Though known commonly as assisted suicide, Brittany stated in an interview that "When people use the word suicide, it’s highly inflammatory and just incorrect because I am already dying from cancer. And people who commit suicide are typically people who want to die, and are killing themselves... I don't want to die. But I am dying. Death with dignity is the phrase I'm comfortable using. I am choosing to go in a way that is with less suffering and less pain."
Death with dignity, despite being a highly controversial topic for many years, allows for those with terminal illnesses to live their life to the fullest, pain-free. It gives them a sense of control over something that can seem uncontrollable. It gives peace of mind in knowing that all of the horrible things that come with terminal illness "are not mandatory." Especially in Brittany's case, where a cure in no where in sight, there is really no point in undergoing gruesome treatments that will only delay, and worsen, her inevitable passing. Currently, this practice is only legal in five states, but Brittany is fighting for a change. Fighting for death with dignity to be a "healthcare choice," and therefore a "freedom."
With large organizations and people such as Stephan Hawking supporting this cause, I believe a change is on the horizon. After all, shouldn't the only person who can decide your threshold for suffering be you?
View Brittany's full story here:
Abbey,
ReplyDeleteI never really have thought about this issue before, so this post was very interesting. I think that Bethany, along with all other victims of terminal cancer, have the right to decide when they wish to die and how. Often, cancer does not give people a choice of when and how they want to die, but the pill allows those diagnosed with cancer to have some power in determining how they wish to die. While they cannot control the fact that they will die, the pill allows them to have them choose to die peacefully, instead of suffering to death from cancer.
Abbey -
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you and Claire. Losing the battle to a terminal illness is inevitable, but at least dying with dignity gives you and your family the opportunity to know exactly which day you will pass away. It's a very tough subject no matter what. Yet, I assume almost everyone would prefer to die with as little pain as possible. If that means choosing to "die with dignity" through pills, so be it. Hopefully with influnetial figures like Stephen Hawking on board, this option will become more widely available.
Abbey- I also wrote about this topic in my blog this week (http://sarahamericanstudies.blogspot.com) and I think we have similar views. However, I didn't know that influential figures like Stephen Hawkings are supporters of this organization. How do you think that will change things? I feel like it will bring more attention and media to the topic, because it is one that I feel is scarcely discussed.
ReplyDeleteI think this is such an interesting topic and shows how much control we are really able to have over our lives. I feel that there shouldn't be as large of a debate over whether or not she has the right to make this decision. This new "Death with Dignity" act has only been passed in a few states, and I feel it should be passed in all of them. If someone's terminal illness is making their quality of life not worth living anymore, then they should have a right to go peacefully.
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