The Times Weekly published this opinion letter by Illinois disability advocate Pam Heavens on October 2nd: The Illinois General Assembly is considering a bill that will legalize physician-assisted suicide. I am a 68-year-old Disabled woman and proud member of “Stop Assisted Suicide Illinois Coalition”, which vehemently opposes this bill. This organization includes representatives from diverse […]
Introduction Assisted suicide is often presented as a compassionate choice for those experiencing unbearable suffering. However, as someone who has navigated life’s challenges as a disability rights advocate and someone who was once confined to a nursing home, I see a troubling oversight in this narrative. It fails to consider the systemic barriers that prevent […]
By Lisa Blumberg In a widespread disaster grievously impacting people in general, people who happen to have disabilities tend to be invisible. This may partly stem from the “better dead than disabled” ethos. If a disability is considered to irretrievably diminish the quality and value of your life, why be concerned about other problems could […]
Thanks to those who have contributed funds, ideas, and/or moral support, the Progressives Against Medical Assisted Suicide (PAMAS) film about the social and humanitarian dangers of legalizing medical assisted suicide is on target for completion by the end of the year. On September 16th, four interviews were filmed, each powerful in its own way. We […]
On August 31st, Carol Gill, my long time mentor and friend, passed away. Some, perhaps many readers of this blog may not be familiar with Carol’s work or role in the years leading up to my founding of Not Dead Yet. Below are the thoughts I sent to be shared on this day of her […]
It’s Faustian – giving a nondisabled or slightly disabled person a chance to deny themselves access to food and water if they become significantly disabled and have resulting functional impairments. End of Life Choices New York, a leading supporter of legalized assisted suicide, has developed an “Advance Directive for Receiving Oral Feeding and Fluids in […]
In August 2024, Disability Rights New York filed a legal challenge to Nassau County’s Mask Transparency Act, a new law intended to deter hate crime by making it illegal for groups gathered in public to wear masks to hide their identity. The law allows exceptions for religious and cultural purposes and “to protect the health […]
[Belatedly sharing good news from Inclusion Canada] PRESS RELEASE: Disability Rights Coalition Challenges Discriminatory Sections of Canada’s Assisted Dying Law in Court September 26, 2024, 10:30 a.m. ET TORONTO, ON – A coalition of disability rights organizations and two personally affected individuals have filed a Charter challenge with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. They […]
Award Winning English Actress and International Disability Rights Activist Liz Carr to Appear Washington – Many are familiar seeing Liz Carr in various television and streaming roles (BBC: Silent Witness, Prime Video: Good Omens, Netflix: The Witcher, Marvel’s Loki: Disney +) and the Big Screen (Infinite), but in her documentary “Better Off Dead?” she goes […]
Trisomy 18 is a genetic condition that usually results in physical health problems and cognitive limitations. Life expectancy is currently shorter than typical but people can live into their 20’s and 30’s and one American with trisomy 18, Megan Hayes, celebrated her fortieth birthday with fanfare. Unfortunately, it seems that this information has been slow […]
