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Terminally ill Woman Fighting for Others’ Rights to End Their Own Lives
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The following is my opinion as a member participating in this discussion.
This 29 year old terminally ill newlywed woman has decided that November 1st will be the day she ends her suffering. She has a terminal brain cancer that, if she were to let it go to the end, would have her suffering a slow and very painful death. She and her husband moved to Oregon where physician assisted suicide is legal. Brittany Maynard has decided that she wants a death with dignity for herself and for others suffering as she is. She's been working with a foundation to help bring 'death with dignity' to others.
Terminally ill woman fighting for others’ rights to end their own lives
When doctors told Brittany Maynard that her days were numbered due to a progressive brain tumor, the 29-year-old decided to take charge of her life, MyFox8.com reported. Maynard has chosen November 1 as the day she will die.
After her wedding last year, Maynard began having severe headaches. In January, doctors diagnosed her with grade II Astrocytoma— a severe brain tumor— while she was vacationing with her husband. Doctors initially gave her 10 years to live, according to the report...
Maynard’s tumor ended up progressing to glioblastoma multiforme, the deadliest form of cancer with an average life expectancy of 14 months. Doctors told Maynard her death would likely be slow and painful. But the newlywed decided to choose her own ending.
I've said it many times here at ATS ... I fully support physician assisted suicide. Any adult on the planet should be able to end their own life in a dignified and pain free way. Terminal illness ... chronic illness ... whatever their reason. It's their life and they should be able to decide how it ends. We treat pets and their end life issues in a humane way. The least we should do is treat humans in a similar manner. If people want to hang on through the death rattle without assistance, fine. But if people want a pain free end, they should have that option. The fact that physician assisted suicide is outlawed over much of the planet is a crime .. in my opinion.
As an ATS Staff Member, I will not moderate in threads such as this where I have participated as a member.
I've been saying this since Kevorkian was in the news (and I was like in 7th grade or something too). If someone is greatly suffering with a terminal
illness, it is beyond stupid to make them continue living just because society thinks that suicide is wrong (thanks Christianity...).
Yeah, being from MI, this has been a big issue for me since Dr. K was made public.
Good for her. This should be a non issue.
The whole issue of "This is my body" should cover male or female, from head to heel.
NOBODY should have any say over anyone else's body, unless they have expressed written permission.
And the government NEVER should.
JMO
Good for her. This should be a non issue.
The whole issue of "This is my body" should cover male or female, from head to heel.
NOBODY should have any say over anyone else's body, unless they have expressed written permission.
And the government NEVER should.
JMO
People should have the right to end their own lives. It's really as simple as that. Your religious beliefs shouldn't take priority over my right not
to live any longer.
a reply to: Dark Ghost
Religion really has nothing to do with "moral" issues. Why should I allowed to commit suicide if for my own selfish reasons. You care not about the people who love you who will continue to fight for you life even AFTER you have lost the will to live. What about my sons or sisters and brothers. Is it ok to take my life and fill them with sorrow just because I wanted ?? This is a very touchy subject I think.
Religion really has nothing to do with "moral" issues. Why should I allowed to commit suicide if for my own selfish reasons. You care not about the people who love you who will continue to fight for you life even AFTER you have lost the will to live. What about my sons or sisters and brothers. Is it ok to take my life and fill them with sorrow just because I wanted ?? This is a very touchy subject I think.
a reply to: MGaddafi
I'm no big fan of suicide, for as you say, selfish reasons, but I support this woman in this case and do believe in death with dignity.
She knows she is terminal and has discussed her decision with her family, who obviously don't like it...but they at least accept it. I don't think she is committing suicide, but rather choosing the time of her own death, which is very imminent and painful.
Suicides rarely discuss when they are going to commit their action though. They just do it and if the family is lucky, they'll leave a note.
I lost a ton of respect for Robin Williams when he took his life.
I'm no big fan of suicide, for as you say, selfish reasons, but I support this woman in this case and do believe in death with dignity.
She knows she is terminal and has discussed her decision with her family, who obviously don't like it...but they at least accept it. I don't think she is committing suicide, but rather choosing the time of her own death, which is very imminent and painful.
Suicides rarely discuss when they are going to commit their action though. They just do it and if the family is lucky, they'll leave a note.
I lost a ton of respect for Robin Williams when he took his life.
Having seen first hand how devastating cancer can be I think people should have the right to say enough is eniugh. As soon as animals have something
terminal we are told it is kinder to put them out of their misery so why we cant be this humane when it comes to us I just dont understand,
My dad died 4 years ago of cancer of the stomach. We were told in September hechad terminal cancer and God bless him he fought to the bitter end. He went from 14 stone to 5 stone. Two weeks before he died after not esting for weeks and barely drinking he haf had enough. He would have accepted help at that point Im sure and it would have meant his family could have been with him. Insteas after months of my sister and I nursing him hewent into hospice last week of life and died in middle of night alone. I was heartbroken I wasnt there and for 2 years was haunted by the image of him with tears running down his face looking like he had stepped out of a concentration camp and having the humiliation of dirtying himself and me and my sister cleaning him up. He was a proud gentle giant my dad and cancer took that away from him and his family
My dad died 4 years ago of cancer of the stomach. We were told in September hechad terminal cancer and God bless him he fought to the bitter end. He went from 14 stone to 5 stone. Two weeks before he died after not esting for weeks and barely drinking he haf had enough. He would have accepted help at that point Im sure and it would have meant his family could have been with him. Insteas after months of my sister and I nursing him hewent into hospice last week of life and died in middle of night alone. I was heartbroken I wasnt there and for 2 years was haunted by the image of him with tears running down his face looking like he had stepped out of a concentration camp and having the humiliation of dirtying himself and me and my sister cleaning him up. He was a proud gentle giant my dad and cancer took that away from him and his family
i agree wholeheartedly that assisted suicide should be legal. like others have said. it's that persons personal choice whether or not they want to
stop living. but, our society is so fear driven that we have exactly the opposite scenario in play.
suicide is illegal almost everywhere. and i think that is the way the powers that be prefer it. they don't want people to have the right or the power to end their own lives. in a way that takes power away from them. the preference right now is to indefinitely "treat" people for their problems. that is where the money is. where's the money in suicide?
people should have the option of leaving on their own terms and there should be nothing wrong with that.
though what would the rules and limitations be if it were legal?
can a 15 year old kid kill himself if he wants? do you have to be over 18? over 21?
is there a waiting period to make sure people don't change there mind?
hmmmmmmmm
suicide is illegal almost everywhere. and i think that is the way the powers that be prefer it. they don't want people to have the right or the power to end their own lives. in a way that takes power away from them. the preference right now is to indefinitely "treat" people for their problems. that is where the money is. where's the money in suicide?
people should have the option of leaving on their own terms and there should be nothing wrong with that.
though what would the rules and limitations be if it were legal?
can a 15 year old kid kill himself if he wants? do you have to be over 18? over 21?
is there a waiting period to make sure people don't change there mind?
hmmmmmmmm
The following is my opinion as a member participating in this discussion.
originally posted by: MGaddafi
Why should I allowed to commit suicide if for my own selfish reasons. You care not about the people who love you who will continue to fight for you life even AFTER you have lost the will to live.
- The woman is terminally ill ... there is no 'fight for your life'.
- The real selfish people are those who would force a terminally ill woman to stay in her disease and pain ridden body instead of supporting her desire to end her life with dignity and with minimal pain.
- Why should she be 'ALLOWED" to commit suicide?? It's her body. Why should YOU be allowed to interfere with what she decides to do with her own dying body?
As an ATS Staff Member, I will not moderate in threads such as this where I have participated as a member.
originally posted by: MGaddafi
Religion really has nothing to do with "moral" issues. Why should I allowed to commit suicide if for my own selfish reasons. You care not about the people who love you who will continue to fight for you life even AFTER you have lost the will to live. What about my sons or sisters and brothers. Is it ok to take my life and fill them with sorrow just because I wanted ?? This is a very touchy subject I think.
A strong argument can be made for the reserve as well: isn't keeping somebody alive to die a slow painful death because you are can't bare the thought of them leaving this world and being at peace, rather selfish too?
My father died of the same type of tumor she had and I can attest to the fact it is a terrible way to have one's life end. I support her choice and my
thoughts are with her and her family.
edit on 8-10-2014 by AugustusMasonicus because: (no reason given)
a reply to: TDawgRex
I think suicide should only be allowed in this manner if one is going to die any way, painfully. But for some kid to wanna kill themself over a girl or a game or drugs is what would happen if this is allowed.
People will offing themselves left and right from minor things and this will spiral out of control as this will scar the concept of life if one is allowed to take it for minor things or no reason at just becuase they had a right to.
I think suicide should only be allowed in this manner if one is going to die any way, painfully. But for some kid to wanna kill themself over a girl or a game or drugs is what would happen if this is allowed.
People will offing themselves left and right from minor things and this will spiral out of control as this will scar the concept of life if one is allowed to take it for minor things or no reason at just becuase they had a right to.
originally posted by: MGaddafi
. Why should I allowed to commit suicide if for my own selfish reasons..
the reasons shouldnt matter..
adult human beings should be able to end their life for any reason they wish...its their life, their body.
life is hard. some people can not handle what life throws at them. suicide should be an option for everyone.
a reply to: MGaddafi
Your friends and family don't own your body. Death is between you and your god. Yes it sucks for the ones you leave behind and can be a bit selfish to do to them, but that doesn't mean it should be illegal to kill yourself to spare them the grief. How can you speak for someone's suffering if you've never walked a mile in their shoes?
Also, in any case, this woman was told that she has literally the most lethal form of cancer. She will die and it WILL be painful. Why is it selfish of her to have to suffer through that torment so that her family can see her for a few extra months dying slowly and painfully in a bed?
One more thing, if a guilt trip is the only way you can get someone to not kill themselves, then you are doing it wrong. A person tormented or in such physical pain that they don't want to live anymore doesn't need to be straddled with MORE pain (of the emotional variety) just because you don't want them to die.
Your friends and family don't own your body. Death is between you and your god. Yes it sucks for the ones you leave behind and can be a bit selfish to do to them, but that doesn't mean it should be illegal to kill yourself to spare them the grief. How can you speak for someone's suffering if you've never walked a mile in their shoes?
Also, in any case, this woman was told that she has literally the most lethal form of cancer. She will die and it WILL be painful. Why is it selfish of her to have to suffer through that torment so that her family can see her for a few extra months dying slowly and painfully in a bed?
One more thing, if a guilt trip is the only way you can get someone to not kill themselves, then you are doing it wrong. A person tormented or in such physical pain that they don't want to live anymore doesn't need to be straddled with MORE pain (of the emotional variety) just because you don't want them to die.
a reply to: MGaddafi
This woman is campaigning for a "Death with Dignity" law across the US. She is not advocating suicide.
I don't agree with suicide and think that it is a cowards way out. This woman however has talked things over with her family, doctor, etc. She is terminal and knows it.
If I knew I had a brain tumor or some other debilitating illness that would leave me in pain for months, possibly mentally incoherent, I think I would take this route myself. But only after informing every one I cared about.
And if still healthy enough to go one one last adventure...off I'd go.
This woman is campaigning for a "Death with Dignity" law across the US. She is not advocating suicide.
I don't agree with suicide and think that it is a cowards way out. This woman however has talked things over with her family, doctor, etc. She is terminal and knows it.
If I knew I had a brain tumor or some other debilitating illness that would leave me in pain for months, possibly mentally incoherent, I think I would take this route myself. But only after informing every one I cared about.
And if still healthy enough to go one one last adventure...off I'd go.
a reply to: CardiffGiant
I agree but its only right for the ones who cant physicaly take life. Pain or terminal so be it but this will open a whole new door to the deppresed who want to take thier own life due to small minor reasons. (Not saying deppresion is minor)
People will say its their right to kill themself due to everyday life event. This thefore will ruin the sanctity of life as we know it.
I agree but its only right for the ones who cant physicaly take life. Pain or terminal so be it but this will open a whole new door to the deppresed who want to take thier own life due to small minor reasons. (Not saying deppresion is minor)
People will say its their right to kill themself due to everyday life event. This thefore will ruin the sanctity of life as we know it.
originally posted by: MGaddafi
a reply to: CardiffGiant
I agree but its only right for the ones who cant physicaly take life. Pain or terminal so be it but this will open a whole new door to the deppresed who want to take thier own life due to small minor reasons. (Not saying deppresion is minor)
People will say its their right to kill themself due to everyday life event. This thefore will ruin the sanctity of life as we know it.
the sanctity of life(if thats even a thing) was ruined a long time ago.
what gives you or anyone else the right to decide what physical/mental pain one can take without cracking?
nobody should have that right over another person...
if someone feels they just cant take it they should be able to end it....
en.wikipedia.org...
The phrase sanctity of life refers to the idea that human life is sacred and holy, argued mainly by the pro-life side in political and moral debates over such controversial issues as abortion, contraception, euthanasia, embryonic stem-cell research, and the "right to die" in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and other English-speaking countries...
if someone wants to end it they should be able to.....sometimes people just dont want to live anymore...if they feel that way then why should they be forced to?
edit*
kevorkian was the man
edit on 8-10-2014 by CardiffGiant because: (no reason given)
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