Episode Details

In this heartfelt episode of Don't Be Caught Dead, I sit down with the remarkable Judith Leeson AM, a passionate advocate for those living with disadvantage and a champion for end-of-life planning. At 90 years young, Judith shares her incredible journey, from her early memories during the Great Depression to her extensive career in early childhood, disability, and career development. We dive deep into the importance of having open conversations about death and dying, and how these discussions can empower us to take control of our futures.

Judith's insights are both profound and practical. She reflects on her own experiences with advance care planning, including the challenges she faced when navigating her husband Brian's recent Alzheimer's diagnosis. Judith emphasises the need for deeper literacy around death and dying, advocating for a shift in how we approach these conversations in our families and communities. With her unique blend of wisdom and warmth, Judith inspires us to embrace our mortality and plan for a dignified end of life that reflects our values and wishes.

Key points from our discussion:

- Advance Care planning is an investment in your future and should be a living document that evolves over time.
- Open conversations about death can foster understanding and connection within families.
- It's essential to choose a substitute decision-maker who truly understands your values and wishes.
- Death literacy should be integrated into the national educational curriculum to normalise discussions around dying.


Remember; You may not be ready to die, but at least you can be prepared.
Take care,
Catherine

Resources: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judith-leeson-am-8a497613/
Website: https://www.advancecareplanning.org.au/

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