Category Archives: Our News & Commentary Blog

Diane Coleman and John Kelly Letters to the Hartford-Courant

January 17, 2013assisted suicide, Connecticut, diane coleman, john kelly, letters to the editor, Not Dead Yet, Our News & Commentary Blog, Second ThoughtsStephen Drake

There’s talk of legislative action on an assisted suicide bill in Connecticut, and it’s being discussed in the newspapers. Both John Kelly, Director of Second Thoughts, and Diane Coleman, President, CEO and founder of Not Dead Yet submitted letters that were published recently in the Hartford Courant: Disability Activists Oppose Assisted Suicide Bill Diane Coleman, … Continue reading Diane Coleman and John Kelly Letters to the Hartford-Courant →

More on Double Euthanasia in Belgium, National Federation of the Blind Reacts, and Other Suicides in the News

January 15, 2013Aaron Swartz, Belgium, deaf-blind, devaluation, euthanasia, National Federation of the Blind, Oskar the Blind Cat, Our News & Commentary Blog, pets, reality check, suicideStephen Drake

The 24+ hours since I posted on the double euthanasia of two deaf men in Belgium has resulted in some developments, varied reactions, and some reflection on my own part. My apologies if this post seems a little scattered – a little like mental multi-colored pasta thrown against the wall – but sometimes that’s how … Continue reading More on Double Euthanasia in Belgium, National Federation of the Blind Reacts, and Other Suicides in the News →

Belgium: “Double Euthanasia” of Deaf Twins Losing Vision and Reactions from a Deaf-Blind Blogger

January 14, 2013Belgium, bioethics, deaf-blind, euthanasia, Our News & Commentary BlogStephen Drake

Over the weekend, news came out of Belgium of a grim and bizarre new “twist” in that Country’s euthanasia practice. According to reports, two 45-year-old twins were killed by lethal injection per their request (AKA “euthanized”). They were both deaf and it’s said they were both gradually losing their vision. From ABC News: Two deaf … Continue reading Belgium: “Double Euthanasia” of Deaf Twins Losing Vision and Reactions from a Deaf-Blind Blogger →

Canada: Toujours Vivant-Not Dead Yet established in Canada to organize against legalization of assisted suicide, euthanasia and associated threats

January 10, 2013Amy Hasbrouck, assisted suicide, Canada, Council of Canadians with Disabilities, disability activists, disability rights, euthanasia, Our News & Commentary Blog, Toujours Vivant-Not Dead YetStephen Drake

As of a few months ago, Canada now has a disability rights group dedicated to fighting legalization of assisted suicide, euthanasia and associated threats to the lives and safety of people with disabilities. Here’s a description of the group and their mission from the “about” section of the TV-NDY website: About TV-NDY Who we are … Continue reading Canada: Toujours Vivant-Not Dead Yet established in Canada to organize against legalization of assisted suicide, euthanasia and associated threats →

A “Must-Read” From Ezekiel Emanuel on Better “End of Life” Care

January 7, 2013"end of life", bioethics, hospice, media, Our News & Commentary Blog, palliative careStephen Drake

Right-Wing politics often leave me at a loss for words. The attacks aimed at Ezekiel Emanuel before and after the passage of what is commonly called “Obamacare” is one of the most bizarre examples. At the time, Emanuel was Special Advisor for Health Policy to Peter Orszag, acting director of OMB. Emanuel struck me as … Continue reading A “Must-Read” From Ezekiel Emanuel on Better “End of Life” Care →