…On March 6, George Hodgins was reportedly murdered by his mother in Sunnyvale, California. Elizabeth Hodgins killed herself after fatally shooting her son. The Santa Cruz Sentinel referred to Ms. Hodgins as “a devoted and loving mother.” The Mercury News coverage appeared focused on the stress Hodgins’ mother underwent as a parent of an autistic child. “Some articles asked readers to put themselves in the shoes of the murderer,” said Zoe Gross, a…
…(50%) and “feelings of being a burden” (40%). (Death With Dignity Act Annual Reports) These are disability issues. We Don’t Need To Die to Have Dignity In a society that prizes physical ability and stigmatizes impairments, it’s no surprise that previously able-bodied people may tend to equate disability with loss of dignity. This reflects the prevalent but insulting societal judgment that people who deal with incontinence and other losses in bodi…
…to Improve Patient Care’s Rapid Response Workgroup challenging the use of QALYs (Quality Adjusted Life Years) in health insurance coverage decisions. NDY supported Mass. H.201/S.753, An Act Advancing Health Care Research and Decision-Making Centered on Patients and People with Disabilities to ban QALYs, as well as advocated for a federal ban. Court Cases: NDY and MA affiliate Second Thoughts opposed the Massachusetts Kligler court action seeking a…
…N THE FACE! During National Suicide Prevention Month, The Suicide Fundamentalists at Final Exit Network are hosting the first international gathering of over 50 assisted suicide and euthanasia organizations held in the U.S. since the year 2000. They call themselves the “World Federation of Right To Die Societies.” But it’s really about the Right to Be Killed and the Duty to Die. Final Exit Network is not really about the “right to die”, it’s about…
…well as negative impacts on individuals and families in the midst of critical health care decisions, the responsible thing to do is add a public service announcement to online and home entertainment release of the film that clearly states the movie does not condone assisted suicide, along with contact info for the suicide prevention hotline. The PSA that we recommend is Live On. Disabled Lives Are Worth Living. Please respond to this letter no lat…
