About CircleSpace |
Our PASSION is helping people and their families
find peace of mind and peace of heart in a time of great stress.
Our GOAL is for you and your loved ones to feel
comforted, informed and empowered in your end-of-life journey.
CircleSpace offers emotional, physical, spiritual and pragmatic support and comfort for you and your loved ones before, during and after death.
We do not:
- Offer counselling, financial, medical or legal services or advice
- Perform clinical tasks like giving medications or any other medical interventions
- Make decisions for you
- Produce a "good death" or guarantee the plans you make
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Hello community,
People often ask me, "why do you do this work?" I could say I'm drawn to it because I believe everyone deserves comfort and quality care at end-of-life. I could say it's because I love being a part of peoples lives as they are learning so much about themselves and what matters most. But, my biggest motivator is simply that death has always been a pivotal part of my life and working in this field reminds me how truly precious life is. When I was 16 years old, my dad was diagnosed with a glioblastoma brain tumor. In that moment, my world changed. |
I watched him undergo grueling treatment. I witnessed my step-mother care for him with love and ferocity. Most importantly, I learned how to "do death well" by watching my mum mindfully tend to our family and guide us through his dying and death.
For many years after my dad’s death, the reality of my mortality haunted me. Especially the nagging sense that I could get sick at any moment and die before I'd had the chance to fully live my life. Over time, I transformed my fears into empowerment. A natural planner, I realized that naming what I was most afraid of and making a plan to soothe those fears would allow me to find peace again. Now a mum of two little ones ages 4 and 7, I'm energized by helping individuals and families move through the fear and silence that surround death.
Well, that WAS my story.
My world changed again in April 2019, when my mother was diagnosed with her own glioblastoma brain tumor.
For months, I reeled from the shock: how could both my parents die of the same rare disease? What did it mean? Why was the universe bringing this tragedy to me?
In the midst of this pain, I also felt deep gratitude. Gratitude that I knew the landscape we were being thrust in to: first, the emergency room, then hospital admission... Cancer Centre visits and community and private home care... and eventually, Hospice. Through it all, I held space for my mum and our family to grieve together, to laugh together, and to mark important milestones as she (and we) gradually let go of this life.
Being a family caregiver was the hardest job I've ever had (executor for my mum's estate was a close second). I've seen first-hand how being prepared for dying and death can ease your suffering and lighten your family's grief. I know how important it is to have a well-composed advance directive so your healthcare wishes are honoured. I've seen the relief a comfort care plan can bring as it helps you feel human in what can feel like in-human situations. I know the worth of holding on to pieces of yourself by doing life completion and legacy work, even as you are being transformed through these experiences in to someone new.
It is an honour and privilege to share my experience and deep knowledge of our care systems with you and your family as you embark on this new and uncertain journey. I look forward to meeting you and learning how I can be of service.
Chelsea has an End-of-Life Doula certificate from Douglas College and is a member of the End-of-Life Doula Association of Canada. She also has a Masters Degree in Education from the University of British Columbia and a Certificate in Human Rights Education from Equitas International Centre for Human Rights Education in Montreal.
For many years after my dad’s death, the reality of my mortality haunted me. Especially the nagging sense that I could get sick at any moment and die before I'd had the chance to fully live my life. Over time, I transformed my fears into empowerment. A natural planner, I realized that naming what I was most afraid of and making a plan to soothe those fears would allow me to find peace again. Now a mum of two little ones ages 4 and 7, I'm energized by helping individuals and families move through the fear and silence that surround death.
Well, that WAS my story.
My world changed again in April 2019, when my mother was diagnosed with her own glioblastoma brain tumor.
For months, I reeled from the shock: how could both my parents die of the same rare disease? What did it mean? Why was the universe bringing this tragedy to me?
In the midst of this pain, I also felt deep gratitude. Gratitude that I knew the landscape we were being thrust in to: first, the emergency room, then hospital admission... Cancer Centre visits and community and private home care... and eventually, Hospice. Through it all, I held space for my mum and our family to grieve together, to laugh together, and to mark important milestones as she (and we) gradually let go of this life.
Being a family caregiver was the hardest job I've ever had (executor for my mum's estate was a close second). I've seen first-hand how being prepared for dying and death can ease your suffering and lighten your family's grief. I know how important it is to have a well-composed advance directive so your healthcare wishes are honoured. I've seen the relief a comfort care plan can bring as it helps you feel human in what can feel like in-human situations. I know the worth of holding on to pieces of yourself by doing life completion and legacy work, even as you are being transformed through these experiences in to someone new.
It is an honour and privilege to share my experience and deep knowledge of our care systems with you and your family as you embark on this new and uncertain journey. I look forward to meeting you and learning how I can be of service.
Chelsea has an End-of-Life Doula certificate from Douglas College and is a member of the End-of-Life Doula Association of Canada. She also has a Masters Degree in Education from the University of British Columbia and a Certificate in Human Rights Education from Equitas International Centre for Human Rights Education in Montreal.
Chelsea provides an excellent toolkit and reference package to help individuals create a plan that is right for them. She guides participants through a thorough step-by-step process to create an ACP with knowledge, sensitivity and compassion. Dr. Lori MacFarlane, InspireHealth
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What is an End-of-Life Doula?
An end-of-life doula (pronounced DOO-luh) is a professional trained in end-of-life care who offers comfort, information and guidance to individuals and families through the transformative experience of dying and death. We provide emotional, physical, spiritual and pragmatic support to individuals and families who have recently received a life-limiting diagnosis, are nearing death, and after death.
We never replace a family member who is a part of a person’s circle of support. Instead, we lift up and support loved ones so they can be fully present. We help families make plans and prepare them for what is around the corner and hold space for important conversations. We fade away when we're not needed and take up the slack when information, compassion and support are required.
No matter your goals, our purpose is to help you and your loved ones find comfort while navigating end-of-life with grace and dignity, so you can focus on what matters most: quality time together.
We never replace a family member who is a part of a person’s circle of support. Instead, we lift up and support loved ones so they can be fully present. We help families make plans and prepare them for what is around the corner and hold space for important conversations. We fade away when we're not needed and take up the slack when information, compassion and support are required.
No matter your goals, our purpose is to help you and your loved ones find comfort while navigating end-of-life with grace and dignity, so you can focus on what matters most: quality time together.
The CircleSpace Team
CircleSpace works closely with other service providers and businesses to offer holistic and comprehensive support for end-of-life planning:
Empathy
Each person is a unique individual with gifts and vulnerabilities. We will meet you wherever you are in your journey with kindness, curiosity and without judgement.
Humour
Laughter is an essential part of life, even when doing the serious work of planning for end-of-life.
Honesty
We hold space for difficult conversations and say what needs to be said with compassion and candor.
Continuous Learning
Every relationship is a learning opportunity. We ask for feedback so we can do better.
Community
It takes a village! We collaborate with other service providers to wrap circles of support around the people we work with. We give back to the community that nurtures us.
Death is Normal
It’s important to remember this value as we age (and come closer to our own deaths) and as we accompany our loved ones through their end-of-life. There is freedom in embracing our mortality. As Thich Nhat Hanh says,
Each person is a unique individual with gifts and vulnerabilities. We will meet you wherever you are in your journey with kindness, curiosity and without judgement.
Humour
Laughter is an essential part of life, even when doing the serious work of planning for end-of-life.
Honesty
We hold space for difficult conversations and say what needs to be said with compassion and candor.
Continuous Learning
Every relationship is a learning opportunity. We ask for feedback so we can do better.
Community
It takes a village! We collaborate with other service providers to wrap circles of support around the people we work with. We give back to the community that nurtures us.
Death is Normal
It’s important to remember this value as we age (and come closer to our own deaths) and as we accompany our loved ones through their end-of-life. There is freedom in embracing our mortality. As Thich Nhat Hanh says,
"I am of the nature to grow old. There is no way to escape growing old. I am of the nature to have ill health. There is no way to escape ill health. I am of the nature to die. There is no way to escape death. All that is dear to me and everyone I love are of the nature to change. There is no way to escape being separated from them. My actions are my only true belongings. I cannot escape the consequences of my actions. My actions are the ground upon which I stand. "
I am grateful to the thoughtful guidance to walk us through so we know where to go. It is a time-consuming process to create an entire plan but Chelsea and Shylene were caring and wise guides to start us on this journey. |
CircleSpace participant