Category Archives: Our News & Commentary Blog

The Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) has long opposed assisted suicide. This section on their website under “What We Believe” explains why: “There are a lot of practices in medicine that discriminate against disabled people. Some hospitals won’t give organ transplants or other life-saving medical treatments to people with disabilities. They don’t see it as … Continue reading Autistic Self Advocacy Network: “Our Lives are Worth Living” →

Anita Cameron: Don’t Be Fooled, Assisted Suicide IS Suicide

September 25, 2023Anita Cameron, assisted suicide, end-of-life care, mental health, Our News & Commentary Blog, suicide preventionAnita Cameron, assisted suicide, suicide preventionDiane Coleman

Suicide is devastating. Take it from someone who has lost dear friends to it. It’s an especially difficult death for families to deal with. Loved ones often feel guilt, wondering was there anything they could have done to prevent it. I, too, felt that horror and guilt after learning that a close friend had died … Continue reading Anita Cameron: Don’t Be Fooled, Assisted Suicide IS Suicide →

Belated Note: Diane Coleman’s Letter Published in Finger Lakes Times

September 21, 2023assisted suicide, diane coleman, health disparities, letters to the editor, nursing homes, Our News & Commentary Blog, racismassisted suicide, Diane Coleman, healthcare disparities, Letter to the EditorDiane Coleman

[From August 28, 2023] Assisted suicide in NY a poor idea To the Editor: It’s ironic that Joel Freedman’s Aug. 14 essay promoting assisted suicide laws opens by noting the need to “strengthen the rights of nursing home residents and other care-dependent people.” People are too often dumped into nursing facilities by hospitals and sometimes, … Continue reading Belated Note: Diane Coleman’s Letter Published in Finger Lakes Times →

Mourning the Passing of Disability Rights Activist Lillibeth Navarro

September 14, 2023ADAPT, assisted suicide, million dollar baby, Our News & Commentary Blog, protestsIn Memoriam, Lillibeth NavarroDiane Coleman

NDY joins disability advocates in California and across the country in mourning the loss of disability rights activist and leader Lillibeth Navarro. The times I shared with Lillibeth are a treasured part of my life history. Remembering how deeply she touched people’s lives, I know that many would say the same thing. Our story together … Continue reading Mourning the Passing of Disability Rights Activist Lillibeth Navarro →

Lisa Blumberg Published in Newsweek: Assisted Suicide Laws Violate the ADA

September 11, 2023aid in dying, Americans with Disabilities Act, assisted suicide, court cases, end-of-life options bills, health disparities, Lisa Blumberg, Newsweek, op-ed, Our News & Commentary Blogassisted suicide, end of life options, Lisa Blumberg, op-edDiane Coleman

Today’s Newsweek features a terrific opinion piece by disability advocate and attorney Lisa Blumberg! Here’s a photo, excerpt and link to the whole article: Assisted Suicide Laws Violate the Americans with Disabilities Act This summer, disability rights advocates sued California over its so-called End of Life Options Act. Under this 2016 law, assisted suicide is … Continue reading Lisa Blumberg Published in Newsweek: Assisted Suicide Laws Violate the ADA →