Carole Silvoy (Cattie Rosca) - Death Cafe
The HAC Presenters Series 3
“Every kind of loss is a little death.” - Carole Silvoy
Carole Silvoy has a very special gift - the ability to be present and “hold space” for others who are grappling with death. She is a trained “Death Doula,” also known as a “Death Companion.” Her training at the International End of Life Doula Association (INELDA) taught her to listen - to help her clients hear their own truth, whether in words or silence.
Introduced to Second Life (SL) in 2007 by her brother, Carole (aka Cattie Rosca) has been exploring and working in virtual reality ever since. She has been a professional singer, owned a region called Esoterica, and published a magazine for five years called, Retropolitan Magazine. “The global community of SL has been a particular pleasure,” she says. “Singing for people all over the globe has been so much fun!”
However, it was bringing her knowledge and experience as a Death Doula to Second Life and starting “Death Cafe” that took her work to a whole new level. Death Cafe is a Second Life group that meets regularly to discuss death. “People from all over share their perceptions and experiences with Death. Cultural differences related to death are quite varied,” Carole says. More recently, Carol has started “After Care,” which gives those who were involved in caring for a someone who has passed a chance to speak openly about the challenges they experienced after they were no longer in the caregiver role.
Carole will be taking part in three presentations at the HAC conference.
“After Caring”
Caregivers (i.e. those who take care of family or friends near the end of their life), can be real superheroes. However, when their caregiver roles are finished, a huge void can open in their lives. Many are left wondering what to do with all the energy, time, and love they devoted to someone who is no longer with them. After Caring meetings provide opportunities for former caregivers to listen to and share with one another in hopes of finding ways to turn their energies to self-care.
Date: Tuesday, May 16th
Time: 2:00 pm
Location: https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Inspiration%20Island/142/229/38
“Where Did They Go? My SL Living Will” with Shyla the Super Gecko
This presentation addresses the question, “How would your friends in Second Life know if something happened to you, and would you like your avatar to live on?
In this presentation and discussion, Shyla and Cattie will offer a template for ways to connect your Regular Life with your Second Life.
Date: Wednesday, May 17th
Time: 12:00 pm (SLT), 3:00 pm (EDT) and 7:00 pm (GMT)
Location: https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Inspiration%20Island/142/229/38
“Death Cafe”
Join Carole’s regularly scheduled group as members meet to increase awareness of death and help one another make the most of their finite lives. Death Cafe has no agenda, objectives or themes. It is not a grief support or counseling session. In the group people - often strangers - gather to eat cake, drink tea, and discuss death. Want to know more? Visit www.deathcafe.org.
Date: Wednesday, May 17th
Time: 1:00 pm (SLT), 4:00 pm (EDT), and 8:00 pm (GMT)
Location: https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Inspiration%20Island/142/229/38
-Jena Ball (Jenaia Morane)
Bio - In Her Own Words
I am a Death Companion, aka Death Doula. As a Doula, I don't teach, I listen. Doulas help you hear your own truth whether in words or silence. In addition, I am a “Holding Space Consultant.” Holding Space is a time when my focus is on you, what is on your heart and on your mind. I listen, help you hear your own questions and answers. Sometimes we just sit in silence together - It is often enough in a moment to just BE.
I like to say that every kind of loss is a little death- a job change, a relationship, loss of a friendship, or a pet. Holding space together with those little deaths is a comforting pathway through the loss to a new understanding. That is what I do.
I consider myself an open and spiritual being. Your faith may or may not be part of what you wish to hold close; if so, that is an element that can be woven throughout your experience with a Doula. I am also adept and comfortable in non-spiritual roles.
I hope that I can be a supportive resource for those facing and planning the end of life as well as those in grief.
LINKS
Website: https://GoodDeathCompanion.com
Other Resources:
INELDA: https://inelda.org
DEATH CAFE: https://deathcafe.com
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