I apologize (again) for the unannounced hiatus here. Last week, I was doing my part to do press work, and get the word out in various fora (with the exception of this one obviously) about the national ADAPT Action in Washington, DC.
NDY allies within the disability community are well aware of our involvement and concern with broader disability rights issues, but it often comes as a surprise to people outside of the community. These are the people who know that NDY has been prominent in the struggle against legalization of assisted suicide and euthanasia, but really don’t have any real knowledge about disability rights issues in general.
Last week, hundreds of disability rights activists were in Washington, DC to demand passage of the Community Choice Act (CCA). In a nutshell, this is a bill designed to improve the quality of the lives of millions of people with disabilities by giving them easier access to support in their own homes rather than being forced into institutions and nursing homes.
A full multimedia account of last week’s actions can be located at the ADAPT Action Report.
Once in awhile it’s necessary to remind people that we’re just one part of a larger disability rights movement that has been working hard to improve the lives of people with disabilities of all ages.
People like Bob Levine, for example. He’s a board member of that “special” group of “special” individuals that make up the Final Exit Network (FEN). Among the comments I received was this one from him:
Not dead yet is very good at criticizing anyone trying to help those whose life is so miserable that they not longer want to live but NDY has NOTHING TO OFFER in its place.
Instead of another long harangue it would be good to see something constructive but I’m afraid that is not possible with them. To bad
To Mr. Levine and all the other “special” people at the FEN – I am unaware of anything you have to offer people except a cult-like certainty in your own infallibility, the know-how to operate a helium tank, and the ability to hold a person’s hands down to make sure they don’t pull their “exit bag” off. –Stephen Drake
PS – I will post and (if possible) reply to other comments that came in tomorrow.