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This is such a critically important issue I urge you to reflect on it seriously & consider a few things.
1. Ableism, racism, classism, sexism. What those mean to access to support, our experience of healthcare & our own self-worth. https://www.cbc.ca/news/opinion/opinion-medical-assistance-in-dying-maid-legislation-1.5790710
1. Ableism, racism, classism, sexism. What those mean to access to support, our experience of healthcare & our own self-worth. https://www.cbc.ca/news/opinion/opinion-medical-assistance-in-dying-maid-legislation-1.5790710
2. The impact the presence of an extremely inexpensive, quick option in the absence of other options - such as financial support, pain specialists, good housing, well trained and sufficient home care - will have on 'choice.'
3. The impact of this cheap option on alleviating pressure for government to fully fund and actually provide community care for those who desire to live but might pick MAID If only choice was that or nursing home.
4. The evidence that disabled women are significantly more likely to be in an abusive relationship than non-disabled women. The evidence that abusive relationships can have on decision-making and self-worth and being subject to undo pressure.
Imagine if there is insurance?
Imagine if there is insurance?
5. Reflect on scenarios that might lead someone to consent where they might not otherwise do so. For example, if someone in an abusive relationship told you that you're such a burden it would be better for your children if you were dead. They would be happier.
6. Listen to disabled people who have acquired disability (as opposed to born with) and believe them that a period of intense grief is normal and also temporary. You protect people from making permanent decisions in that state not enable them.
7. Consider the political environment we exist in always but especially in this moment.
Consider the likelihood of austerity and calls to cut the already insufficient support and healthcare. Another option is just to have less of us. That's a form or eugenics.
Consider the likelihood of austerity and calls to cut the already insufficient support and healthcare. Another option is just to have less of us. That's a form or eugenics.
8. The proponents will point to single study from US that most AS (which isn't administered same way) there are white and wealthy ppl. I don't think that's true here (no study here) but even if it were, think about how many policies for their 'rights' end up harming marginalized.
9. I know why this appeals to privileged people. They like to be in control. And if they aren't actually in control, they want the illusion of it. So they want to plan their deaths the way they want to plan their weddings. I'm poor. I have no illusions about control. But...
10. I do have a strong sense of living in a society and knowing that just because something isn't harmful to me as a white person, it might be used to enact harm on someone else who isn't - for example.
So please think as a citizen when you think about policy.
So please think as a citizen when you think about policy.
11. I also know that many non-disabled people fear becoming disabled more than they fear death. There are reasons for this that have to do with our economic and political system.
It's called ableism and it's not something that should form the basis of you support for a policy.
It's called ableism and it's not something that should form the basis of you support for a policy.
12. I am a survivor of our healthcare system - so far. It's abusive and I was pressured to sign a DNR pre-MAID and just before MAID was brought in I was told I had choice to go to nursing home or go home and wait to die but not ask for or expect help.
This is the context.
This is the context.
13. Reflect on complete inaction and absence of support for disabled people during the pandemic and the crisis of deepened poverty it's caused - AND NOW the govt is fast-tracking a bill for wide open assisted suicide. https://toronto.citynews.ca/video/2020/09/02/fears-odsp-recipients-may-be-turning-to-assisted-dying/
14. Think about the straw ban. No really. Think about how it came out of no where and suddenly there was huge support for it and it was just the most important thing ever to do and how disabled people's objections were irrelevant.
It was a campaign. So is this. Both involve $$
It was a campaign. So is this. Both involve $$
15. The proponents of this have had huge unpaid support for their cause from the media. The romanticized portrayal of lethal injections is stunning. It's also a way to turn your death into a cause. Die a 'hero.'
I know I'm saying uncomfortable things but be a grown-up.
I know I'm saying uncomfortable things but be a grown-up.
Please be willing to question and think critically and go beyond the sad feelings and think about whether there is some manipulation of your feelings going on.
I'm not pulling at your heart strings and frankly I could. But I want you to think your way through this. Please.
I'm not pulling at your heart strings and frankly I could. But I want you to think your way through this. Please.
