#brittanymaynard

Today at 6:45 PM EST, watch the free live stream from Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates with arguments for and against: Legalize Assisted Suicide

About the debate: In 1994, Oregon voters passed the Death with Dignity Act, which legalized physician-assisted suicide for the terminally ill. Since then, it has become legal in 4 more states, including New Mexico, where the state court ruling that it is constitutional is under appeal. Is it, in the words of the American Medical Association’s code of ethics, “fundamentally incompatible with the physician’s role as healer”? Will these laws lead to a slippery slope, where the vulnerable are pressured to choose death and human life is devalued? Or do we need to recognize everyone’s basic right to autonomy, the right to end pain and suffering, and the right to choose to die with dignity?

Arguing for the motion:

Andrew Solomon, Prof. of Clinical Psychology at Columbia University

Philosopher Peter Singer, Prof. of Bioethics at Princeton University

Arguing against the motion:

Baroness Ilora Finlay, President of the British Medical Association

Dr. Daniel Sulmasy, Member of the Presidential Bioethics Commission

Brittany Maynard, decided to end her life this past Saturday. I applaud her, commend her, and respect her 100 million percent, for taking her own life in her own hands rather than handing it to our medical system. I have absolutely nothing against our healthcare, but in these terminal cases, isn't it wrong to have someone unrelated, decide on her fate? Doctor's see these cases I am sure every single day, thus they become desensitized to it, no longer sympathetic. Brittany would be just another case. Well, glad that she wasn't, showing the world and our humanity, what it is really life to be human: To enjoy life, to live it, to take matters in your own hands, to be compassionate towards all living things, and to smile and be positive despite the troubles and negative events in one's life. 

Brittany, may you rest in peace and look down from heaven above, hoping we become better humans in light of your choice and story. I know I have. I'm 25 years old, only 4 years younger than this woman. It could be me, it could have been anyone of us.

So have a beautiful day everyone. It's Monday, start your week doing whatever you wish to do. If you have work or school for the day, do something enjoyable at night. Spend time with your friends and family, go see a movie, go have an ice cream. Whatever you decide to do, know that you are fulfilling your day and making yourself happy. DO YOU and be there beside your loved ones.

The woman was terminal. She chose to end her life on her own terms. She is owed more than becoming another suicide statistic.

I’m sad for her family. I’m proud of her strength.

If I were in her shoes, I hope I’d make the same choices.