End prompts list of dreams

By Casey Neill
EMERALD hospice Fernlea House is demystifying death and talking up living – all with a piece of chalk.
During Palliative Care Week in May it ran interactive project ‘Before I die I want to…’ with Eastern Palliative Care.
Blackboards at libraries encouraged people to finish this phrase and share their dreams.
Fernlea House manager Helen Pike said the exercise got people thinking about what was important to them.
“And it was to encourage chatting about dying while we’re still living,” she said.
“It’s demystifying death.”
Seeing the Grand Canyon, bringing up children, meeting grandchildren, building a house, and driving a Ferrari were among hundreds of responses.
“It’s a fabulous program,” Ms Pike said.
And it’s just the beginning. Fernlea House and Eastern Palliative Care will now speak to local councils about securing blank walls to convert to blackboards.
“It’s a bit like constructive graffiti,” Ms Pike said.
Call Fernlea House on 5968 3895 to donate funds or volunteer.