Category Archives: better dead than disabled

Carrie Ann Lucas Public Radio Interview About Jerika Bolen – A Captioned Video

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[Thanks to John Kelly and Frankie Symonds for creating this video. Carrie is among those who received recognition from New Mobility for trying to save Jerika’s life.] Last July, news broke that Appleton, Wisconsin 14-year-old Jerika Bolen had decided to die because of the extreme pain she was in, pain attributed to her genetic condition, … Continue reading Carrie Ann Lucas Public Radio Interview About Jerika Bolen – A Captioned Video →

John Kelly: Movies Can Send A Dangerous Message About Suicide and Disability

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As we have been covering since spring, here, here, here and here, disability rights advocates around the country, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand held protests against the movie “Me Before You” for its hateful message that some disabled people are better off dead. John shares the same disability as the fictional Will in the movie, … Continue reading John Kelly: Movies Can Send A Dangerous Message About Suicide and Disability →

Face To Face: Challenging the “Better Dead Than Disabled” Message

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Two video projects led by people with disabilities, one in the U.S. and one in Canada, are challenging the mainstream message that it’s better to be dead than disabled. We all know that personal stories are often the most effective forms of communication, and that’s exactly what these projects offer in face-to-face communication. The U.S. … Continue reading Face To Face: Challenging the “Better Dead Than Disabled” Message →

Carol Cleigh Sutton: What is the function of movies like Me Before You?

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[Editor’s Note: This is a guest blog by Carol Cleigh Sutton, an original Board member of NDY when we formed in 1996, and a long time disability activist.] I’ve spent some time thinking about why movies like Me Before You get made. After all, it’s not a bit original. From Whose Life is it, Anyway? … Continue reading Carol Cleigh Sutton: What is the function of movies like Me Before You? →

ASAN Responds to GOP Debate on Vaccines: Not Better Off Dead Than Disabled

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[Editor’s Note:  This awesomely strong and timely Autistic Self Advocacy Network’s response to the GOP debate remarks on autism and vaccines is reprinted with permission.] ASAN Statement on GOP Primary Debate Comments on Autism and Vaccination September 16, 2015 Despite a wealth of scientific evidence debunking any link between autism and vaccinations, tonight’s Republican primary … Continue reading ASAN Responds to GOP Debate on Vaccines: Not Better Off Dead Than Disabled →