Category Archives: hospice

The Atlantic: “Physician-Assisted Suicide Is Not Progressive” by Ira Byock

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Ira Byock is a friend and someone whose work is widely respected.  Unlike many people writing on assisted suicide, Ira has spent decades working intimately with patients and their families, giving aid, comfort and treatment to all affected during the final chapter in that patient’s life. Bio blurb from The Nation:  Ira Byock is director of … Continue reading The Atlantic: “Physician-Assisted Suicide Is Not Progressive” by Ira Byock →

Georgia: Response Letters to op-ed by Final Exit Network (FEN) president Wendell Stephenson

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On January 7, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution published an op-ed by Wendell Stephenson, current president of the Final Exit Network (FEN).  “Ensuring death with dignity” is no longer freely available at the AJC site, but the same essay was published in December last year in the Metrowest Daily News and can still be read here. It’s … Continue reading Georgia: Response Letters to op-ed by Final Exit Network (FEN) president Wendell Stephenson →

George Exoo Resurfaces – Plans for Swiss-like “suicide tourism” at death house in North Carolina?

assisted suicide, documentary, final exit network, george exoo, hospice, media coverage, North Carolina, Our News & Commentary Blog, right to die

Remember George Exoo? Check out the link above for a reminder.  He’s the founder of the “Compassionate Chaplaincy” and claims to have aided in over 100 suicides.  According to the documentary by Jon Ronson, “Reverend Death,” Exoo’s phone number was given out by other so-called “right to die” groups – if the caller was someone … Continue reading George Exoo Resurfaces – Plans for Swiss-like “suicide tourism” at death house in North Carolina? →

Activist and Friend Judi Chamberlin Died This Weekend

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Late last Saturday night (January 16, 2010), Judi Chamberlin died at home, with family at her side.  This was not unexpected.  Judi has been receiving hospice services for over a year as a chronic lung condition worsened to the point where she decided to enroll in hospice services.  She shared her thoughts and experiences as … Continue reading Activist and Friend Judi Chamberlin Died This Weekend →

NY Times Quotes Diane Coleman – but without context

"end of life", advance directives, diane coleman, hospice, media coverage, media issues, Our News & Commentary Blog, palliative care

Today, the New York Times published a long story on hospice and palliative care, and how doctors struggle with balancing the transition from active treatment to palliative care in the final stages of terminal illnesses. Some of it is worked within the context of the current “debate” around advance directives in the health care reform … Continue reading NY Times Quotes Diane Coleman – but without context →