Dorothy Livadas Case Complex – and Hospital’s Misuse of Language Doesn’t Help

August 27, 2008"end of life", advance directives, life-ending decisions, Our News & Commentary Blog, reality check, Surrogate Decisions & GuardianshipStephen Drake

…id, this case should be a little more straightforward – and both the local newspaper and the ABC affiliate have done a commendable job in trying to provide straight coverage on this case. Just a few nagging things… Has Strong Memorial Hospital ever gone to court to remove someone as a guardian when they were acting in a way that would remove life-saving measures even if it appeared to go against the individual’s written preferences? Were some doct…

Disability Panelists Explain Opposition to Euthanasia/Assisted Suicide at Washington State University Event

April 24, 2008activism, advocacy, assisted suicide, media coverage, Our News & Commentary Blog, Washington stateStephen Drake

…and president of the national organization.) According to a press account today, they turned at least one person’s attitudes around: Chris Wesen was a proponent for physician-assisted suicide. The 19-year-old Washington State University student believed terminally ill people should have a say about when and how they die. His stance on the matter changed after he attended a discussion on the subject by a panel of disability experts Wednesday at Wa…

National Healthcare Decisions Day: Count Me Out

April 16, 2008"end of life", advance directives, advocacy, bioethics, Our News & Commentary BlogStephen Drake

…e current effort. We do think it’s best to make sure you pick someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf should you need that while in the hands of the medical system. We just don’t want to sign onto this flawed effort and product. And while it’s true that we can’t complain of total exclusion right now, we’re a long way away from inclusion. A couple of token efforts don’t come near to making up for the years and years of excluding disabili…

Pope Benedict’s Personal Experience with Euthanasia

April 15, 2008euthanasia, Our News & Commentary Blog, religionStephen Drake

…e in awhile to share something from the realm of religion. The good reason today is that Pope Benedict XVI is visiting the United States this week. It’s not clear if he’ll be talking much about euthanasia while he’s here. He has other stated priorities, including mending bridges over multiple sex abuse scandals here in the U.S. and giving an address at the United Nations. A couple of pro-life sites mentioned something about the Pope I hadn’t heard…

Diane Coleman’s Letter Published In Daily Star

May 14, 2018"death with dignity", aid in dying, assisted suicide, letters to the editor, Our News & Commentary Blogaid in dying, assisted suicide, Letter to the EditorDiane Coleman

…to the editor from Diane Coleman responding to the editorial was published today: The Daily Star’s opinion piece in support of legalizing assisted suicide [May 4, Aid-in-dying bill should get state approval] left out a major group when it mentioned the bill’s opponents, including religious opponents and physicians, but omitting disability organizations. Among the groups testifying against assisted suicide bills at the recent Assembly Health Commit…