Redesigning Death: A Journey to Prioritize Beauty, Wonder, and Liberation

Redesigning Death: A Journey to Prioritize Beauty, Wonder, and Liberation

As I reflect on my life, I am reminded of the day that changed everything. It was my sophomore year of college, and I was horsing around with friends on top of a parked commuter train. In a split second, 11,000 volts of electricity coursed through my body, leaving me with devastating injuries. My limbs were gone, and my life was forever altered.

That near-death experience began my journey as a patient and eventually led me to become a physician specializing in hospice and palliative medicine. I've seen firsthand the flaws in our healthcare system, which prioritizes diseases over people. But I've also witnessed the beauty of human resilience and the power of design thinking in healthcare.

My experience taught me that suffering is an inherent part of life, but it's also a catalyst for growth and transformation. I learned to appreciate the little things – a snowball on my burning skin, a favorite meal, or a beloved pet's presence – that can bring solace to those suffering. These moments of beauty and wonder can help us find meaning and purpose, even in the darkest times.

As I navigated my own journey, I began to question the way we approach death and dying. Why do we focus so much on curing diseases, rather than caring for the people affected by them? Why do we prioritize technology and treatment over comfort and compassion? And what can we do to create a more humane and beautiful end-of-life experience?

These questions led me to the Zen Hospice Project, where I work with a team of caregivers who prioritize comfort, dignity, and beauty. We've created a space that feels more like a home than a hospital, where patients can find peace and solace in their final days. We've learned that it's the little things – a warm bath, a favorite book, or a beautiful sunset – that can bring joy and meaning to those who are dying.

But our work is not just about providing comfort; it's also about challenging the status quo. We're pushing against a healthcare system that prioritizes profit over people, and technology over touch. We're advocating for a more compassionate and holistic approach to care, one that honors the beauty and wonder of life, even in its final moments.

As I look back on my journey, I'm reminded that death is not just an ending, but also a beginning. It's a chance for us to reflect on our lives, to find meaning and purpose, and to connect with others on a deeper level. It's a reminder that every moment matters, and that every life is precious.

In this article, I'll explore the flaws in our current healthcare system, the power of design thinking in healthcare, and the importance of prioritizing beauty, wonder, and liberation in our approach to death and dying. I'll share stories from my own journey, as well as those of my patients, to illustrate the need for a more compassionate and holistic approach to care.

The Flaws in Our Current Healthcare System

Our healthcare system is designed to cure diseases, not care for people. It's a system that prioritizes technology and treatment over comfort and compassion. We've created a culture of medicine that values productivity and efficiency over empathy and understanding.

This approach has led to a number of flaws in our current healthcare system. We've created a system that is reactive, rather than proactive, waiting for patients to become sick before we intervene. We've prioritized treatment over prevention, and cure over care. And we've forgotten the importance of compassion and empathy in the healing process.

The Power of Design Thinking in Healthcare

Design thinking is a problem-solving approach that prioritizes empathy, creativity, and experimentation. It's an approach that has been used in a variety of fields, from technology to education, to create innovative solutions to complex problems.

In healthcare, design thinking can be used to create a more compassionate and holistic approach to care. By prioritizing empathy and understanding, we can create a system that values the needs and desires of patients, rather than just their diseases. By embracing creativity and experimentation, we can develop new solutions to complex problems, and create a more beautiful and meaningful end-of-life experience.

Prioritizing Beauty, Wonder, and Liberation

As we approach death and dying, it's easy to get caught up in the medicalization of the experience. We focus on treatment options, and hospice care, and forget about the beauty and wonder of life. But what if we approached death and dying with a sense of curiosity and awe? What if we prioritized beauty, wonder, and liberation, rather than just comfort and care?

This approach requires us to rethink our assumptions about death and dying. It requires us to see death not just as an ending, but also as a beginning. It requires us to prioritize the needs and desires of patients, and to create a system that values compassion, empathy, and understanding.

Conclusion

Redesigning death is not just about changing the way we die; it's about changing the way we live. It