It was a beautiful and emotional day at the CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS as volunteers, staff members and families of past patients gathered at Maison Aube-Lumière for the inauguration of the palliative care home’s therapeutic garden. “We have them all to thank up there,” said Aube-Lumière’s volunteer and support services director Sylvie Bergeron, pointing up towards a vibrant blue sky. Bergeron had been rallying for the garden to come to life since 2015. Tuesday marked the achievement of that goal. Bergeron could not hold back tears as she spoke about the project and its process. “Despite setbacks in 2016, we never gave up and we carried out this project until the last possible step. It is a great satisfaction to see this garden improve our patients’ daily lives,” she remarked. The Maison Aube-Lumière therapeutic garden was made possible thanks to a $50,000 contribution from the Aviva Community Fund. Bergeron registered the palliative care home in the 2016 competition, but it did not win. The Aviva Community Fund is decided based on votes made by communities. In 2017, she applied once again, and called out to Eastern Townships citizens to make this dream a reality. See full story in the Wednesday, July 17 edition of The Record.
Maison Aube-Lumière’s therapeutic garden: cultivating precious last moments
By Emilie Hackett, Special to The Record
