Florida

Struggling to manage your care? You’re not alone.

July 23, 2025 No Comments

Living in sunny Naples, Florida, Janina Birtolo had a rewarding life and career as a writer, journalist, and actor. But in her 60s, she was diagnosed with advanced emphysema—a progressive…

Katherine Vaccaro

November 19, 2024 No Comments

Katherine shared her story in November of 2024. Daniel is one of those people who is gruff on the outside but actually a kind and highly sensitive person, and that…

Victor Silva

September 3, 2024 No Comments

Victor shared his story in August of 2024. For a long time, I didn’t want my parents to talk about dying. I thought, “Wait, if we talk about it, it’s…

Lisa Bradley

August 29, 2024 No Comments

Lisa shared her story in August of 2024. My mom was the one we would call if something was wrong and we needed advice or if something was wonderful and…

Florida Bill History

February 28, 2024 No Comments

Florida Bill History 2025On February 7, 2025, HB 471 was introduced by Rep. Joe Casello to authorize medical aid in dying in the Sunshine State. On March 10, a companion…

Florida Bill Summary

February 28, 2024 No Comments

Florida Bill Summary Florida’s End of Life Options Act HB 561 and SB 1642 The Legislation Allows:A terminally ill, mentally capable adult with a prognosis of six months or less…

February 27, 2024 No Comments

Ashley Johnson

January 23, 2024 No Comments

Ashley Johnson shared her story in December of 2023. My journey into the world of end-of-life care, particularly as a death doula, is deeply rooted in my personal experiences and…

Janina and Gary Birtolo seated in a restaurant surrounded by three granddaughters.

Janina Birtolo

June 13, 2023 No Comments

Janina shared her story in May of 2023. The thing about emphysema is it’s a progressive disease, and there is no cure. That reality took some getting used to, but…

Compassion & Choices Blog