Category Archives: million dollar baby

Pam Heavens: Do not support legalizing physician-assisted suicide

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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 →

Mourning the Passing of Disability Rights Activist Lillibeth Navarro

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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 →

Matt Valliere On the Many Harms of Medical Quality of Life Judgments

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On November 2, Newsweek published an excellent op-ed by Matt Valliere, Executive Director of the Patients Rights Action Fund (PRAF), entitled The Brutal, Tragic, Consequences of Quality of Life Judgements. Though PRAF’s mission is focused on opposing assisted suicide laws, the op-ed does an uncommonly good job discussing other discriminatory and harmful medical practices that … Continue reading Matt Valliere On the Many Harms of Medical Quality of Life Judgments →

NDY Release: “Me Before You” Protesters Call For PSA To Prevent Copycat Suicides

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Contacts: Diane Coleman 708-420-0539 John Kelly 617-536-5140 For Immediate Release: “Me Before You” Protesters Call For PSA To Prevent Copycat Suicides Disability rights advocates who protested the film “Me Before You” in cities across the United States are calling on Warner Brothers to add a public service announcement to further releases of the film to … Continue reading NDY Release: “Me Before You” Protesters Call For PSA To Prevent Copycat Suicides →

Carol Cleigh Sutton: What is the function of movies like Me Before You?

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[Editor’s Note: This is a guest blog by Carol Cleigh Sutton, an original Board member of NDY when we formed in 1996, and a long time disability activist.] I’ve spent some time thinking about why movies like Me Before You get made. After all, it’s not a bit original. From Whose Life is it, Anyway? … Continue reading Carol Cleigh Sutton: What is the function of movies like Me Before You? →