Category Archives: Lisa Blumberg

Does Not Go Far Enough: Thaddeus Pope Gives Delaware Assisted Suicide Law a Middling Grade

ableism, abuse, access to health care, Delaware, eugenics, Lisa Blumberg, Our News & Commentary Blog, unethical ethicists

By Lisa Blumberg Lisa Blumberg   The traditional strategy of groups promoting assisted suicide for initially passing a law legalizing the practice is by touting a few minimal requirements as inviolable safeguards. Assisted suicide, they assert, will be a rarely used option for a small, well-vetted cohort of people who are dying, suffering and with … Continue reading Does Not Go Far Enough: Thaddeus Pope Gives Delaware Assisted Suicide Law a Middling Grade →

When Disaster Strikes Everyone, the Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies Is There for Us

ableism, better dead than disabled, emergency management, Katrina, Lisa Blumberg, Our News & Commentary Blog, Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies, , ,

By Lisa Blumberg In a widespread disaster grievously impacting people in general, people who happen to have disabilities tend to be invisible. This may partly stem from the “better dead than disabled” ethos. If a disability is considered to irretrievably diminish the quality and value of your life, why be concerned about other problems could … Continue reading When Disaster Strikes Everyone, the Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies Is There for Us →

Lisa Blumberg: Denying Access to Food and Water Based on Disability Status

advance directives, better dead than disabled, brain injury, death by starvation and dehydration, dementia, Lisa Blumberg, Our News & Commentary Blog, thaddeus pope, VSED, , , ,

It’s Faustian – giving a nondisabled or slightly disabled person a chance to deny themselves access to food and water if they become significantly disabled and have resulting functional impairments. End of Life Choices New York, a leading supporter of legalized assisted suicide, has developed an “Advance Directive for Receiving Oral Feeding and Fluids in … Continue reading Lisa Blumberg: Denying Access to Food and Water Based on Disability Status →

Lisa Blumberg: A Classic Case of Lethal Denial of Medical Treatment Based On Disability

ableism, access to health care, death by starvation and dehydration, developmental disabilities, DNR, futility, life-sustaining treatment, Lisa Blumberg, medical neglect, Our News & Commentary Blog, , , , ,

Trisomy 18 is a genetic condition that usually results in physical health problems and cognitive limitations. Life expectancy is currently shorter than typical but people can live into their 20’s and 30’s and one American with trisomy 18, Megan Hayes, celebrated her fortieth birthday with fanfare. Unfortunately, it seems that this information has been slow … Continue reading Lisa Blumberg: A Classic Case of Lethal Denial of Medical Treatment Based On Disability →

Assisted Suicide Laws Based On the Oregon Model Sweep In Disabled People

"death with dignity", aid in dying, Anorexia Nervosa, assisted suicide, barbara coombs lee, better dead than disabled, Compassion & Choices, health disparities, Lisa Blumberg, Our News & Commentary Blog, Vincenzo Piscopo, , , , ,

By Lisa Blumberg, JD In 2014, in connection with whether assisted suicide laws would ever be expanded to include people with cognitive  decline, Barbara Coombs Lee, then director of Compassion & Choices, said, “It is an issue for another day but is no less compelling.” This was a momentary slip. The political strategy of Compassion … Continue reading Assisted Suicide Laws Based On the Oregon Model Sweep In Disabled People →