Heartbreaking. Inspiring.

[vorlon13]

Back in the 80s when I was taking 'buddy' training to help people with AIDS I had to work out beforehand what I would and would not do if a comparable situation arose.

I won't pull the trigger, but I would take them shopping and advise on appropriateness of choice, for example. As it turns out, it never came up with anyone I was helping. I did know a few that did take that option, but they all isolated first and handled all the details on their own.

I friend of mine had a former boyfriend decline some treatments, but not others. I've never understood how 'R' came to approach HIV that way. It wasn't from fear or consequences of side effects as he did allow a form of chemo that was very debilitating. 'R' made several mysterious choices in life about several other non HIV related things, so I guess it was in character.

[c172]

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/brittany-may...-her-life/ Not sure how new this is, bt it was a very good interview, and showed the emotion of this situation.

I don't have cancer. I have spina bifida. Death can occur early, due to kidney or bowel failure, or other issues, but not always. I'm not living a life that I would want to end, but I support the right to suicide. Medical expenses put a drain on either one's own wallet or that of society (often both); I can see how, at some point, one is in too much pain and mental exhaustion to feel they contribute to society. I know the Dutch have a very healthy paradigm regarding euthanasia.

Unfortunately, people in my particular world of spina bifida sometimes worry about assisted suicide being outright encouraged. I just feel like it needs to be debated and clarified a bit better. People need to know what their options are, both in this world and the next.

[c172]

I saw this about her getting cold feet about this. But I've never really bothered reading the Post, just because it looks kind of tabloidy. I'm assuming this is real, though.
http://nypost.com/2014/10/30/terminally-...t-suicide/

[Chad32]

Well sure. The woman want to live. Few don't. It's still good to know that if she ever decided the pain is too much, she can put an end to it instead of being made to carry on in some hospital bed or whatever.

[abaris]

Brave.

There seems to be a concern about this issue (physician assisted suicide) raised by those who are against it. It involves insurance companies and the fear that if this is made legal, it will eventually lead to healthcare providers suggesting this option to people on a purely financial basis (for the sake of savings) and that people who are not perceived to add value to society, such as the chronically ill, will eventually be "targeted" for euthanasia. These sort of companies are known for their greed, so it is easy to see how they could fall into that sort of thinking.

I am basically paraphrasing some comments that I've seen on this story, I think it is something to think about.

That's one of the reasons why I'm split on the issue. On one hand, you absolutely should have the right to end your own suffering in a dignified way, but on the other hand, there's so much room for abuse.

[Minimalist]

It's a fucking shame that Americans are no longer capable of having a reasoned discussion on the problem because it REALLY does need to be addressed.

http://www.medicarenewsgroup.com/context...icy-debate

Total federal spending on health care eats up nearly 18 percent of the nation’s output, about double what most industrialized nations spend on health care. In 2011, Medicare spending reached close to $554 billion, which amounted to 21 percent of the total spent on U.S. health care in that year. Of that $554 billion, Medicare spent 28 percent, or about $170 billion, on patients’ last six months of life.

Understand that this is not about cures or saving lives. These people are going to fucking die. Everyone knows it. But the moment you mention it, as the article points out, you get some shrieking cunt like Sarah Palin screaming about "DEATH PANELS!!!!!" and everyone runs and hides.

And, for the record, let us not pretend that the medical industry is not deeply involved here. These dying people are a cash cow for them and milking Medicare is in their self-interest and they will milk them as long as they can.

[Heywood]

I'm all for the legal right to choose to end your life in a dignified way. It is indeed a very brave thing to do.

How dare other people tell you that you have to live no matter how much you are suffering, or what you know you will face.

This is the only way in which animals are treated better than humans, we don't let them suffer.

Would you be okay with suicide kits being sold OTC on the shelves of Rite-Aid? Say....Right next to male enhancement pills?

[Mudhammam]

Would you be okay with suicide kits being sold OTC on the shelves of Rite-Aid? Say....Right next to male enhancement pills?

This is a serious question?

Smh.

Gee, I wonder if Heywood can imagine certain drugs that one should only be able to acquire after having consulted a specialist?

How depressing it must be to view the world only in black and white.

[Heywood]

Would you be okay with suicide kits being sold OTC on the shelves of Rite-Aid? Say....Right next to male enhancement pills?

This is a serious question?

Smh.

Gee, I wonder if Heywood can imagine certain drugs that one should only be able to acquire after having consulted a specialist?

How depressing it must be to view the world only in black and white.

I'm undecided on the question. The libertarian in me says the right to commit suicide is a personal liberty and as long as no harm comes to anyone one else, people should be free to engage in personal liberties without being regulated by the government. But there is a part of me that doesn't like the idea of suicide kits being sold to anyone who wants them.

Its not that I view everything as black and white. Its that I like my world view to be consistent.

[Thumpalumpacus]

Would you be okay with suicide kits being sold OTC on the shelves of Rite-Aid? Say....Right next to male enhancement pills?

They're sold over the counter at stores around the country -- where's your moral indignation?

---

Oh, and we've even got dealerships for suicide implements: