All posts by Diane Coleman

Action Alert: Urge the AMA to Reaffirm Opposition to Assisted Suicide

October 24, 2016"death with dignity", aid in dying, AMA, AMA Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs, American Medical Association, assisted suicide, Our News & Commentary Blogaid in dying, American Medical Association, assisted suicide, death with dignityDiane Coleman

[Editor’s Note: Thanks to the Patients Rights Action Fund for the information in this urgent alert!] For decades, the official position of the American Medical Association (AMA) has been to oppose the legalization of assisted suicide (Policy 140.952, Policy 270.965). The AMA will have an interim meeting to discuss its policy on assisted suicide Nov. … Continue reading Action Alert: Urge the AMA to Reaffirm Opposition to Assisted Suicide →

John Kelly: Movies Can Send A Dangerous Message About Suicide and Disability

October 14, 2016better dead than disabled, john kelly, Me Before You, Our News & Commentary Blog, suicide, suicide preventionbetter dead than disabled, John Kelly, Me Before You, suicide preventionDiane Coleman

As we have been covering since spring, here, here, here and here, disability rights advocates around the country, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand held protests against the movie “Me Before You” for its hateful message that some disabled people are better off dead. John shares the same disability as the fictional Will in the movie, … Continue reading John Kelly: Movies Can Send A Dangerous Message About Suicide and Disability →

John Kelly’s Testimony Opposing New Jersey Assisted Suicide Bill A2451

October 6, 2016"death with dignity", aid in dying, assisted suicide, john kelly, new jersey, Our News & Commentary Blog, Testimonyaid in dying, assisted suicide, John Kelly, New Jersey, TestimonyDiane Coleman

[Editor’s Note: John Kelly lived in New Jersey in his younger years and traveled back there to testify on October 6, 2016 in opposition to the latest assisted suicide bill, A2451. His oral testimony is below, and his full written testimony is here.] Chair Burzichelli, Vice Chair Lagana, Members of the Committee: My name is … Continue reading John Kelly’s Testimony Opposing New Jersey Assisted Suicide Bill A2451 →

Oregon State Assisted Suicide Reports Substantiate Critics’ Concerns

October 4, 2016"death with dignity", aid in dying, assisted suicide, dredf, elder abuse, Oregon Assisted Suicide Data, Our News & Commentary Blogaid in dying, assisted suicide, death with dignity, Oregon Assisted Suicide DataDiane Coleman

One of the most frequently repeated claims by proponents of assisted suicide laws is that there is “no evidence or data” to support any claim that these laws are subject to abuse, and that there has not been “a single documented case of abuse or misuse” in the 18 reported years. These claims are demonstrably … Continue reading Oregon State Assisted Suicide Reports Substantiate Critics’ Concerns →

Statement On Mourning the Death of Jerika Bolen

September 23, 2016Our News & Commentary BlogDiane Coleman

Today disability advocates mourn the death of Jerika Bolen, a 14-year-old black, gay teen with spinal muscular atrophy type II (SMA), who died in hospice after requesting help to end her life. Earlier this summer, a call for donations to support her dream of a “last dance” prom in her honor focused national media attention … Continue reading Statement On Mourning the Death of Jerika Bolen →