Planning

Through candid and reflective interviews, this program explores the relationship between spirituality and health care, emphasizing the interdependence of body, mind and spirit. Professional chaplains of various faith backgrounds delve into the meaning of spirituality, as well as the role of a chaplain in 'being present.' Woven throughout, three patients—one, living with incurable cancer; one, a heart attack survivor; and one, diagnosed HIV-positive—take us through their inspirational search for meaning, and illustrate how spirituality, attitude, and connection to oneself and others can help patients look at life via a hopeful lens. Also offered are multiple tools, such as prayer, guided imagery and gratitude, to care for the human spirit. 'I choose to show up for life as a normal healthy person. And my attitude, my spirituality, my friends enable me to do so…' (Rita Foley, Patient)

How can this happen to me? What is life? Why has God abandoned me? Illness can provoke painful feelings, profound questions—and an insatiable quest for answers. Viewers will walk away from this program with the knowledge that they are not alone in their questions or their feelings: fear, abandonment, hopelessness and anger are common reactions to serious or chronic illness or end of life. Professional multi-faith chaplains empower them to dig deeply and embrace various methods for healing. As well, several patients share their inspirational journeys of how they found comfort and meaning, and respite from the storm. 'We don't know why. That's the part chaplains explore with people: the why…' (Rev. Jill Bowden, Chaplain)

Heavy and heartfelt conversations often need to take place when someone is ill—and, while rarely easy, they can help avoid harder issues down the road. Emphasizing the critical nature of these discussions, this program sets forth very practical approaches to effective communication among patients, family members/friends, and medical teams, including how to express needs and discuss the diagnosis, treatment plans and end-of-life wishes, as well as the 'why's' of having these conversations. Professional chaplains offer their insight, and patients and family caregivers drive home important messages with their own compelling stories. 'Once you start opening up like that and other people open up to you, you gather strength from that…' (Paul Makarenko, Patient)

Tackling a very real-world subject, professionals, family caregivers and patients themselves offer practical advice on how to get started in thinking about, talking about, and preparing essential legal and financial documents, such as a health care proxy, power of attorney, and will. Moreover, they explain why advance care planning before an illness is critical—spiritually, emotionally and practically—for individuals, their loved ones, and their clinicians. 'You're giving your family a gift by making your wishes known to them in advance… and it will give you peace of mind…' (Jeffrey Greener, Elder Law Attorney)