All posts by Stephen Drake

NDY Board Member Mike Volkman Writes About Assisted Suicide and “Dignity” in Albany Times Union

November 29, 2017assisted suicide, Mike Volkman, New York State, op-ed, Our News & Commentary Blogassisted suicide, dignity, Mike Volkman, op-edStephen Drake

Mike Volkman is a long-time member of Not Dead Yet’s Board of Directors. Mike joined Not Dead Yet at its inception in 1996. He had been on the staff of the Capital District Center for Independence in Albany, New York, and later was on the Board of Directors. He has written op-ed columns for his local … Continue reading NDY Board Member Mike Volkman Writes About Assisted Suicide and “Dignity” in Albany Times Union →

WA, USA: Assisted Suicide Advocates Push Documents for People with Dementia to “Refuse” Spoon-Feeding

November 4, 2017advance directives, assisted suicide, Our News & Commentary Blog, spoon-feeding, Washington stateadvance directives, assisted suicide, dementia, spoon-feeding, Washington stateStephen Drake

Below is an article published on Friday, 11/3/17 by Kaiser Health News. The original article can be found at https://khn.org/news/new-instructions-could-let-dementia-patients-refuse-spoon-feeding/ and is republished here, according to the guidelines of Kaiser Health News. A “right to die” organization based in Washington state is pushing a new advanced directive that would allow people with dementia to refuse to be … Continue reading WA, USA: Assisted Suicide Advocates Push Documents for People with Dementia to “Refuse” Spoon-Feeding →

Four Years After His Death, Disabled 8-Year-Old’s Death in Organ Donation is Under Investigation

June 15, 2017brain death, brain injury, dcd, donation after cardiac death, medical discrimination, medical killings, organ donation, Our News & Commentary Blogbioethics, donation after cardiac death, medical discrimination, medical killing, organ transplantStephen Drake

The LA Times is reporting that the death of a disabled 8-year-old boy in 2013 is currently under investigation by Los Angeles police and the DA office. Back in 2013, Cole Hartman’s father found his son with his head submerged in their washing machine. Cole went into cardiac arrest, but paramedics were able to resuscitate him. … Continue reading Four Years After His Death, Disabled 8-Year-Old’s Death in Organ Donation is Under Investigation →

Australia: Liz Carr Singing and Talking Against Assisted Suicide

March 31, 2017assisted suicide, Australia, Disability and Representation, euthanasia, Liz Carr, media coverage, Our News & Commentary Blogassisted suicide, Australia, disability rights, euthanasia, Liz Carr, mediaStephen Drake

Anyone who reads this blog or follows the international euthanasia/assisted debate should be familiar with Liz Carr – whose website describes her as an actor, comedian, presenter, and activist. The list is too short – she’s also a documentary film maker and a playwright. She’s in Australia right now, with her musical “Assisted Suicide – … Continue reading Australia: Liz Carr Singing and Talking Against Assisted Suicide →

New Mobility Highlights “2016 People of the Year: The Resisters”

January 2, 2017disability activists, Jerika Bolen, media coverage, New Mobility, Our News & Commentary Blogbetter dead than disabled, disability activists, Jerika Bolen, Julianna Snow, Me Before You, media, New MobilityStephen Drake

Few in the disability community would argue about 2016 being a hard year – assaults on the Americans with Disabilities Act, assaults on our access to education, assaults on safety nets many of us rely on – and of course – assaults on our right to dignified lives in the form of policies and rhetoric … Continue reading New Mobility Highlights “2016 People of the Year: The Resisters” →