Everett, Wash.
Published: Friday, May 9, 2008

Former governor Gardner speaks on right to die

The former governor discusses an effort to get an assisted suicide initiative on the fall ballot.

By Bill Sheets, Herald Writer

 MOUNTLAKE TERRACE -- Former Gov. Booth Gardner no longer runs the state, but now he'd like to be in control in a different way.

He wants to be able to die on his own terms if his quality of life becomes seriously diminished, he said at a meeting of the Lynnwood Rotary Club on Thursday.

Gardner, 72, has Parkinson's disease. For the past year, he has been promoting the controversial cause of physician-assisted suicide.

"I recognize there are people here who won't like what I'm about to say, and others who will be with me implicitly," he said. "I respect your view and I'm asking you to respect mine."

He's working on the campaign to get a "death with dignity" initiative on the ballot this fall. The Yes on 1000 committee needs 224,800 signatures by July 3 to qualify for the November ballot. Now, the campaign has about 120,000, a committee campaign worker said.

The proposal is patterned after a law that's been on the books in Oregon since 1997. Oregon is the only state in the nation that permits physician-assisted suicide.

Adults must be in their final six months of life, be found mentally competent by two doctors, receive counseling on alternatives such as hospice care and be given the opportunity to change their mind.

Records show 292 people in Oregon are known to have used the law to commit suicide between 1997 and the end of 2006. Others obtained the necessary medications but died from their underlying disease, according to state-compiled figures.

Arline Hinckley of Compassion and Choices of Washington, who spoke along with Gardner on Thursday, said the law only applies to patients who are terminal.

"Suicide is not an appropriate term," she said.

Parkinson's disease is a degenerative condition of the central nervous system that often impairs motor skills and speech. While Parkinson's is not classified as a terminal disease, it is progressive, affects quality of life and often eventually results in death, Gardner said.

He kept his comments at the luncheon very brief because it's hard for him to express his thoughts, especially in any kind of a pressure situation, he explained to the Rotary group. About 150 people attended the luncheon meeting at the Nile Country Club.

Gardner, who served as governor from 1985 to 1993, first fell ill on while traveling abroad in Geneva in 1992, he said. Six months later, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.

It was difficult for him. "I like to be in control," he said.

He has since undergone two brain operations aimed at helping him to control his movements.

Gardner had given $120,000 to the Yes on 1000 campaign as of mid-April, the most of any individual. The campaign had collected $884,041 in total contributions as of mid-April, according to the state Public Disclosure Commission.

The Coalition Against Assisted Suicide, the most visible opposition group to the measure, had raised $33,100 and spent $13,000 as of March 31, according to its filing.

The group could not be reached for comment. According to a statement on the coalition's Web site, "Most doctors and nurses believe their job is to promote health, treat symptoms, and cure medical conditions when possible. Promoting assisted suicide is inconsistent with their commitment to 'do no harm.' "

Reporter Bill Sheets: 425-339-3439 or sheets@heraldnet.com.
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA