About Laura

I am fascinated by people and passionate about improving others' lives. I have a keen ability to connect with people of all ages and walks of life. I have a deep sense of empathy which gives me the ability to listen to what people are saying and to hear what they are not saying — reading the pain points and challenges. It is very important to me for those around me to feel safe and heard. I am an organizer, helper, information gatherer and lifelong learner. Details guide me and goals direct me. I help others in a variety of ways as a business owner, advance care facilitator, artist, writer, altar creator, speaker, and as a mother, wife, and daughter.

Why I am passionate about being an Advance Care facilitator

Ten years ago my grandmother passed away in a Boulder retirement home at the age of 96. During the last few years of her life she faced many challenges, and decisions had to be made. Some decisions were fairly easy; others were harder. I felt incredibly grateful to live nearby and also that my parents and other extended family did as well. It was a very moving experience and one that I feel honored to have been part of. Fast forward to now and our two boys are both young adults and my parents are in their 80s and each is facing serious health challenges. I have been helping my parents with many things related to finances, home care, doctors appointments, and more. It has been a huge learning process and also very rewarding. I feel honored to be able to help.

I have directly experienced the challenge of trying to talk with aging parents about their Advance Care plans and I'm quite familiar with the "Oh you'll know what I want" response. Having conversations around one's health wishes can be emotionally challenging. It is a necessary discussion — one of the most important talks we can have with our loved ones.

"Plan for what is difficult while it is easy, do what is great while it is still small." – Sun Tzu

Contact: laura@littleduckplanning.com

"Culturally, now, we're really tight around death, and as a result I think people miss out on a lot of the beautiful aspects of the end of life process that can be very helpful for the grieving process, that can be a really beautiful part of transition of life that we don't get to experience because it's not in the conversation."
— Brittany Maynard

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"Having the choice at the end of my life has become incredibly important. It has given me a sense of peace during a time that otherwise would be dominated by fear, uncertainty and pain."
— Chrysta Bell