I am honored to speak to you today on behalf of DAWN Center for Independent Living opposing this legislation concerning physician – assisted suicide as a means of “death with dignity.” Although I am here representing DAWNcil I am also speaking personally. DAWN is committed to ensuring that people with disabilities residing in the three counties that we serve, Morris, Sussex and Warren have the right to choose how they live. As an individual with a disability I have many concerns with this proposed legislation. I am opposed to the passing of this legislation because it personally affects me. This legislation will place more crucial decisions on healthcare providers, insurance companies, and caregivers; leaving individuals with disabilities even more vulnerable. In my experience individuals with disabilities may feel afraid to speak out against those that are charged with their care. What I do professionally is help these individuals see through anything negative of disability to the positives of possibility. Society has come so far with the Americans with Disabilities Act and I feel that legislation like this is going backwards. The fear is real that doctors will take advantage of this and continue misdiagnosing and not adhering to respect for every person as a full human being, avoiding a deadly potion.
Despite the challenges we may face every single day of our lives such as obtaining Durable Medical Equipment, dealing with health insurance premiums and fighting for our basic human rights people with disabilities continue to prove that we are contributing members of society. If this legislation is passed there is a much larger concern. This legislation ignores many larger issues with our complex system and will in fact continue decreasing the responsibilities and quality of care giving by doctors, insurance companies, and community resources. I am one of many individuals that despite our disabilities have lived and thrived. I was misdiagnosed in 2002 with a secondary illness related to my disability. My doctors had me lying in my bed for two weeks thinking I had the flu. This was my first major illness and I didn’t have the experience to know how fast an illness can become serious. I became so ill that I would have fit into this legislations definition of eligibility. If the doctors didn’t work diligently to find what worked for me and I didn’t have the ability to speak up for myself, if this law was in place I would not be here telling you that despite the hardships and difficulties I have accomplished so much.
Putting our life’s value in the hands of others who may care for us but don’t understand the complexities of our lives can end it? I don’t think so. I have succeeded in many more ways than the average person. I have accomplished a lot in my life so far. I am a ballroom dancer, surfer, sled hockey player, advocate, adjunct college professor for intro to social work; I am a licensed social worker with a Master’s Degree working at a Center for Independent Living. I help others to know their rights, fight for themselves and not to accept that physicians assisted suicide is the only option. Physician assisted suicide doesn’t allow the uninformed, caretakers, to see the positive side of reaching out for peer support, resources, advocacy, and learning independent living skills to thrive.
Let’s not forget that when a law’s language allows the room for immoral human behavior to take advantage and lead to complete disregard of life; such as Professor Singer from Princeton University. At times physician assisted suicide can be a humane end to suffering, however in many individual situations the law could backfire when human behavior dictates an uninformed choice.