Not Dead Yet logo that links to the homepage of the website.

Category: Second Thoughts

Announcement: In Memoriam: John Bryan Kelly (February 26, 1958 – November 14, 2025)

  Our incomparable disability rights champion, beloved colleague and friend. It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of NDY’s singularly dear colleague and incomparable disability rights champion, John Bryan Kelly, who passed away peacefully in Boston, this past Friday, November 14, 2025, at the age of 67.  In spite of battling an […]

Ellen Leigh: Activists within the disability rights community have justifiable fears

Second Thoughts Massachusetts member Ellen Leigh’s excellent letter appeared in the Boston Globe today: Jeff Jacoby’s column “For assistance in dying, please press 1” warns against the legalization of assisted suicide, especially highlighting its significant risks. As a disabled person, I share these concerns deeply. Activists within the disability rights community fear that legalized assisted […]

Boston Globe: “For assistance in dying, please press 1”

Liz Carr’s documentary, “Better Off Dead?”, continues making a difference, serving as a wake up call about the dangers assisted suicide laws pose for people with disabilities. A Boston Globe columnist noted this week: The most chilling detail in “Better Off Dead?” a new BBC documentary by the English actress and comedian Liz Carr, is […]

Second Thoughts MA protest gains important news coverage

Second Thoughts Massachusetts led a peaceful counter demonstration at a gathering of assisted suicide proponents held at the Massachusetts State House on Wednesday, June 5th. In addition to those featured in the photo above, others who participated included Ian McIntosh and Jessica Rodgers of the Patients Rights Action Fund, Harry Weissman, Director of Advocacy for […]

Mary Makuc Letter: I feel the threat of ableism amid assisted suicide debate

Excellent letter in the Berkshire Eagle by Mary Makuc, member of Second Thoughts Massachusetts! To the editor: For people with severe disabilities like me, assisted suicide is not just theoretical but a real social justice issue. If law allowing for assisted suicide is passed in Massachusetts, many people could feel pressured to die. Because of […]

Press Release: Disability Rights Advocates Cheer High Court Constitutional Ruling Against Assisted Suicide

Disability Rights Advocates Cheer High Court Constitutional Ruling Against Assisted Suicide CONTACTS:  John Kelly at mailto:SecondThoughtsKelly@Gmail.com  617-952-3302 Jules Good (mailto:JGood@NotDeadYet.org) Boston, MA – Tuesday, December 20, 2022 Disability rights advocates from Second Thoughts MA and Not Dead Yet are cheering Monday’s decision by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC), which ruled against plaintiff doctors Roger Kligler and […]

Media Advisory: Disability Rights Advocates Gather at SJC to Defend Disabled Lives

***MEDIA ADVISORY*** Disability Rights Advocates Gather at SJC to Defend Disabled Lives Boston, MA – Thursday, October 13 at 12 PM, Second Thoughts MA: Disability Rights Advocates Against Assisted Suicide and Not Dead Yet will gather outside the Supreme Judicial Court at the John Adams Courthouse to remind the SJC and the public that the issue of […]

Mourning the Loss of Paul Spooner, ED of MetroWest CIL

Disability advocates around the country are mourning the loss and remembering the leadership of Paul Spooner who died unexpectedly Saturday. In Not Dead Yet’s early years in the late 1990s, Paul was President of the National Council on Independent Living and helped ensure that our message against the “better dead than disabled” mindset was heard […]

Muster Our Voices and Social Media To Oppose Assisted Suicide In Massachusetts!

Protect Disabled Lives in Massachusetts: Oppose S.1384/ H.2381, which would legalize assisted suicide & risk the lives of disabled people. Use this FORM to send the message to the MA Joint Committee on Health Care Financing that these bills must not pass! Social Media Templates and Post Ideas HASHTAGS Use these hashtags on your posts […]

Add Your Voice: Action Guide On Opposing Assisted Suicide In Massachusetts

Action Guide: Opposing Assisted Suicide in MA Thanks for taking action against legalizing assisted suicide in MA! Please use the following template to send an email to legislators on the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing by following the three easy steps below: 1. Decide who to send your letter to. You can send it […]