…in scanning equipment and found that his level of brain activity was identical to that of a person who had no brain damage. Professionals on the team have worked with Houben to develop a way to communicate. This has become a somewhat sensationalized and “inspirational” story. And it’s already receiving blowback. The most prominent of the critics to surface is bioethicist Art Caplan, who says he isn’t buying it. He has three major concerns that I c…
…he neck down. Here are some of the comments from Gold and Coleman: Statistically, spinal-cord patients are more likely to be young and male — hurt in sports, auto accidents or other trauma. Unlike older patients, who may come to be disabled more gradually, they are suddenly forced to imagine a life with grave limitations. And, most likely, they’ve internalized stereotypes and negative attitudes about disability, said Diane Coleman, president of th…
…k, CA. 91522 Dear Mr. Tsujihara: We, the undersigned national, state and local disability organizations are writing to express our urgent concerns about the negative impact of the plotline and treatment of the assisted suicide of a lead character with quadriplegia in the film “Me Before You.” Regardless of the intent of the writer, director and producers, the film’s message is that no amount of wealth, family support, romantic love or ability to c…
…bank, CA. 91522 Dear Mr. Tsujihara: We, the undersigned national, state, local and regional disability organizations representing tens of thousands of people with disabilities, are writing to express our urgent concerns about the negative impact of the plotline and treatment of the assisted suicide of a lead character with quadriplegia in the film Me Before You, and request that a public service announcement accompany any and all future distributi…
…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 help prevent copycat suicides. In a letter sent today to Kevin Tsujihara, CEO of Warner Brothers, 19 national and 25 state, local…
