NDY Articles and Letters Published in NJ Press Kick Butt

July 3, 2014assisted suicide, john kelly, new jersey, op-ed, Our News & Commentary Blogassisted suicide, Diane Coleman, John Kelly, New JerseyDiane Coleman

…Dignity,” in comes “Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill”) or for a changed-then-changed-back-again definition of “terminal illness,” the bill is too dangerous. (It’s well worth a full read.) As a result of tremendous work done by the broad coalition of groups in the New Jersey Alliance Against Doctor Prescribed Suicide, the sponsor stated that he was two votes short of the number needed for passage, so he withdrew the bill and no vote was taken….

It’s (Long Past) Time for the U.S. To Ratify the United Nations Disability Treaty

July 28, 2014CRPD - Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities, disability rights, national council on independent living, Our News & Commentary Blog, united nationsCRPD, Disability TreatyDiane Coleman

…ersons with disabilities are more likely to experience abuse than their non-disabled peers. This reality has a direct bearing on Not Dead Yet’s goals of ensuring that the civil rights of disabled people are protected from inappropriate surrogate decisions to withhold life-sustaining treatment, and of ensuring the equal protection of the law when disabled people are the victims of violence and even homicide. Finally, CRPD Article 25 addresses “Heal…

My Favorite Robin Williams Movie – Awakenings – The One That Always Makes Me Cry

August 13, 2014Awakenings, movies, Oliver Sacks, Our News & Commentary Blog, Robin WilliamsAwakenings, Oliver Sacks, Robin WilliamsStephen Drake

…nally like no other celebrity. Like many people, I’m a fan of his wild, off-the-wall humor that just seemed to pour out non-stop, but I’ll be darned if I can quote a single line of his comedy. Last night, I read that Williams gave a Reddit interview recently and that his favorite role in a movie was playing Dr. Sayers in Awakenings. Last night, I found myself really longing to see the movie for the umptieth time, and Diane watched it – again – wit…

Archdiocese of Boston Newspaper Features Interview with ‘Second Thoughts’ Director John Kelly

September 2, 2012assisted suicide, disability activists, disability rights, disability rights advocates, john kelly, Massachusetts, media coverage, Our News & Commentary Blog, reality check, Second ThoughtsStephen Drake

…rimination through architectural barriers and unemployment while lacking in-home services to enable them to integrate into communities”; “where some people think it might be better to be dead than disabled”; and “where abuse and financial exploitation of elders and people with disabilities is at unacceptably high levels.” John Kelly, director, said the idea of providing “dignity” through death holds dangerous implications for society, and particul…

Not Dead Yet CEO Addresses International Advance Care Planning and “End of Life” Conference Thursday, May 31 in Chicago

June 1, 2012Our News & Commentary BlogStephen Drake

…are providers, emphasizing that, “As we continuously aim to provide an ever-increasing high standard of care to our patients, we recognise the need to research, examine, develop and learn with each other. At ACPEL 2012, we will therefore hear from a wide range of international speakers who will provide us with the latest developments and practices in advance care planning, end of life care, and its associated disciplines.” Coleman’s remarks will d…