Every day, we hear from people whose lives have been forever changed by a terminal illness and how their often heartbreaking experiences have motivated them to advocate for death with dignity. Their stories inspire us to work toward ensuring terminally ill Americans have the freedom to decide how they die.
Read on to learn more about advocates from California, Ohio, and Texas and how you can share your death with dignity story.
Linda Davis-Reed
Linda Davis-Reed of California advocates for death with dignity to honor her late father, George Reed, who did not have the dignified death he sought.
“What death with dignity can offer is compassion and control,” Linda says. “So many people would be so much more at peace knowing that if things got unbearable, they would have an option that could ease their suffering, even if they chose not to exercise it.”
Steve Doyle
Ohio resident Steve Doyle has Stage IV prostate cancer; there is no cure. He knows he will not live long enough to see his state pass an assisted dying law, but he has chosen to devote the time he has left to speak in support of death with dignity.
“I want to lend my voice to the death with dignity movement and dispel the specious arguments against the practice that arise every time the issue gains public attention,” Steve says.
Chris Cooper
In late 2016, Chris Cooper of Texas lost his wife, Jenn, aka “Coopdizzle,” to Stage IV cancer. She was just 34 years old. (Before her death, Jenn recorded a video for us in which she described her end-of-life wishes and articulated her unwavering support for death with dignity; watch it here.)
Chris is writing a book, From Hell to Happiness: How to Heal When Your Loved One is Terminal, chronicling Jenn’s illness, his struggle to heal after her death, and how he found happiness in the face of loss.
What’s Your Story?
We want to hear from you: Do you have a death with dignity story? What inspired you to get involved in the cause? What does death with dignity mean to you? Get in touch and share your story here.
3 Comments.
Linda wensel
We would never allow an animal to suffer. I know we have medicine that would “keep us comfortable ” this medication actually keeps you out of it as they say. Your family has to sit around waiting fir you to finally pass.
I also would like to be able to end my life if I 8get to a point where I do no known my family. I think, currently I would have to administer the drugs but if I am so far gone I can’t push the plunger to administer the medicine and I have legally left instructions then my wishes should be carried out
Jennifer Grossman
I have chosen to study Death with Dignity for my MA thesis in Religious Studies at Arizona State University. I would like to have a contact person in Arizona whom I can interview. I also would like to see any studies of this movement. Thanks!
Susan Watkins
Hi Jennifer–I’m retired and have thought a lot about death w/dignity. I live in California, but I’d be happy to be interviewed by phone or email.
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