All posts by Stephen Drake

UK: Disabled Man Wants Promise that Wife Won’t be Prosecuted for Outright Killing Him

Homicide / 'Mercy Killing', litigation, locked-in syndrome, murder, Our News & Commentary Blog, United Kingdom

Well, last week’s “inspirational crip story” in the UK was about Richard Rudd, who was saved from being disconnected from life-sustaining treatment by being able to blink on request and to communicate his wish to live – contrary to his advance directive and prior statements to family. I guess that a story built on the … Continue reading UK: Disabled Man Wants Promise that Wife Won’t be Prosecuted for Outright Killing Him →

NJ: “Suicide Prevention Expert” Judith Springer Says Final Exit Network OK as Long as it Just Helps “Elderly Folks”

ageism, final exit network, judith springer, media coverage, media issues, new jersey, Our News & Commentary Blog, reality check, society for the prevention of teen suicide, suicide, suicide prevention

The Final Exit Network (FEN) has a billboard up in New Jersey now.  It has received a fair amount of coverage – and all of it has been superficial and inaccurate.  Not one article has mentioned the criminal charges FEN members face in Georgia and New Jersey, let alone the fact that two FEN members … Continue reading NJ: “Suicide Prevention Expert” Judith Springer Says Final Exit Network OK as Long as it Just Helps “Elderly Folks” →

Richard Rudd – Saved by a Blink

advance directives, consciousness, life-ending decisions, media coverage, medical decisionmaking, Our News & Commentary Blog, vegetative state

This past week, news sources in Europe and the US have been telling the story of  Richard Rudd, who was left with spinal cord injuries and in an apparent coma after a motorcycle accident.  As medical staff and family prepared to disconnect Mr. Rudd’s ventilator, a final examination by one of his physicians held open … Continue reading Richard Rudd – Saved by a Blink →

Three recommended reads: Bill Peace on “Ashley and Me,” L Syd M Johnson critque of Jacob Appel on PVS and April Michelle Herndon on the “Magic Pill” Question

Ashley X, bioethics, blog recommendations, cure, glbt, Hastings Center, Our News & Commentary Blog, pvs, william peace

I’m extremely ambivalent about the Hastings Center.  The interactions I have had with this bioethics entity have been both cordial – and very limited.  Periodically, the Center seems to take an interest in hearing something from disability advocates and activists, but after they’ve engaged in a small token effort, move on and appear to be … Continue reading Three recommended reads: Bill Peace on “Ashley and Me,” L Syd M Johnson critque of Jacob Appel on PVS and April Michelle Herndon on the “Magic Pill” Question →

Associated Press Misreports German “Right to Die” Court Decision – and Issues Very Belated Correction

assisted suicide, Associated Press, Germany, media coverage, media issues, Our News & Commentary Blog, reality check, right to die, Wesley Smith

On June 25th, the Associated Press distributed a story about a “right to die” court decision in Germany.  It ran under the headline of  “Germany: Assisted suicide OK if patient consents.”  The content of the headline alone should have rung some alarm bells, since the headline implies something was done to “the patient” who gave … Continue reading Associated Press Misreports German “Right to Die” Court Decision – and Issues Very Belated Correction →