This highlights many of the important issues around MAID. Glad to hear this conversation and help spread the information. We are dealing with a culture that is reluctant to embrace and celebrate death, mostly out of fear and ignorance and that's an entire topic itself. I think most people consider a good death to be an oxymoron. Looking forward to reading Steven's book. Thanks, Debbie
I'm finally getting around to listening to this. Bravo.
I'm a nurse in Canada. I'm a firm believer in MAID. I have seen many terrible deaths and think this option to end your life on your terms is important. Everyone should have the right to have access to it. I also believe that MAID is not the answer for people who cannot afford or do not have access to end of life (Palliative) care. I realize that is more of an American problem with fee for service. Katie Engelhart's book The Inevitable is a great read. As with everything, education is a key to understanding.
Around the same time my sister was the caregiver for her MIL with Alzheimer’s I had to put down our dog who was in pain, peeing and pooing on himself, unable to walk and not going to heal. Giving our dog a lethal dose of whatever chemical was humane. My sister suggested that it was inhumane to allow her MIL to live in a similar way. I know several people who went thru horrific illnesses with a parent with no options.
MAID sounds like an important alternative. The thought that we treat our dogs more humanely doesn’t make sense. And yes, I believe in G-d.
CK (Carissa), it’s an odd contradiction, isn’t it? We can offer our dogs a merciful exit that we can’t offer a loved one. Thank you for your thoughtful comment.
I am interested in this process and have mixed feelings but overall I know that death comes for us all and I am grateful for this opportunity to spread awareness if this is the way you wish to leave this life. I have my mantra from 20 yrs in eldercare that death is inevitable but suffering doesn't have to be...our society has become the product of confusion and more pain at times..forcing their thoughts beliefs and judgements on individuals who aren't able or willing to make their wishes heard..have these conversations well before you lose your right to decide...it's the most loving thing you can do...sadly most will refuse to talk about end of life because it's too painful..ie...to let mom go...but much suffering could be avoided if boundaries had been clearly set..and DONT VILLIFY NURSING HOMES!!..they are a lovely place to be if you take time to visit and volunteer and see the the improved overall quality of care and awesome people that are your best source of real time answers and if you plan it early enough you can write your own desired experience and make the best of the rest of your last phase of life...I would not trade my time with these precious souls for it was so ...valuable and life affirming!
![[B]OLD AGE with Debbie Weil](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/e_trim:10:white/e_trim:10:transparent/h_72,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb939748d-5d80-4d0f-867c-2ed252ac633c_1344x256.png)
This highlights many of the important issues around MAID. Glad to hear this conversation and help spread the information. We are dealing with a culture that is reluctant to embrace and celebrate death, mostly out of fear and ignorance and that's an entire topic itself. I think most people consider a good death to be an oxymoron. Looking forward to reading Steven's book. Thanks, Debbie
I'm finally getting around to listening to this. Bravo.
I'm a nurse in Canada. I'm a firm believer in MAID. I have seen many terrible deaths and think this option to end your life on your terms is important. Everyone should have the right to have access to it. I also believe that MAID is not the answer for people who cannot afford or do not have access to end of life (Palliative) care. I realize that is more of an American problem with fee for service. Katie Engelhart's book The Inevitable is a great read. As with everything, education is a key to understanding.
Thank you for this post.
thank you Lisa — a complicated issue but talking to Steven was clarifying
Around the same time my sister was the caregiver for her MIL with Alzheimer’s I had to put down our dog who was in pain, peeing and pooing on himself, unable to walk and not going to heal. Giving our dog a lethal dose of whatever chemical was humane. My sister suggested that it was inhumane to allow her MIL to live in a similar way. I know several people who went thru horrific illnesses with a parent with no options.
MAID sounds like an important alternative. The thought that we treat our dogs more humanely doesn’t make sense. And yes, I believe in G-d.
Looking forward to listening to the podcast.
CK (Carissa), it’s an odd contradiction, isn’t it? We can offer our dogs a merciful exit that we can’t offer a loved one. Thank you for your thoughtful comment.
I am interested in this process and have mixed feelings but overall I know that death comes for us all and I am grateful for this opportunity to spread awareness if this is the way you wish to leave this life. I have my mantra from 20 yrs in eldercare that death is inevitable but suffering doesn't have to be...our society has become the product of confusion and more pain at times..forcing their thoughts beliefs and judgements on individuals who aren't able or willing to make their wishes heard..have these conversations well before you lose your right to decide...it's the most loving thing you can do...sadly most will refuse to talk about end of life because it's too painful..ie...to let mom go...but much suffering could be avoided if boundaries had been clearly set..and DONT VILLIFY NURSING HOMES!!..they are a lovely place to be if you take time to visit and volunteer and see the the improved overall quality of care and awesome people that are your best source of real time answers and if you plan it early enough you can write your own desired experience and make the best of the rest of your last phase of life...I would not trade my time with these precious souls for it was so ...valuable and life affirming!