Dying With Dignity information session announced
Thursday, October 18, 2012 by: SooToday.com Staff
NEWS RELEASE
DYING WITH DIGNITY
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Dying With Dignity is a national, member-based, registered charity.
They are a member of the Right to Die Societies.
Their members come from all walks of life.
They believe that mature, competent Canadians should have the right to make decisions about all aspects of their end of life health care, and that medically assisted dying, with appropriate safeguards, should be legal in Canada.
The Executive Director of Dying With Dignity, Wanda Morris, will be in Sault Ste. Marie Sunday, October 28, 2012 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Public Library Main Branch, Program Room (downstairs).
You are invited to attend this information session to learn more and ask questions.
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dob131 10/18/2012 8:03:27 PM ReportOf Course it should be, but the only thing , people may use this for criminal ideas, like manipulation of the elderly to kill themselves, so thier heirs will get money sooner.. so on and so on. Fake certificates to assisted suicide when the actual person does not want to dye. It is a slippery slope of an idea.
mirrorman 10/18/2012 9:24:32 PM ReportAgree 100% with their cause. I've seen the suffering of people with no hope of recovery; dogs and cats have better options than they do. People should have the right to say that enough is enough and ask for assistance to die. If I ever get to the point where I don't even know that I have crapped in my pants, I pray that my family does me a favour and puts an end to it. Having family suffer through watching a loved one deteriorate to the point of no return doesn't do anybody good. Might as well get the healing process for them happening sooner than later, 'cause it's obviously too late for me.
bruizzed 10/18/2012 10:12:42 PM ReportYou know what everyone..
I think Sault Ste. Marie is great place to live and we do Die in dignity anyway
Let's not spend money on this stuff
simply because we do really die with dignity. Just talk a bit to those nurses who really work hard at our sault and area hospital. The Sault is a great place with familly,friends and associates.I think we do die with dignity. If you really think about it to die with dignity is really up to you
and no one else....just like anything else you try to accomplish...so c'mon people get of death's band wagon.
Unfortunately dying will never be dignified...and unless your in that position....it would be foolish to assume that there is any dignity associated with in any way what so ever.
Informassion sessions are not
needed ...
bruizzed
_kate_ 10/18/2012 10:37:07 PM ReportI have had two very important and dear people in my life pass away as a result of terminal illness. It is a heart wrenching thing to watch, and often the last days of these individuals' lives are painful. If someone would rather end their life peacefully with minimal suffering, I can definitely appreciate that.
However, Dob, you're right- this "dying with dignity" thing is a very slippery slope. I see many, many ways for this system to be abused. Sometimes people make decisions based not on what they personally want, but what they THINK someone else wants... or because they don't want to be a burden to their loved ones. That in itself is tragic.
This is a very tough issue. Not sure how you could definitively sort through the people who simply want to bypass suffering, or a gruesome death from those who are motivated by other reasons. Especially when the stakes are so high and mistakes are so costly. Tricky business.
bruizzed 10/18/2012 10:49:19 PM ReportThis is in response to you...
_kate_ 10/18/2012 10:37:07
thank you
Christina216 10/19/2012 1:53:18 AM ReportIf your consideringthis as an option for your final days...have a will. if you want this option be sure to tell your P.O.A your wishes. it should be your right.
browneyedbeauty22 10/19/2012 10:54:25 AM ReportI have a never ending struggle trying to wrap my mind around the "dying with dignity", "mercy killing" and "pulling the plug". All three are, in essence, the same thing. I am an advocate that should a person living with a terminal illness who do not have the quality of life, should have their own right to end their life, or the allowance for a family member to make that decision for them.
All of us writing these responses have a quality of life. We are able to type these responses, scroll down the page, read and comprehend what has been written. What about those who are dependant on others, and even then, do not have the ability to digest and comprehend such things.
Robert Latimer for example, a gentleman decided to end his daughters life out of love. He did not murder her, he simply decided an alternative that would allow her to no longer struggle and be in constant pain. He was denied parole countless times because he would not apologize for what he had done. Kudos to him. I know that if I was ever in that situation, I would want my loved ones to act on my behalf and provide me with the ability to no longer hurt, physically, mentally and emotionally.
The struggle that I have is based on one question, and one question alone. Why is is socially acceptable for Doctors to approach a family in a hospital setting and so kindly say "they are in a vegetative state ... there is no brain function ... they are living off a breathing apparatus ... they are no able to breath on their own ... I suggest you think about pulling the plug". Why is that statement accepted? That doctors have the power to persuay an already grieving family that they have the right to "pull the plug".
It goes hand in hand. You are not murdering anyone. You are simply making a decision that is right for the person you love - if they do not have the capacity in themselves to make this decision, then it should be legal and without reprimand that a loved one can make this decision.
So, I am all for "Dying with Dignity" - why make anyone suffer when the quality of life is no longer there? And again, what is the difference between a doctor saying "pull the plug" and a family member choosing the same path for a loved one.
This is, and will always be a sensitive subject. When it comes down to it, we base our decisions on morals, values and what is ethically right to ourselves and our families. Sure, dying with dignity, alike any other death, will result in mourning and grief. But, at the end of the day you will know that you loved one is content, happy and no longer suffering.
....but thats just me.
Note: Comments that appear on the site are not the opinion of SooToday.com. Keep discussions civil and on topic. Refrain from obscenity and don't post anything that your grandmother would be ashamed to read. Those who do not abide by these guidelines will have their membership revoked without notice. If you see an abusive post, please click the link beside the post to report it.
