Remembering Audrey King

https://www.aftercare.org/obituaries/audrey-king-4/#!/Obituary

Audrey was treasured by family (see the obituary above), but also by the disability community of which she was an active and outspoken member. She was cared for by attendants, but notably, she was a caregiver as well. She worked as a psychologist at Bloorview MacMillan Centre for 30 years, counselling and advising thousands of disabled kids. After retirement, she cared for her mother who had Alzheimer’s. She was an accomplished artist and author, a nature lover, a hiker and a role model to many.

In the embedded video, made before Track 2 MAiD was a thing, she refers to a very upsetting series of encounters with medical staff while she was in hospital fighting off a vicious flu. Within her earshot, nurses discussed why she was still alive, why she hadn’t been just “allowed” to die, and why active euthanasia measures were not being taken. Audrey was not well enough to respond. Fortunately, she had very loyal attendants present in the hospital with her at all times, and they protested on her behalf. She had enough to do just fighting off the pneumonia that was threatening her life. She didn’t need to be fighting off “compassionate” intervention as well! She said (at 6:50 in the video), “For people with significant disabilities, I think it’s very dangerous to be alone in a hospital.” This has only become more true since the introduction of Track 2 MAiD.

Audrey will be sadly missed by many. May she rest in peace. A celebration of life will be held in her honour. Date and location to be confirmed.