All posts by Stephen Drake

Disability Rights Wisconsin Sues Over Allegedly Illegal Withholding of Treatment at UW Hospital

court decisions, devaluation, life-ending decisions, litigation, Our News & Commentary Blog, Surrogate Decisions & Guardianship, Wisconsin

Disability Rights Wisconsin(DRW) is suing the UW Hospital for allegedly violating the law in pushing for withholding of life-sustaining treatment in the cases of two individuals with developmental disabilities. The story about the case was published in the May 14th issue of the Wisconsin State Journal. Thanks to Tim Wheat (the first to send me … Continue reading Disability Rights Wisconsin Sues Over Allegedly Illegal Withholding of Treatment at UW Hospital →

Breaking News: Four Final Exit Network Members Busted on “Conspiracy to Commit Murder” Charges in Arizona

assisted suicide, crime and punishment, final exit network, media coverage, Our News & Commentary Blog

The Phoenix New Times, which was the only newspaper to cover the initial investigation into the death of Jana Van Voorhis, reports that four members of the Final Exit Network have been arrested. Van Voorhis had minor physical complaints, but had a long history of struggles with psychological and emotional issues. From the article: Maricopa … Continue reading Breaking News: Four Final Exit Network Members Busted on “Conspiracy to Commit Murder” Charges in Arizona →

Seattle Elder Law Attorney Discusses What Lawyers Should Be Telling Clients About “Death With Dignity” Act

assisted suicide, elder law, legislation, margaret dore, Our News & Commentary Blog, reality check

Margaret Dore has been doing strong work exposing the pitfalls and logical fallacies that are embedded in the framework of Washington State’s “Death With Dignity” law. She does so from the perspective of a lawyer who specializes in Elder Law. Recently, the King County Bar Association published her analysis of the newly-passed assisted suicide legislation … Continue reading Seattle Elder Law Attorney Discusses What Lawyers Should Be Telling Clients About “Death With Dignity” Act →

Patients’ Rights Bill Stalled in Texas – Bill Backed by Disability Advocates, Right to Life and ACLU

futile care, futility, legislation, life-ending decisions, Our News & Commentary Blog, texas

This blog has visited the topic of futile care policies more than once. These policies allow hospitals to overrule advanced directives and/or the wishes of family members in removing/refusing life-sustaining treatment to someone unable to express his or her wishes. Of all the states, Texas has given hospitals the most power in these situations. And … Continue reading Patients’ Rights Bill Stalled in Texas – Bill Backed by Disability Advocates, Right to Life and ACLU →

More bloggers on Vicious Attacks on Ari Ne’eman

autism, blog recommendations, bloggers, neurodiversity, Our News & Commentary Blog

Yesterday, I wrote about the vicious attack on Ari Ne’eman, president of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), by John Best – Best is a guy that seems to spend whatever free time he has spewing vile comments and barely veiled threats at people who don’t “hate autism” – that includes any supporter of neurodiversity. … Continue reading More bloggers on Vicious Attacks on Ari Ne’eman →