Category Archives: Illinois

The Tragedy of Eileen Mihich: A Woman with Mental Illness Abandoned by the System into the Waiting Jaws of Assisted Suicide.

"death with dignity", "end of life", ableism, abuse, access to health care, better dead than disabled, bias, bigotry, Illinois, New York, Our News & Commentary Blog, Washington state, , , , , ,

Eileen Mihich deserved better. Aging With Dignity has put out a powerful, short film that further dispels the disingenuous claims by ableist proponents of assisted suicide laws that there has never been a single instance in which safeguards have failed. To the assisted suicide proponent question: Where is the evidence of abuse, coercion and error? … Continue reading The Tragedy of Eileen Mihich: A Woman with Mental Illness Abandoned by the System into the Waiting Jaws of Assisted Suicide. →

ILLINOIS STEALTH ASSISTED SUICIDE BILL DRESSED AS FOOD PREPARATION BILL PASSES BY ONE VOTE

"death with dignity", "end of life", ableism, Access Living, access to health care, action alert, advocacy, Americans with Disabilities Act, assisted suicide, duty to die, elder abuse, eugenics, Illinois, Not Dead Yet, Our News & Commentary Blog, Patients Rights Action Fund

The Illinois State Senate, just passed an assisted suicide bill, dressed as a food preparation bill, to make it easier for disabled people to die, not to live. In this worst possible national moment, Illinois proponents decided in the interest of vulnerable Illinoisans that now was the time to sneak an assisted suicide bill amendment … Continue reading ILLINOIS STEALTH ASSISTED SUICIDE BILL DRESSED AS FOOD PREPARATION BILL PASSES BY ONE VOTE →

Pam Heavens: Do not support legalizing physician-assisted suicide

assisted suicide, better dead than disabled, health disparities, Illinois, letters to the editor, million dollar baby, Our News & Commentary Blog, , , ,

The Times Weekly published this opinion letter by Illinois disability advocate Pam Heavens on October 2nd: The Illinois General Assembly is considering a bill that will legalize physician-assisted suicide. I am a 68-year-old Disabled woman and proud member of “Stop Assisted Suicide Illinois Coalition”, which vehemently opposes this bill. This organization includes representatives from diverse … Continue reading Pam Heavens: Do not support legalizing physician-assisted suicide →

Stop Assisted Suicide Illinois Is a “Sassy!” Coalition Doing Great Advocacy

Access Living, aid in dying, assisted suicide, end-of-life options bills, Illinois, op-ed, Our News & Commentary Blog, , ,

It’s more than a name – Stop Assisted Suicide Illinois! Here are two recent SASI efforts with disability leaders in the forefront opposing the state’s assisted suicide bill. First, a press conference lead off by Access Living’s Amber Smock: And a powerful op-ed in the Chicago Sun Times by the former executive director of a … Continue reading Stop Assisted Suicide Illinois Is a “Sassy!” Coalition Doing Great Advocacy →

Anita Cameron: How Many More Have To Die In Nursing Facilities In the Age of COVID-19?

ADAPT, Anita Cameron, center for disability rights, COVID-19, Illinois, long term care, nursing homes, Our News & Commentary Blog, , ,

COVID-19 continues to rage through America, but not many of us outside the media and disability rights and justice groups are talking about an overlooked population – residents of nursing facilities and institutions for disabled people, who are dying of COVID-19. To date, more than 51,000 residents and employees of nursing homes and long-term care … Continue reading Anita Cameron: How Many More Have To Die In Nursing Facilities In the Age of COVID-19? →