level of comfort and confidence. I am profoundly grateful to them all, can't find adequate words to express my gratitude.