Glimpses into Alzheimer's: Reflections on the Doctor Patient Relationship

Dr. Tanja Daws was Wayne Briese's MAiD Assessor and Provider, Jule Briese was on that four year Alzheimer Journey with her husband Wayne and Tanja. Sharing that journey is 'Wayne's legacy' - which Jule hopes will help others understand why legislation for Assisted Dying/MAiD matters and the value of trust in the doctor/patient relationship. Jule's niece Kashmir Lesnick also spoke at the WFRTDS 2024 conference, an honest, brave account of what legislation meant to her.
Dr. Tanja Daws is a family physician and MAiD Provider practicing in the Comox Valley, in rural British Columbia, Canada. She traduated from The University of Pretoria in South Africa in 2000 and has worked in Canada since 2009. She was one of the first MAiD providers in BC upon legalization of MAiD in 2016 and is a founding member of CAMAP, the Canadian Association of MAiD Assessors and Providers. She is a clinical instructor in Family Medicine at the University of British Columbia and a member of the Physician Advisory Council for Dying with Dignity Canada. She chaired the working group tasked with the development of the topic “Providing MAiD” for the Canadian National MAiD Curriculum and continues to teach as a faculty member. She is experienced in teaching and developing MAiD services in rural locations, managing conscientious objection of facilities and medical colleagues, as well as developing family and friend support groups.
Jule Briese is an author, storyteller and workshop facilitator who enjoys creating opportunities for inspirational performances focusing on personal stories, songs and poetry. She lives in Qualicum Beach, British Columbia, Canada.Retiring from the classroom after 30 years of teaching, Jule has continued to nurture her interest in being a life-long learner. She earned her Certificate of Achievement in Conflict Resolution from the Justice Institute of B.C. completing 210 hours of training and a competency assessment in conflict resolution /negotiation. Jule also has a Death and Grief Studies Certification having successfully completed 150 hours of training in Death and Grief Studies under the supervision of Dr. Alan Wolfelt at the Center for Loss and Life Transition in Fort Collins, Colorado. A Certificate of Completion acknowledging 14 contact hours of Understanding Spiritual Pain was earned from the Sacred Art of Living Center for Spiritual Formation offered through Victoria Hospice Society in Victoria B.C.Jule has designed and facilitated workshops in the areas of creating a Win-Win Approach to Conflict Resolving, Nurturing Our Inner Garden, Nurturing Grief and Loss, Reconciling Grief Through Creativity and most recently Compassionate Support.