As we are approaching our Legends for Literacy Gala 2024, and as the Honorary Chair of this event, I thought it would be appropriate to inspire you on the importance of education with some quotable quotes.
- An investment in knowledge plays the best interest. - Ben Franklin
- A person who won’t read has no advantage over one who can’t. - Mark Twain
- Education is a movement from darkness to light - Alan Bloom
- Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. - Nelson Mandela
- Education is the passport to the future for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today. - Malcolm X
- If you think education is expensive, try ignorance. - Andy McIntyre
- Children must be taught how to think, not what to think. - Margaret Mead
And one of my favorites that I included in my Gala ad, Reading can seriously damage your ignorance.
Now that you are all inspired on the value of education and literacy, dig deep, sign up now for the Rotary Gala on October 17th and ask all of your friends and associates to support it.
Guests
Seth Kurn, husband of Barbara Harris
On Zoom
Rob Black, Emily Bernstein, Don Saracen, Lew Hassell, Sam New, Paul Pimentel
Announcements
Legends for Literacy Gala is October 17th. Don Saracen reported that we have $55,000 in sponsorships. Ad and logos’ need to be sent to Art Norwalk.
Rotary After Dark- Eight club members along with their spouses attended trivia night at Narragansett Brewery on September 30th. The next “Rotary After Dark” will be on Thursday, October 24th at the Blue Room from 7pm to 9 pm. in Pawtuxet Village, Cranston. Troylynda William’s father, Paul William will be playing that night. Reservations are needed so contact Kris David if you can attend. The cost is $10 at the door. For those wanted to eat prior to the show there are several restaurants close by In the village.
Happy Bucks
- Bill Applegate was happy to see Rob Black joining us on zoom.
- Barbara Harris-happy that her husband Seth joined us today; she enjoyed the Rotary of the Dark at Narragansett Brewery and is looking forward to listening to Paul Williams at the Blue Room.
- Anthony Hollingshead is excited to attend a family wedding at the Hull Yacht Club on Saturday.
- Mary Brewster- enjoyed her vacation on Block Island.
- Kristine David-Spent time last week in NYC with her high school classmates from the Wheeler School. One of the highlights was seeing the Alvin Alley exhibition at the Whitney. On a sad note, she reported that Past District Lou Marciano, who would be turning 100 in late October was home receiving hospice care. As we are going to print we have heard that Lou Marciano passed away on October 4th.
- President Pete Brock was happy that his older brother, Ray and his sister-in-law Kathy were arriving in Boston for a visit. They will be heading up north to the coast of Maine to see the fall foliage
Speakers
End of Life RI - role of a Death Doula.
Julia Brough is a digital marketer during the day. During COVID she attended a certificate program for Death Doula’s at the University of Vermont. She met fellow doula, Judith Sutphen, and in November of 2022 they founded
End of Life Rhode Island.
End of Life RI’s mission is to educate the public about the role of the death doula as well as raise public awareness around death, dying, and the emerging end-of life planning and support options available in Rhode Island.
Caitlin Doughty, a mortician and funeral home activists says the “Death avoidance is not an individual failing, it’s a cultural one.”
End of life doulas are trained in holistic care modalities for the express purpose of bringing comfort and peace to those at the end of life. They provide emotional, spiritual and practical care to the dying person and their family. Death doula’s are non-judgmental, but do not provide medical care as done by hospice providers.
The patient is always at the center. Death doula’s can act as a case manager to help the patient manage their last days. The Doula has the advantage of not being part of the family, so they are not dealing with emotions, and grief.
The doula can help the patient express their fears/anxieties and make decisions on what they want to happen with their personal belongings, their remains and funeral arrangements. They help with helping with a patients fears/anxieties; planning a funeral; assist with legacy & completion work; and organizing care and visitation for goodbyes coordination.
Doula’s can provide daily comfort and support to the patient and family. They can relieve stress for a family by doing light household chores in the home; sit with the patient; and keep the client aware of what is happening as a patient’s hearing is the last sense to go before a person passes away. After death the doula can prepare the body to assist in cleaning and dressing the body, make phone calls to the medical providers, and the funeral home. They are paid privately, and the cost varies depending on the doula’s rates.
Reaching out to arrange services of a death doula when the patient can communicate and learn to trust a doula to express their wishes is best. The earlier we all think of what we want to happen at the end of life is something we all need to plan.
