“Every one of us will die. We should not have to suffer excruciating pain, shame, or a prolonged dying process.”
Brittany Maynard, who was 29 when she passed, was terminally ill with brain cancer when she made the decision to end her own life.
Last year, she moved from her home in California (where euthanasia is illegal) to Oregon so she could legally end her life on her own terms.
Now, four months after her death, her family have released a posthumous message where Maynard calls for the passing of laws in California to allow doctors to prescribe fatal drugs to terminal patients.
Read more: Brittany Maynard’s husband has described his late wife’s last day.
The video was released on Wednesday ahead of a Senate health committee hearing on California’s End of Life Option Act.
In the video, Maynard says freedom from prolonged pain and suffering is a basic human right that no one should be denied.
“No one should have to leave their home and community for peace of mind, to escape suffering, and to plan for a gentle death.”
“Unfortunately, California law prevented me from getting the end-of-life option I deserve,’’ Maynard says in the video.
Read more: Thank you, Brittany Maynard, for a life well lived.
The message was recorded 19 days before she took the drugs that eneded her life on 1 November 2014.
Leading up to her death, Maynard hoped her story would influence action from Californian politicians. Instead, it reignited the debate of “death with dignity” world-wide.
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Top Comments
I am going to start by saying that I am not actively practicing religion, and am pro choice for abortioon. I have also had the sad and horrible experience of seeing several love ones lives end because of cancer.
That said, I don't agree with the right to end ones own life because of a terminal illness. The reason for this is that there are too many occasions where the diagnosis is wrong, the risk of the law being misapplied, ie to elderly or the drug entering the street is just too great.
With many cancers that have become terminal, whilst it seem like the end and suffering is dragging, it speeds up very quickly in the end if there is no recovery. I would also hope that in all parts of the world, people would have access to appropriate and affective palliative care.
I respect Brittany for the legacy that she wanted to leave behind and know I will be hammered for this post, but the reality is, that there is a limit to what humans and medicine should be able to do.
100% supportive of Euthanasia.