Welcoming Change: An Evolving Newsletter
by Loren Talbot & Lisa Feldstein
The morning sun is struggling to rise up in our part of the country, perhaps knowing it has much work to do with heaps of snow to melt and people to warm. We too are warming up, as newer members of the INELDA team Lisa and I have been working to expand our newsletter– creating new content that will allow the community to know each other better, providing some practical tips, and allowing for shared resources for end of life doula care that will continue to strengthen each other’s work.
The first of these changes will appear in our next issue with an INELDA community member profile. Each month we will be reaching out to one of our readers to share their story about working as an end of life doula. We know, after reading our inaugural interview provided by Martha Heyman, an INELDA Certified EOL Doula from Corpus Christi, Texas, that you will appreciate the power and inspiration of these stories. Here is just a snippet of her words to give you a glimpse into what she has to say about becoming a doula:
By now in my life, both my father and little brother were dead–unexpectedly, and far from me. I had cradled beloved pets, resolving it was time for goodbyes. But this had been the first time I watched dying consume a life. It changed me. It rearranged who I was forever.
These profiles will relate how the doula came to this work and give us insight into what keeps them going each and every day. We will be profiling doulas serving in different environments–from urban institutions to rural homes, connecting with diverse populations, and carrying into their practice distinct backgrounds and tools. We see this section not only as a window into our growing community, but also as a powerful instrument to further our growth as doulas or simply as people interested in exploring the issues of mortality and end-of-life care.
We also want you to know us better. Over the past year at INELDA, some of us have shifted into different roles, while others of us are new to the team or the Board of Trustees. We will continue to use this newsletter to further an ongoing dialogue, advance our mission of changing the face of dying and give continued exposure to the people involved in this work.
This month we dove in deep with our newest Board member, Pastor Corey L. Kennard. Lisa had an engaging conversation with Pastor Corey that highlights his calling, his marriage of spirituality with healthcare, the people that supported him along his journey, and his thoughts about advancing the doula approach with African Americans. The first part of the conversation appears in this month’s issue; the second part will appear in the March issue. We are sure you’ll find Pastor Corey’s infectious energy and deep insights shine through his words. His remarks left both of us exhilarated.
Lastly, we will be changing the timeframe for publication of our newsletter. Traditionally the newsletter has come out towards the end of each month. Starting in March, be on the lookout for your copy of the newsletter to come out in the first week of the month. We are shifting the publication schedule to allow for more timely information and notice of upcoming events through the month. We will continue to highlight our training sessions, classes, webinars and groups in each issue. The newsletter will also inform you of the latest changes and happenings at INELDA.
As we grow, we hope that you will grow with us and see yourself as an extended part of the INELDA family. Feel free to reach out to us at [email protected]