Thinking Ahead: My Way, My Choice, My Life at the End

Thinking Ahead enables people with disabilities to advocate for themselves and stay in control of their lives through the very end, but can be used across communities concerned with self-direction and personal empowerment. It contains words, symbols and pictures that facilitate discussion with and decision-making regarding personal values, goals and treatment preferences at the end of life. The DVD serves as an instruction manual, containing vignettes that illustrate in simple, graphic format the purpose and use of the materials. Decisions about treatment, burial, personal belongings, and documenting final wishes are some of the issues discussed. Thinking Ahead is a testimony to the benefits of using peer mentoring and responsive coaching to approach this important conversation. There are three versions narrated in English, Spanish and Mandarin.

Video

Title: Thinking Ahead: My Way, My Choice, My Life at the End
Description: Thinking Ahead workbook and DVD advanced planning materials provide a mechanism for personal decision making regarding healthcare treatment preferences and related issues at the end of life.
Date: 2009
Languages: English, Spanish, Mandarin
Partner: California Department of Developmental Services/California Coalition for Compassionate Care
URL: www.dds.ca.gov   www.coalitionccc.org

Title: Thinking Ahead: The Importance of Advanced Planning
Description: Krisi Franzone recounts the recent loss of her husband and how significant end-of-life decisions and advance planning can assist all individuals, those with disabilities and without, to be more in control. With a commentary by the director of the California Coalition for Compassionate Care, Judy Citko.
Date: 2010
Language: English
Produced and donated by Board Resource Center

Title: Thinking Ahead: Remembering Donald Roberts
Description: Donald's passing was unexpected. He and his wife, Krisi, had started work on the Thinking Ahead: My Way, My Choice, My Life at the End workbook, but never finished it. Donald lived his life on his own terms. His final wishes would have been made more clear to his family had he completed the Thinking Ahead materials. Because Donald once lived in Stockton Developmental Center, he was one of the first advocates to push for the California Memorial Project. Art was how Donald expressed his feelings about the world around him. His desire to be a respected artist led him to create a personal Mission Statement that gave him the path to meet his goals.
Date: 2009
Language: English
Produced and donated by Board Resource Center

Title: Thinking Ahead: Connie and Betty Talk About Their Choices
Description: A personal account of two women with developmental disabilities, Betty and Connie, who chose to take greater control over their end-of-life planning, after each experienced life-changing events.
Date: 2009
Language: English
Produced and donated by Board Resource Center

Publications

Format: PDF
Date of Publication: 2009
Languages: English, Spanish, Mandarin

Format: PDF Forms
Date of Publication: 2009
Language: English

Presentations

Format: PDF
Date of Publication: 2010
Language: English
Client: Produced and donated by Board Resource Center

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