Thank you for this, your mitzvah was tremendous. I am surrounded by people who are close to end of life and I see my role to provide them with not just rehabilitation therapy where relevant but kindness and caring because many are alone.
I fully subscribe to taking care of our own members of the tribe but as a Jewess who lives in rural Washington it pains me that there are few to none who feel the same. Who will care for me when I need it?
Elissa, this is another principle we have in common--self-determination at end of life when possible. I was the ED for Massachusetts Death with Dignity, and I am still an active coalition member. We are hoping--after YEARS of trying--that this is the FY the legislature finally votes for medical aid in dying. It is moving through various committees in the Senate and the House.
I have also been a disabilities advocate. When bureaucrats from that world instill fear tactics into the public (people will be euthanized, for example), I respond that they are paternalistically treating people with disabilities as though they do not have the same rights to autonomy and dignity as anyone else. This, plus the fact that the legislation is very tight. No one can use it for premature death. One has to have a documented terminal illness of six months or less to live, seen by psych to confirm they are aware of the choice without coercion, etc. No doctor is mandated to prescribe the meds, so only doctors who are on board are involved, and the person must ingest the meds unassisted.
It is unconscionable that we allow people to suffer needlessly. If you do not like medical aid in dying, well, then do not access it. It's all about individual choice. Many people who get the prescription do not take it, yet it offers them tremendous peace of mind and emotional well-being to know they can take it if they need.
YOU continue to be such a mensch, Elissa, that I am simply in total awe of you. THANK YOU!
Elissa, the breadth and depth of your compassion and generosity are amazing and inspiring. Thank you.
Thank you for this, your mitzvah was tremendous. I am surrounded by people who are close to end of life and I see my role to provide them with not just rehabilitation therapy where relevant but kindness and caring because many are alone.
I fully subscribe to taking care of our own members of the tribe but as a Jewess who lives in rural Washington it pains me that there are few to none who feel the same. Who will care for me when I need it?
Thank you for also allowing us to be touched by this love!
So many mitzvot. Visiting the sick, showing compassion.
Elissa, this is another principle we have in common--self-determination at end of life when possible. I was the ED for Massachusetts Death with Dignity, and I am still an active coalition member. We are hoping--after YEARS of trying--that this is the FY the legislature finally votes for medical aid in dying. It is moving through various committees in the Senate and the House.
I have also been a disabilities advocate. When bureaucrats from that world instill fear tactics into the public (people will be euthanized, for example), I respond that they are paternalistically treating people with disabilities as though they do not have the same rights to autonomy and dignity as anyone else. This, plus the fact that the legislation is very tight. No one can use it for premature death. One has to have a documented terminal illness of six months or less to live, seen by psych to confirm they are aware of the choice without coercion, etc. No doctor is mandated to prescribe the meds, so only doctors who are on board are involved, and the person must ingest the meds unassisted.
It is unconscionable that we allow people to suffer needlessly. If you do not like medical aid in dying, well, then do not access it. It's all about individual choice. Many people who get the prescription do not take it, yet it offers them tremendous peace of mind and emotional well-being to know they can take it if they need.
YOU continue to be such a mensch, Elissa, that I am simply in total awe of you. THANK YOU!
This is beautiful. Thank you.
What a gorgeous and very Jewish essay! I was blessed when I was Bat mitzvahed to have “Na’a’seh v’neshmah” as my Torah portion.