About Me I started The Road Ahead to fill a vacuum I have witnessed: the lack of education, preparation and support for facing our own end of life or that of our loved ones. A rapidly aging population, anxiety about growing old and medical advances that extend life all present us with many challenges. But when we have to confront these difficult and unfolding moments where can we turn? The Road Ahead is a dynamic and inclusive practice that offers individuals and families both practical and emotional assistance and support to engage with the end of life. As a non-judgmental and compassionate listener and guide, I can help you in many ways and at various points along this road. This includes planning and coaching, as well as bedside care, all offered in a comforting environment and geared toward wherever you find yourself on this road or what you feel ready to address. The specific tools and activities that can be provided include a continuum of choices to meet individual and family needs: guidance for the Health Care Proxy, Advanced Directives & Final Wishes completing the checklist for ‘putting your affairs in order’ discussion on facing mortality and confronting fears help to define what matters most in the end counsel on holding difficult conversations with loved ones creating a personal legacy project to honor and remember understanding the important role of forgiveness using meditation and other methods for self care bedside companionship and vigils consideration of alternative residential & hospice settings funeral planning dealing with grief and loss ﷯I have designed my practice to support you to move toward finding comfort with the idea or actuality of the end of life. I make a commitment to meet you where you are at, and help you to tackle whatever difficulties or unknowns you may have. While life always holds out uncertainty, the end of life is an especially challenging time. Talking it through with an objective person can be beneficial to addressing the insecurities this presents. Knowing that we all face similar doubts and fears is perhaps what connects us to each other and our humanity. I have spent many decades working with vulnerable families and individuals who are living with the challenges of poverty, homelessness, HIV/AIDS, drug use and mental illness. Schooled and practiced in the disciplines required for this work, I came to understand that alongside the material needs people have, are the ‘psychic needs’ that I define for comfort, relief from emotional pain, respite from stress, to belong and be part of a community. Grappling with this challenge, I have identified a most basic want: for those who are both healthy and ill to face their most glaring vulnerability – the end of their own life, as well as that of the people they love. In the last several years I have engaged in the study and practice of end of life contemplative care through education, hospice work, and perhaps most importantly, assisting my own loved ones in their end of life struggles. I have a Masters in Psychology, and I am a graduate of the Zen Center for Contemplative Care’s Foundations in Contemplative Care and End of Life Doula Programs. I have been a hospice volunteer, trained in death vigil work, and continue to develop my skills and practice in these areas. I am also a long-time yoga and meditation practitioner.