In Oregon, only a small percentage of people who were terminally ill used the end of life medicine.
Just to know that it “there” is a form of comfort.
The ones who did use it were able to die at home with loved ones near them, instead of lingering alone in a hospital. It is a known fact that the room where there is someone dying doesn’t get visits.
My mother died away all alone because she did not want me to be accused of her death. I have since heard of other couples who send their partner away — how lonely and terribly unfair not to be allowed to be there with our loved ones at this sacred and personal moment of dying.
Having volunteered at hospices for some years, I have many stories. A vibrant young man I know has cancer all over his body now. He has a great fiancee, and the two of them are embracing the fact that one day the pain may be unbearable; he wants to have the choice of I-1000.
Another young man said: “My dad has cancer in his face. If one day he wants me to help him die with dignity, I want to help him — and I don’t want to go to jail.”
The fact is that we all going to die, and as I respect the wish/belief of others, I only request for me and others the right to choose how and where I am going to die when I am terminally ill. My life, my body does not belong to politicians or religious groups.
Corinne Beuchet
Edmonds
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