Category Archives: starvation

“End of Life Washington” Promotes Directive to Prevent Feeding Assistance to Those with Dementia

(The following continues coverage and discussion of an initiative regarding efforts to let dementia patients “refuse” assistance to eat. We discussed this in November 2017. You can check out that blog post here.) Journalist Mike Bassett has a new online article out in Today’s Geriatric Medicine. It involves the latest initiative from “End of Life … Continue reading “End of Life Washington” Promotes Directive to Prevent Feeding Assistance to Those with Dementia

Guest Blog by Cathy Ludlum: Better Dead Than Fed? NOT!

We in the disability community have a stronger appreciation than most people of the opportunities technology can bring.  Power wheelchairs and vans offer us mobility.  Voice-activated software and screen readers unleash the power of computers.  Environmental control systems allow us to manage things around the house, like opening doors and answering the phone. But some … Continue reading Guest Blog by Cathy Ludlum: Better Dead Than Fed? NOT!

The Death of Christina Symanski – John Kelly and Bill Peace on Media, Perspective, Wrong Questions and Ignored Issues

John Kelly is the Director of the recently-formed Second Thoughts, a Massachusetts-based group of disability rights advocates opposing the legalization of assisted suicide. The essay below refers mainly to an article on Christina Symanski that appeared in the Huffington Post, originally in the sites “Weird News” section.  Symanski was a young woman who starved and … Continue reading The Death of Christina Symanski – John Kelly and Bill Peace on Media, Perspective, Wrong Questions and Ignored Issues