After an extensive career working as a nurse, MarieJo has developed a passion for palliative care. By having an opportunity to work closer with the dying, MarieJo has been forced to look inwards and truly question if she knows herself. She discusses three lessons that have given her a unique perspective on why your words matter and how sometimes there is no tomorrow. Understanding why these aspects are important come from a willingness to ask the question “how am I living?”

Born in Kingston, Jamaica, MarieJo moved to Kingston, Ontario when she was 6. She graduated from Queen’s University in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. She attained her Masters of Health Science degree while living in New Zealand.

MarieJo has worked across the spectrum of nursing from Community to Acute Care, from bedside to education based positions. While she has enjoyed almost every opportunity she has experienced, she considers Palliative Care her ‘home’. She believes it is a privilege to care for the dying, but more importantly, she has become a better person because of it.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx