Category Archives: Our News & Commentary Blog

A recent (I don’t think it’s quite the latest) issue of the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) features a “case vignette” of a terminally ill man who requests an assisted suicide prescription from his doctor. Here’s part of that vignette: John Wallace is a 72-year-old man with metastatic pancreatic cancer. At time of diagnosis, … Continue reading New England Journal of Medicine – Pro and Con Assisted Suicide Essays and a Poll →

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: “They want us to die: You wouldn’t believe how many people hate those of us with autism”

April 8, 2013autism, better dead than disabled, bigotry, disability, disability activists, disability rights, op-ed, Our News & Commentary BlogStephen Drake

This op-ed was published in the Sunday, April 7 edition of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. It’s written by Selene dePackh, who is an artist and writer. She’s also autistic. dePakh’s op-ed describes the reality that many of us are all too aware of, but sharing it with a broad audience. For whatever reason, the online comments … Continue reading Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: “They want us to die: You wouldn’t believe how many people hate those of us with autism” →

Disability and Representation blog: “Amanda Baggs, The Pressure To Die, and the Case Against Assisted Suicide” by Rachel Cohen-Rottenberg

April 7, 2013Amanda Baggs, autism, autistic activists, better dead than disabled, blog recommendations, bloggers, Disability and Representation, medical bigotry, medical discrimination, Our News & Commentary Blog, Rachel Cohen-Rottenberg, vermontStephen Drake

For about a week now, activists and advocates have been engaging in the fight to safeguard the health and safety of Amanda Baggs, one woman dealing with medical ignorance, apparent bigotry, and regular messages that her life isn’t one worth saving. Even now, a positive outcome isn’t assured. (I direct blog readers to just peruse … Continue reading Disability and Representation blog: “Amanda Baggs, The Pressure To Die, and the Case Against Assisted Suicide” by Rachel Cohen-Rottenberg →

Updates on Amanda Baggs – Surgery is on for Today!

April 2, 2013Amanda Baggs, autistic activists, disability, disability activists, disability rights advocates, discrimination, medical bigotry, medical discrimination, Our News & Commentary Blog, vermontStephen Drake

Before I start with the specifics, here’s the short version – due to the overwhelming response of disability activists and allies, things changed for the better in terms of communication and setting an agenda for surgery – placement of a feeding tube that will hopefully prevent the frequent bouts Amanda Baggs has had with aspiration … Continue reading Updates on Amanda Baggs – Surgery is on for Today! →