Art of Dying Volume II | Page 48

NED BUSKIRK I am a lay person. I didn’t go to school for the work that I do. I’m not a doctor. I'm not a social worker. I don't have a job at a hospice. I do volunteer at a hospice, but that came later to legitimize and further explore this conversation about death and dying. I wanted “You're Going To Die” to be more than just a show. It’s inspired me to research and invest my time in ways that help me see deeply into this and maybe get a little, if I could be so bold, wisdom that I can share. I am a lay person. This is our death, and our approach to it, and our experience of it, and our work around it is ours. It should be that unique. We shouldn't let people take over the driver's seat. And while there's plenty of wisdom out there and plenty of doctors and nurses and social workers and chaplains and whatever you want to fill the blanks, it's ourselves that need to take responsibility for our relationship with death. Death has a lot of sides, and most of them are understandable. I accept when someone comes to my show and they're like, "I can't deal with this." Or they hear the show’s name and say, "I don't want to go." I completely understand, and I would never force the issue. I get it. NEIL BUSKIRK 48 | ART OF DYING