Category Archives: advance directives

Wall Street Journal – NDY’s Coleman & Drake Pen Op-ed on Assisted Suicide, Brain Death and Advance Directives

advance directives, assisted suicide, brain death, media coverage, op-ed, Our News & Commentary Blog, safeguards, Wall Street Journal

Today’s (April 6, 2012) edition of the Wall Street Journal features an op-ed by Diane Coleman and Stephen Drake of Not Dead Yet.  It’s titled ‘Second Thoughts’ Grow on Assisted Suicide.”  You can read the first two paragraphs below.  At this time, full access to the article is available only to subscribers of the paper.  … Continue reading Wall Street Journal – NDY’s Coleman & Drake Pen Op-ed on Assisted Suicide, Brain Death and Advance Directives →

NJ Governor Vetoes POLST Bill, Suggests Revisions

advance directives, legislation, life-ending decisions, life-sustaining treatment, new jersey, Our News & Commentary Blog, policy, POLST

Much of the state level legislative activity concerning POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) has been carried out under the general public’s radar. But when Governor Chris Christie vetoed the New Jersey POLST bill yesterday, it hit the news feed. According to NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM and the Governor’s veto message – While noting the prospective benefits in … Continue reading NJ Governor Vetoes POLST Bill, Suggests Revisions →

Not Getting on the POLST Bandwagon

"end of life", advance directives, life-sustaining treatment, Our News & Commentary Blog, policy, POLST

I just learned that the Illinois legislature passed a bill authorizing Physician Orders on Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) (ILH 3134) which was signed by the Governor last week. We haven’t addressed POLST on the NDY blog yet, but it’s a primary focus of legislative activism on the part of the so-called “end-of-life” coalitions that formed during … Continue reading Not Getting on the POLST Bandwagon →

Smart Ass Cripple (blog): It’s All Over But the Bingo (Satire)

advance directives, blog recommendations, humor, mike ervin, Our News & Commentary Blog, satire, smart ass cripple

The Smart Ass Cripple Blog is written by friend, disability activist, humorist, playwright, and essayist Mike Ervin. (and I might have left a couple items off the list of hats he wears – and most of those hats are garishly colored – several hold one or more beers with straws.) Mike Ervin’s name is probably … Continue reading Smart Ass Cripple (blog): It’s All Over But the Bingo (Satire) →

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 →