Dialogue Begins About Feeding Tubes and Breathing Devices With Respecting Choices Program

April 1, 2014Our News & Commentary BlogDiane Coleman

Last December, a significant number of national and local disability rights organizations as well as individuals with disabilities and supporters signed onto a letter addressed to the Respecting Choices advance care planning program at Gundersen Health Systems in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. The letter criticized two documents for inaccuracy and bias in their discussions of feeding tubes, bipaps and ventilators. The documents were first discovered by Sec…

ADAPT Wins Meeting with Leadership Conference on Civil Rights to Address Disconnect Between Disability Rights and Broader Civil Rights Movement

May 6, 2014ADAPT, Our News & Commentary BlogADAPTDiane Coleman

…Leadership Conference work with us to initiate a process to bring ADAPT’s leaders together with other civil rights organizations to find a way to address this critical problem. This was the third of four days of directed action by ADAPT in Washington DC. ***30***…

Would You Rather Die Than Go To A Nursing Facility? Time For the Community Integration Act!

July 1, 2014ADAPT, Community Integration Act, long term care, nursing homes, Our News & Commentary BlogADAPT, Community Integration ActDiane Coleman

…als suggest that a nursing facility is the only alternative to being “independent”. (The notion seems to be to ask, “If you had to go to a nursing facility, wouldn’t you rather have an advance directive that declines life-sustaining treatment?”) It’s very disturbing that they don’t seem to have heard about Olmstead and home and community based services. Why don’t they ask, “If you could get long term services and supports (LTSS) to stay in your ow…

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

…progressive legislators in New Jersey, so on June 25th John posted what is called a “diary” in bluejersey.com called “Assisted Suicide Is Not Progressive”. John made several key points, such as: Supporters of A2270 say that it is all about “autonomy,” but in reality the bill would limit choice, because it incentivizes insurers to restrict, or even deny, coverage. In today’s cost-cutting environment, where health-care options are limited, many peop…

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

…NDY’s closest allies. Here’s the information I received (excerpts): PLEASE Call your Senators! And join us at a Rally for the CRPD to let the Senate know we want this brought up for a floor vote NOW! When: July 29th, 12:15 pm Where: 3rd Street NW between Pennsylvania Ave NW and Maryland Ave SW If you’re not located in DC, you can take part by visiting your Senators’ in-state offices and expressing your support for the CRPD! You can also watch the…