A free opportunity to find answers to those difficult questions – the ones about death and taxes – will be provided from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sat. Oct. 28 at Tutu Park Mall at the first "Legacy for Life Health Fair."
The Fair is sponsored by the Young Lawyers Division of the V.I. Bar Association and Rotary of St. Thomas in celebration of National health Decision Week, a public service project initiated by the American Bar Association.
The Fair is designed to raise public awareness about end-of-life health care and planning, said Sandra Adams, chair of the YLD. "Only a small minority of people make plans, and, more importantly, let family members know of their wishes," Adams said. These topics are very difficult to discuss, she said, but they are extremely important. "By letting family members know in advance what kinds of care we want, we can avoid a lot of the stress and indecision we face when those close to us become critically ill," Adams said.
She stressed, "Our goal is to get people talking and thinking about these issues, and then do something about them."
Attorney Aquanette Chinnery will discuss the probate process, and Amos Carty, legal counsel for the Roy L. Schneider Hospital, will lead a panel discussion on legislation affecting health care decisions, including organ donation, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Doctors Alfred Heath and James Nelson will discuss the aging process and healthy lifestyles. Eva Sarraga from Lifelink of Puerto Rico will also discuss organ donation.
Exercise classes and free massages will be available, as well as information on Social Security and Medicare. Diabetes and dietary information will be offered by the V.I. Department of Health, and the UVI Nursing Department.
For more information, contact Gabriel Villegas, co-chair of the YLD, at (340) 774-1320, or Maxine Bowry, executive director of the V.I. Bar Association at (340) 778-7497.