Comments on: Signs of Hope in Western States http://www.compassionandchoices.org/2011/02/28/signs-of-hope-in-western-states/ End-of-Life Choice, Palliative Care and Counseling Sun, 29 Jul 2012 05:06:15 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Carla http://www.compassionandchoices.org/2011/02/28/signs-of-hope-in-western-states/#comment-489 Carla Tue, 12 Apr 2011 21:02:57 +0000 http://blog.compassionandchoices.org/?p=1353#comment-489 Maarten: I would suggest you contact our Roland Halpern, our Community Groups Representative, to discuss what's going on in your state. You can reach him at rhalpern@compassionandchoices.org. Maarten:

I would suggest you contact our Roland Halpern, our Community Groups Representative, to discuss what’s going on in your state. You can reach him at rhalpern@compassionandchoices.org.

]]> By: Maarten Pennink http://www.compassionandchoices.org/2011/02/28/signs-of-hope-in-western-states/#comment-488 Maarten Pennink Sun, 06 Mar 2011 15:52:04 +0000 http://blog.compassionandchoices.org/?p=1353#comment-488 I am about to finish the book by Derek Humphry "Final Exit". My mother was euthanized in The Netherlands and I am all for self determination, where a doctor, MY doctor will advise me and stand by my side when the time comes according to my wishes. Yes, I have a Living Will and my Health Care Power of Attorney. I want to assist in the development of an organization and eventually legislation allowing patients to assisted in the End-of-Life process without shame, but gracefully. Now, I live in NC, a very conservative state, but its inhabitants too will eventually have to consider this kind of approach. So, where do you suggest I go from here? Additional comment: Most, if not all my friends do agree with the above. The actions are missing, though. We'll have to start somewhere! In 2012, UN-Charlotte is planning a symposium with "End-of-Life" as one of the subjects with me as the "generator". If we can converse further by mail or in person (what a pleasure that would be!) do communicate! Name a place (NC) and a couple of dates, and we'll work it out! Thanks! Maarten Pennink Charlotte, NC I am about to finish the book by Derek Humphry “Final Exit”. My mother was euthanized in The Netherlands and I am all for self determination, where a doctor, MY doctor will advise me and stand by my side when the time comes according to my wishes. Yes, I have a Living Will and my Health Care Power of Attorney.
I want to assist in the development of an organization and eventually legislation allowing patients to assisted in the End-of-Life process without shame, but gracefully. Now, I live in NC, a very conservative state, but its inhabitants too will eventually have to consider this kind of approach.
So, where do you suggest I go from here?
Additional comment: Most, if not all my friends do agree with the above. The actions are missing, though. We’ll have to start somewhere! In 2012, UN-Charlotte is planning a symposium with “End-of-Life” as one of the subjects with me as the “generator”.
If we can converse further by mail or in person (what a pleasure that would be!) do communicate! Name a place (NC) and a couple of dates, and we’ll work it out! Thanks!
Maarten Pennink
Charlotte, NC

]]> By: Robert Skinner http://www.compassionandchoices.org/2011/02/28/signs-of-hope-in-western-states/#comment-487 Robert Skinner Fri, 04 Mar 2011 16:53:58 +0000 http://blog.compassionandchoices.org/?p=1353#comment-487 So you better understand my comments, I say politically and ethically that I am a conservative thinker and cannot escape this as my family heritage rooted in Christianity. There, I used the dreaded "C" word that a majority of progressives react by then assuming that this "Jesus Freak" will now preach from the "Good Book", their "Bad Book", giving them, in their view, all they need to vilify, to denigrate one's position. But I will not go there. I will add that I am an Independent, not a Republican, and so you have a better chance to persuade me that your views are viable, if you care to do so. But first, I do take offense that you have singled out Catholic bishops as the prime suspects, the culprits for thwarting what you hold is your noble cause - advocating legislative power that sanctions self inflicted death toward the end of one's "predicted" end of life. Now, I understand the pain of witnessing my grandfather die a slow death once he slipped into a coma with no real medical hope that he could be revived. The plug was pulled. This seems reasonable but even most Bishops, or ministers would admonish this act. Under such conditions I must disagree. But what you are advocating is a medical prediction that if an elderly person will die within 6 months, that person has available a chemical compound that a physician will hand them and can witness their taking it as to end their life. This I do not agree is humane. I will not continue here but I ask this as I am not sure. If a person of say, 18 years old - or younger - has been told he or she has only 6 months to live, are you advocating that this person be offered the prescribed death pill ? And in the case a minor, of say 15, had knowledge of his or her likelihood of a pending death, and their parent(s) did not know - would you support parental notification. I as this as liberals and progressives stand firm that if a girl of 15 is pregnant that she, a minor, can make a decision without council from their doctor, or parent or priest/minister, to abort the life inside her. So you better understand my comments, I say politically and ethically that I am a conservative thinker and cannot escape this as my family heritage rooted in Christianity. There, I used the dreaded “C” word that a majority of progressives react by then assuming that this “Jesus Freak” will now preach from the “Good Book”, their “Bad Book”, giving them, in their view, all they need to vilify, to denigrate one’s position. But I will not go there. I will add that I am an Independent, not a Republican, and so you have a better chance to persuade me that your views are viable, if you care to do so.
But first, I do take offense that you have singled out Catholic bishops as the prime suspects, the culprits for thwarting what you hold is your noble cause – advocating legislative power that sanctions self inflicted death toward the end of one’s “predicted” end of life. Now, I understand the pain of witnessing my grandfather die a slow death once he slipped into a coma with no real medical hope that he could be revived. The plug was pulled. This seems reasonable but even most Bishops, or ministers would admonish this act. Under such conditions I must disagree. But what you are advocating is a medical prediction that if an elderly person will die within 6 months, that person has available a chemical compound that a physician will hand them and can witness their taking it as to end their life. This I do not agree is humane. I will not continue here but I ask this as I am not sure. If a person of say, 18 years old – or younger – has been told he or she has only 6 months to live, are you advocating that this person be offered the prescribed death pill ? And in the case a minor, of say 15, had knowledge of his or her likelihood of a pending death, and their parent(s) did not know – would you support parental notification. I as this as liberals and progressives stand firm that if a girl of 15 is pregnant that she, a minor, can make a decision without council from their doctor, or parent or priest/minister, to abort the life inside her.

]]>