Calgary judge rules woman with autism can seek Medical Assistance In Dying

[Gatsby]

“What I know of your journey through the health-care system from the evidence in this case suggests that you have struggled to find a doctor who could diagnose your condition and offer appropriate treatment,” he said.

“I do not know why you seek MAID. Your reasons remain your own because I have respected your autonomy and your privacy. My decision recognizes your right to choose medically assisted death; but it does not require you to choose death.”

Calgary judge rules woman with autism can seek Medical Assistance in Dying

A Calgary judge says injunction preventing a woman accessing MAID should be lifted, but stays ruling pending a possible appeal.

calgaryherald.com

A 27-year-old autistic woman with no terminal illness (in fact, no physical illness at all that has been disclosed) has been approved for MAID in Canada. The judge even admitted he doesn't know why she wants it, but wants to respect her privacy by not asking.

Although I generally think terminally ill patients should be allowed euthanasia if they want, witnessing the horror show that's been happening in Canada for the past few years has made me much more skeptical about expanding euthanasia in America. This decision is unconscionable. Clearly, places that do a bad job of implementing these laws can find themselves on a slippery slope, expanding eligibility from terminally ill patients, to non-terminally ill patients in pain, to mentally ill patients, to no-questions-asked euthanasia to respect privacy.

What are your thoughts? Under what circumstances, if any, should euthanasia be allowed?

 

[Allan]

What are your thoughts? Under what circumstances, if any, should euthanasia be allowed?

I'm fine with the law as it currently stands. I know people who have benefited from MAID and I would consider it for myself if conditions were hopeless.

 

[trixare4kids]

A 27-year-old autistic woman with no terminal illness (in fact, no physical illness at all that has been disclosed) has been approved for MAID in Canada. The judge even admitted he doesn't know why she wants it, but wants to respect her privacy by not asking.

Not for the above.

Although I generally think terminally ill patients should be allowed euthanasia if they want, witnessing the horror show that's been happening in Canada for the past few years has made me much more skeptical about expanding euthanasia in America. This decision is unconscionable. Clearly, places that do a bad job of implementing these laws can find themselves on a slippery slope, expanding eligibility from terminally ill patients, to non-terminally ill patients in pain, to mentally ill patients in pain, to no-questions-asked euthanasia to respect privacy.

What are your thoughts? Under what circumstances, if any, should euthanasia be allowed?

I pretty much see it the way you do. I think most normal thinking people would too. At least I hope this is the case.

 

[Jessie C]

I wasn't aware that Canada had anything like this. Assisted suicide is still highly illegal here. Many years ago Dr. Kevorkian assisted an elderly patient dying of terminal cancer and ended up in spending 8 years in prison.

I'm not opposed to assisted suicide when a person of sound mind is terminally ill suffering in severe pain, and has no quality of life. However, a 27 year old woman who's only affliction is being autistic...sorry, I can't see that.

I think it's a very slippery slope and a huge Pandora's box, and I can't see it being legalized here any time soon.

 

[Demon]

I wasn't aware that Canada had anything like this. Assisted suicide is still highly illegal here. Many years ago Dr. Kevorkian assisted an elderly patient dying of terminal cancer and ended up in spending 8 years in prison.

I'm not opposed to assisted suicide when a person of sound mind is terminally ill suffering in severe pain, and has no quality of life. However, a 27 year old woman who's only affliction is being autistic...sorry, I can't see that.

I think it's a very slippery slope and a huge Pandora's box, and I can't see it being legalized here any time soon.

We have it in CO, but you need to have a terminal illness and have 6 months to live. OR, CA and probably other states have it too.

 

[Allan]

I wasn't aware that Canada had anything like this. Assisted suicide is still highly illegal here. Many years ago Dr. Kevorkian assisted an elderly patient dying of terminal cancer and ended up in spending 8 years in prison.

I'm not opposed to assisted suicide when a person of sound mind is terminally ill suffering in severe pain, and has no quality of life. However, a 27 year old woman who's only affliction is being autistic...sorry, I can't see that.

I think it's a very slippery slope and a huge Pandora's box, and I can't see it being legalized here any time soon.

The US allows assisted suicide in 11 States.

Other countries besides Canada allow assisted dying even where a terminal disease is not involved. Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland and a few others.

 

[Demon]

The US allows assisted suicide in 11 States.

Other countries besides Canada allow assisted dying even where a terminal disease is not involved. Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland and a few others.

I wish our law was more in line with Canada, etc.

 

[Jessie C]

The US allows assisted suicide in 11 States.

Other countries besides Canada allow assisted dying even where a terminal disease is not involved. Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland and a few others.

I didn't know that, thanks for the info!

 

[Allan]

I wish our law was more in line with Canada, etc.

It's difficult because religious groups raise hell. They did here as well but they have little influence on government medical policies.

 

[Demon]

It's difficult because religious groups raise hell. They did here as well but they have little influence on government medical policies.

Yeah, Compassion and Choices (aid in dying) was reaching out for testimony so that CO could expand who can prescribe it and to cut the wait time to access the meds. I emailed my testimony to a rep. before I submitted it because I didn't want to do say anything to scare the religious objectors.

 

[Pyrite]

Not for the above.

You aren't living her life.

I pretty much see it the way you do. I think most normal thinking people would too. At least I hope this is the case.

I'm normal, and I do what I hope "most normal thinking people" do: Not make snap judgments about the lives others lead.

 

[Pyrite]

I wasn't aware that Canada had anything like this. Assisted suicide is still highly illegal here. Many years ago Dr. Kevorkian assisted an elderly patient dying of terminal cancer and ended up in spending 8 years in prison.

I'm not opposed to assisted suicide when a person of sound mind is terminally ill suffering in severe pain, and has no quality of life. However, a 27 year old woman who's only affliction is being autistic...sorry, I can't see that.

I think it's a very slippery slope and a huge Pandora's box, and I can't see it being legalized here any time soon.

I can see it.

Of course, I have had a front row seat re life as a person on the autism spectrum.

 

[Demon]

I can see it.

Of course, I have had a front row seat re life as a person on the autism spectrum.

I can think of a couple of things right off the top of my head that aren't considered terminal but that I wouldn't want to live through when they got really bad - MS & Parkinson's

 

[Jessie C]

I can see it.

Of course, I have had a front row seat re life as a person on the autism spectrum.

I'm sorry if my post came off insensative Pyrite, absolutely no offense intended. Autism is a much misunderstood condition for most of us.

 

[BirdinHand]

All I can think is what kind of anguish is a 27 year old in that they are seeking this out…and my heart breaks.

 

[Normalist]

Honestly just shows how all of this is a mistake, I would only be ok with this kind of stuff if its some guy who's in pain and where his death is certain, but it has gone far, far beyond that.

 

[Allan]

Honestly just shows how all of this is a mistake, I would only be ok with this kind of stuff if its some guy who's in pain and where his death is certain, but it has gone far, far beyond that.

Quadriplegic?

 

[Normalist]

Quadriplegic?

Even in that case, I dont think they should be allowed to end their own life.

 

[Gatsby]

You aren't living her life.

I'm normal, and I do what I hope "most normal thinking people" do: Not make snap judgments about the lives others lead.

She is seeking to end her life, and asking the state to participate in that process. That absolutely should require some judgments about her life.

 

[Allan]

Even in that case, I dont think they should be allowed to end their own life.

A person can always end their own life. That is their absolute right as an individual.

The question is whether the government should enable it to be a painless procedure.

 

[Allan]

She is seeking to end her life, and asking the state to participate in that process. That absolutely should require some judgments about her life.

Who are we to judge?

 

[Normalist]

A person can always end their own life. That is their absolute right as an individual.

The question is whether the government should enable it to be a painless procedure.

I don't think that should be allowed either.

 

[Gatsby]

Who are we to judge?

If the actual judge can't be bothered to judge (because he wants to respect her privacy and so won't even ask why), then I'm going to judge this to be a very bad law.

: "I want to end my life."
: "Coolsies, let us help you with that."


Like...can't we at least treat this situation with the gravity of the decision, and find out why? And then *maybe* allow it if she has a good reason?

 

[Allan]

If the actual judge can't be bothered to judge (because he wants to respect her privacy to even ask why), then I'm going to judge this to be a very bad law.

: "I want to end my life."
: "Coolsies, let us help you with that."


Like...can't we at least treat this situation with the gravity of the decision and find out why? And then *maybe* allow it if she has a good reason?

The judge made the correct decision imo. The government has no business interfering in an individual's medical preference, even if it's life ending.

 

[Gatsby]

A person can always end their own life. That is their absolute right as an individual.

The question is whether the government should enable it to be a painless procedure.

No. Not in cases like this.