Some of the issues that have been recently discussed are in a book that Jim Werth and I coedited:
Lillie, T. H. & Werth, Jr., J. L. (2007). End-of-life issues and persons with disabilities: Austin, TX: ProEd.
The purpose of the book was to follow up on a 2005 special issue of the Journal of Disability Policy Studies on the same topic and to ensure that both "sides" of the debate were addressed.
That does not, of course, by any means suggest that there is not room for more debate.
Tim L.
Timothy Lillie, PhD
Associate Professor, Special Education and Disability Studies
Fellow, Institute for Life Span Development and Gerontology
The University of Akron
322 Zook Hall
Akron OH 44325-4205
330-972-6746
-----Original Message-----
From: The Disability-Research Discussion List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Julia Cameron
Sent: Thursday, December 11, 2008 9:23 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Assisted Suicide
I haven't posted on this list for ages, but this subject gets me going a
bit. I can see the validity of the disability movement's arguments, but I
also share Jeremy's concerns.
Some adults who choose to end their lives can do it themselves without
asistance from anyone else. However, people with some impairments, often
those nearing the end of life or with severe dementia, cannot effect this
choice without the assistance of others. When those people who need
asistance to end their lives (as assistance may be used by disabled people
in many other areas of our lives) are also those whose lives contain little
capacity for pleasure and meaning (because of extreme pain, say, or
dementia), to withhold the possibility of this assistance seems particularly
unjust. Why should some disabled people be denied a choice which
non-disabled (and some other disabled) people can make. We wouldn't
countenance this in any other area of our lives.
Do people think this is an area where there may be some differences between
disabled people who have grown up with their impairment and those who
acquired it as adults? It seems to be those with acquired disability who
may be more likely to feel their quality of life is so reduced by a new or
worsening impairment that they want to die.
This said I am not remotely supporting an increase in suicide! In fact the
opposite - it is desperately sad when anyone feels their life is no longer
worth living. A more supportive and inclusive society would surely increase
meaning and connection for everyone, enabling us all to keep enjoying and
valuing our lives, and reducing the numbers of people both disabled and
non-disabled who feel they cannot bear any more.
Julia
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bryant, Helen" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, December 11, 2008 11:34 AM
Subject: Assisted Suicide
Dawna wrote:
"That documentary really opened my eyes to the heavy influence the medical
community has on people with disabilities. Doctors are the ones that decide
whether someone is in a non-responsive or vegetative state, to make the
decision that someone will never live a "normal life"
About 2000 years ago (give or take a millennium), a chap called Juvenal
wrote:
"Sed quis custodiet ipsos custodes?"
which, for those of us without Latin (including me) means
"...but who will guard the guards?"
I think that says it all...
Helen
www. everyclick.com - every click <http://www.everyclick.com/> helps. I
search <http://www.everyclick.com/> the web and raise money for charity
with Everyclick.
Helen Fiona Bryant
Access Officer Reading Borough Council
Policy & Sustainability
Level 7
Civic Centre
READING RG1 7AE
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