Amanda’s final wish comes true

Redwater care team, community make her end-of-life dream a reality

Story by Lisa Laferriere

REDWATER — For Amanda Flynn, a summer evening in August became an unforgettable gift — a backyard-style barbecue surrounded by loving family, friends and the care teams who stood by her on her final healthcare journey.

“It was amazing that people took the time out of their lives to come and be with me,” said the 52-year-old. “And the palliative team is wonderful for coming together to do this for us. It shows they care.”

Bedbound for months and living with advanced illness, Amanda’s wish was simple: to gather with her loved ones one last time.

Thanks to the compassion and hard work of her care teams, including registered nurse Lisa Nydegger, recreation therapists Britney Swaffield and Denise Boulerice, and palliative-care team nurse manager Shannen Sinclair, her wish became a reality with an assist from the Oneday Dreams charity which helps grant final wishes for adults with terminal illness.

“Oneday Dreams is completely volunteer-driven,” says Linda Sabatini, volunteer chair of the Dream Fulfilment Committee. “We’re funded through donations, events and foundations, and every dollar goes directly toward helping someone live their ‘one-day dream’ — a special moment that really matters to them.”

When Britney Swaffield, Amanda’s recreation therapist, reached out to Oneday Dreams, the organization worked quickly to make travel possible for three family members from Newfoundland to visit Amanda.

“It started out as a small idea,” says Nydegger. “Amanda had been bedbound since January, and we thought, ‘We need to have a party for her.’ Amanda was hesitant at first, but after talking it through and making plans that worked for her and her family, she was ready.”

“We were able to help facilitate travel for some of Amanda’s family, covering the cost of airfare, accommodations and a rental car,” says Sabatini. “These are the kinds of dreams that really touch our hearts.”

With help from staff at the Redwater Health Centre, including maintenance and food services staff, Oneday Dreams, and local businesses, the team organized a barbecue with Amanda’s friends and family who traveled from across the country to join the event, which was held Aug. 15.

Though they had initially hoped to hold the barbecue outdoors, weather and medical needs meant setting up and decorating a space inside the health centre, in a common area.

In total, about 20 people attended, including family and friends — some of whom she hadn’t been able to see for years, and some from as far as the East Coast. Her current care team, as well acute care staff who previously cared for her, also came.

Amanda’s mother, Sandra Flynn, describes the day as deeply moving. “It touched my heart to see how many lives Amanda has touched and how special she truly is — it was just wonderful.”

The local IGA in Redwater donated food, while White Feather Photography took professional photos. One of Amanda’s daughters collected handwritten notes from those in attendance, as well as Polaroid photos, for a memory book she was putting together.

“It was laughter, food and time together,” adds Nydegger. “Amanda took the opportunity to speak to everyone there and share what they meant to her. Others shared how she had touched their lives, too. It was very special, and I think everyone was emotional.” Amanda found the experience very meaningful.

“I appreciate the visits and conversations that needed to happen, and I was able to recognize and thank people along the way.”

When asked what stood out most about the day, Amanda added: “To see all my colleagues, family and friends in one room to be with me. It was beautiful, how many people showed up to be there on my behalf, and spoke.”

For Swaffield, the event reflected the heart of her profession as a recreation therapist, and brought important meaning and normalcy to the end-of-life experience.

“As recreation therapists, one of our roles is to help patients do what matters most to them — it’s about maintaining that human side of things and supporting patients where they’re at,” says Swaffield. Boulerice echoes this sentiment.

“This event showed how, through collaboration — within our teams, the community and organizations like Oneday Dreams — we can make anything happen if it’s the right time and place and meaningful for the patient,” she says. “It also demonstrates how, in palliative care, there’s plenty of room for joy, connection and peace.”

Staff went above and beyond to grant Amanda’s wish.

“Many adjusted their schedules and coordinated logistics up to the last minute to make it work,” says Sinclair. “Palliative care is about improving quality of life in every way possible — and celebrating Amanda in this way really highlighted that.”

Amanda’s family expressed deep gratitude for the event, calling it “amazing” and “unbelievable” in how it came together seamlessly.

Sandra adds: “I’ve never seen something like this in my life — the amount of support the team has provided for us from every aspect of our care. They are truly wonderful people.”

For the care team, the event reaffirmed why they do this work.

“We’re all in this profession because we care,” says Nydegger. “We’ll do whatever we can to make a patient’s journey what they want it to be.”

To date, Oneday Dreams has helped fulfil more than 150 wishes for adults across Canada.

“It’s all about helping people experience that one meaningful day,” says Sabatini. “None of it would be possible without the healthcare teams who bring these dreams forward and help facilitate the events at the local level.”

Amanda passed away peacefully on Oct. 10 at the Redwater Health Centre.

For more information about Oneday Dreams, visit onedaydreams.ca. Family and friends interested in learning how they can help make wishes come true for palliative care patients or loved ones are encouraged to speak with their care team directly.