Marie Trottier\u2019s job is to ensure that people with disabilities at Harvard are being served. But in her spare time she\u2019s also working to serve others.<\/p>\n
A 21-year veteran as the University\u2019s disability coordinator, Trottier certifies that accessibility requirements are met for Harvard\u2019s students, staff, faculty, and visitors. From events planning to wheelchair convenience to learning-disability services, Trottier\u2019s hands touch many aspects of campus life, but her own agenda extends beyond the University\u2019s ivied gates.<\/p>\n
Trottier is trying to establish a regional Hospice House, a unique facility that incorporates hospice services in a hospital environment. She was drawn to the concept two years ago when her husband, Allan Macurdy, became ill. Contacting a hospice \u2014 an end-of-life service that focuses on comfort, family, and palliative care \u2014 was the next step, but Macurdy still required hospitalization and, surprisingly, there was no nearby facility that incorporated the two forms of care.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo I did what any good Harvardian does,\u201d Trottier recalled, \u201cwhich was to try to find a connection at Harvard to help.\u201d<\/p>\n
After a long night of research, Trottier e-mailed JoAnne Nowak<\/a>, an instructor at Harvard Medical School<\/a> and medical director of the Partners Hospice and Palliative Care program in Boston.<\/p>\n Nowak offered to take a look at Macurdy\u2019s case, which resulted in negotiations between hospice and Macurdy\u2019s hospital, where he went on to receive hospice care for the last months of his life.<\/p>\n \u201cPart of what was so amazing was that hospice was there for me,\u201d Trottier said. \u201cNot only was there a team of people for Allan, but I had my own team. I had my own social worker, bereavement counselors \u2026 and, after fighting so hard and after going through the worst grief of my life, it was comforting to know that I could pick up the phone or send an e-mail, and Hospice would respond.\u201d<\/p>\n Since her husband\u2019s death in June, Trottier has teamed up with Nowak to establish a Boston-based Hospice House. They\u2019ve begun fundraising, meeting with interested parties, and spreading the word.<\/p>\n \u201cHospice responded to me in such a way that I didn\u2019t want to lose that connection,\u201d said Trottier. \u201cI was like, \u2018What can I do in Allan\u2019s honor, in Allan\u2019s memory, to help give back?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n In between her work at Harvard and her efforts for a Hospice House, Trottier finds time for a creative release: She\u2019s also an actor.<\/p>\n A member of the Screen Actors Guild, Trottier has appeared in music videos, films, and commercials. After a hiatus, she has resurrected her performing life, and says she is more in demand than ever. Trottier has achondroplasia, the most common cause of dwarfism. And at 4 feet, \u201cThere\u2019s minimal competition for a woman of short stature,\u201d Trottier said. \u201cThere are some opportunities that will only come my way.\u201d<\/p>\n But after her heart-rending loss, Trottier is more focused on utilizing her time creatively and positively, determined to give back to the community in the form of a Hospice House.<\/p>\n \u201cFor people who can die at home, that\u2019s wonderful. But Allan couldn\u2019t, and there will be another Allan someday,\u201d Trottier said. \u201cAnd I want to use my experience, and Allan\u2019s story, because that\u2019s what he\u2019d want me to do.\u201d<\/p>\n