Category Archives: reality check

Ms. Magazine Blogger Praises Kevorkian, Disses People With Disabilities, and Angers Some Feminists With Disabilities

blog recommendations, bloggers, culture wars, feminism, Kevorkian, media coverage, Ms Magazine, Our News & Commentary Blog, reality check

(Note – I’m still trying to process the briefs in the Pennsylvania Hockenberry case.  No word on the oral arguments yet.  I’m hoping for some reports and/or press coverage by tomorrow.) Last week, I was alerted about a blog entry on the HBO biopic You Don’t Know Jack that was published on the site of … Continue reading Ms. Magazine Blogger Praises Kevorkian, Disses People With Disabilities, and Angers Some Feminists With Disabilities →

Texas: Murder of Disabled Spouse Yields Probation for Wife

crime and punishment, murder, Our News & Commentary Blog, reality check, texas

Texas has a reputation for doling out pretty harsh treatment when it comes to murder.  Apparently – in Austin, anyway – exceptions will be made if the victim is devalued enough.  Last Friday, Katherine “Kim” Yarbrough received ten years of probation in a plea bargain.  Yarbrough had admitted to killing her husband, Lloyd Yarbrough.  Nevertheless, … Continue reading Texas: Murder of Disabled Spouse Yields Probation for Wife →

HBO Is Making Sure We Don’t Know Jack About Jack Kevorkian

assisted suicide, Homicide / 'Mercy Killing', Kevorkian, media coverage, media issues, Our News & Commentary Blog, reality check

Caveat: I haven’t seen the HBO “docudrama” You Don’t Know Jack yet, but the many reviews I’ve read, along with the info on the HBO site devoted to the film, are painting a pretty clear picture – namely, that people who watch this movie probably won’t know Jack Kevorkian at all.  I grew increasingly suspicious … Continue reading HBO Is Making Sure We Don’t Know Jack About Jack Kevorkian →

Connecticut: Affidavit of Nancy B. Alisberg in Motion to Intervene in Assisted Suicide Suit

advocacy, Connecticut, devaluation, discrimination, life-ending decisions, litigation, medical decisionmaking, Our News & Commentary Blog, protection and advocacy, reality check, Surrogate Decisions & Guardianship

As promised in yesterday’s blog posting, today I’m sharing the affidavit submitted by Nancy B. Alisberg, Managing Attorney at the Connecticut Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities (OPA) in the OPA’s motion to intervene in Blick v. Division of Criminal Justice.  Alisberg’s affidavit goes into detail about some of the actions she … Continue reading Connecticut: Affidavit of Nancy B. Alisberg in Motion to Intervene in Assisted Suicide Suit →

Connecticut: Affidavit of James D. McGaughey in Motion to Intervene in Assisted Suicide Suit

advocacy, Connecticut, devaluation, discrimination, life-ending decisions, litigation, medical decisionmaking, Our News & Commentary Blog, protection and advocacy, reality check

Last week, this blog shared the news that the Connecticut Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities (OPA) has filed a motion to intervene in the Connecticut assisted suicide case, Blick v. Division of Criminal Justice.  The motion included several affidavits submitted with the motion to intervene.  Today and tomorrow, I’ll share the … Continue reading Connecticut: Affidavit of James D. McGaughey in Motion to Intervene in Assisted Suicide Suit →