Category Archives: disability

Jensen Caraballo: The Misguided Compassion of Assisted Suicide in Disability

ableism, access to health care, assisted suicide, disability, health disparities, long term services and supports, medical discrimination, Our News & Commentary Blog, quality of life judgments, , ,

Introduction Assisted suicide is often presented as a compassionate choice for those experiencing unbearable suffering. However, as someone who has navigated life’s challenges as a disability rights advocate and someone who was once confined to a nursing home, I see a troubling oversight in this narrative. It fails to consider the systemic barriers that prevent … Continue reading Jensen Caraballo: The Misguided Compassion of Assisted Suicide in Disability →

Must Read: Disability rights opponents of assisted suicide are not a “vocal minority”

ableism, aid in dying, assisted suicide, disability, MAID, Our News & Commentary Blog, , , ,

By Meghan Schrader* Over and over again assisted suicide proponents claim that disabled people who oppose assisted suicide are a “vocal minority.” For instance, American euthanasia advocate Thaddeus Mason Pope ridiculously wrote on X that “millions” of disabled people want the right to have “MAiD.” Well, it’s not true. Assisted suicide, even in its more … Continue reading Must Read: Disability rights opponents of assisted suicide are not a “vocal minority” →

Stephen Mendelsohn: CT Suicide Prevention Plan 2020 Includes Concerns About Disability & Assisted Suicide

assisted suicide, bill peace, Connecticut, disability, guest blog, Hastings Center, Our News & Commentary Blog, Second Thoughts Connecticut, suicide prevention, ,

[Editor’s Note:  This Guest Blog is from Stephen Mendelsohn, one of the leaders of Second Thoughts Connecticut.] This is likely a first from the mainstream suicide prevention community:  The Connecticut Suicide Advisory Board (CTSAB) recognizes that legalizing assisted suicide encourages people with disabilities to commit suicide.  Here’s the relevant excerpt from the State of Connecticut Suicide … Continue reading Stephen Mendelsohn: CT Suicide Prevention Plan 2020 Includes Concerns About Disability & Assisted Suicide →

Canada: Toujours Vivant-Not Dead Yet to Highlight Between Euthanasia and Discrimination at May 18 Anti-Euthanasia March in Quebec

Amy Hasbrouck, assisted suicide, disabilities, disability, disability activists, discrimination, euthanasia, Our News & Commentary Blog, protests, Quebec, Toujours Vivant-Not Dead Yet

From the press release: MONTREAL, May 16, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ – Toujours Vivant-Not Dead Yet will join Québécers who oppose euthanasia on Saturday, May 18, 2013 at noon on the Plains of Abraham. TVNDY is a progressive, non-religious project to unite and give voice to the disability opposition to euthanasia, assisted suicide, and other discriminatory … Continue reading Canada: Toujours Vivant-Not Dead Yet to Highlight Between Euthanasia and Discrimination at May 18 Anti-Euthanasia March in Quebec →

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

autism, better dead than disabled, bigotry, disability, disability activists, disability rights, op-ed, Our News & Commentary Blog

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” →