This episode is the second part of the story of Gayle Garlock, a man diagnosed with Lewey Body Dementia, who legally accessed Medical Aid-in-Dying in Victoria, Canada in 2019. We spoke to Geoff Garlock, one of Gayle’s three sons, who provided us with insight into who Gayle was as a father, husband, and person. We will also hear, once again, from Barbara, to dive deeper into how Gayle’s death resonates with her to this day. Both Geoff and Barbara help us paint a picture of how Gayle’s MAiD impacted his family and community, both before and in the years since his death.

In part one, we spoke to Gayle’s wife, Barbara, as well as Gayle’s MAiD provider, Dr. Stefanie Green, about the legal, clinical, and ethical challenges he faced in accessing MAiD with a dementia diagnosis.

It was Gayle’s wish that his story be told. So we encourage you to share this podcast and continue the conversation in your community.

The CBC radio piece mentioned in this podcast is linked here.

Additionally, Barbara was kind enough to allow us to publicly share her diary during the time that Gayle was pursuing MAiD. Barbara’s Diary chronicles the process all the way up until the day Gayle died, and provides additional insight into what Barbara was thinking and experiencing as a wife and caregiver. Barbara’s MAiD diary is available to read on the Completed Life Journal.

If you wish to add your voice to our podcast with a perspective on a Completed Life, whether for yourself or a loved one, please reach out to us via email at [email protected]. We welcome your submissions.

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Voices of the Completed Life is a podcast brought to you by the Completed Life Initiative (www.completedlife.org). Here, we share unprecedented conversations at the heart of the human experience. Each of our guests hold unique, and deeply ingrained philosophies on a life well lived. As our hosts dive into honest conversations about mortality, loss and grief, we hear first hand experiences from individuals who are grappling with what it means to live a completed life.