What an excellent piece, particularly given how difficult it surely was to write. MAID offers dignity and a measure of control for individuals arguably at the time they need it most. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much for sharing this story. I have a family member who has a similar condition and is pursuing approval for MAiD as well. I feel that objections to scheduled dying are wrapped up more in our own uncomfortability with death than actual concerns about the ethics of it. I too take comfort that my loved-one has the option and that our family can focus on saying goodbye instead of the existential dread that is slowly disappearing by way of terminal illness.
Thank you Kristen. That was a powerful, loving, piece which really strikes to my heart. It must be surreal to go through the prelude to the actual death, with the knowledge of a given date and time. You expressed that, and the whole process in your family towards a much loved step-mom, so well. This is what MAID is meant to look like.
I am a physician, and have been long supportive of MAID, having watched the legal wrangling, the justifiable concerns raised and discussed and the eventual evolution of what some think is the best process in the western world for MAID, except for the very difficult question of the advance directive. Your piece adds significantly to the ongoing discussion.
For anyone interested there was a very good discussion of MAID in the Economist in November.
I'm sorry for your loss, Kristin. It seems like it would be very hard to endure.
This experience seems to be the kind of medical condition MAiD was designed for -- an incurable, degenerative disease that is poised to destroy the patient, mentally and physically. I worry, though, that in other instances Canada might be using MAiD on elderly people who we as families and as a society simply don't want to support. It offers the government a convenient "out" for their underfunding of elderly care and palliative care. People who want to live should be given the help they need.
Wow wonderful heartfelt story - it's so often that we read stories of government actions going wrong it was nice to read about how the Liberals (?) got it right!
This bought to the verge of tears. My dad passed away in hospital in Nov 85, two days before his 72nd birthday. I went to see him on Halloween and after being with dad for a while l asked the doctor how long, he replied by the weekend and so it was that Saturday. Somewhat different circumstance but the pre knowledge is the same. I'm a strong believer and supporter, it's my life, body and choice. Everyone deserves dignity and choice.
Thank you so much Kristen for this moving and important letter to all of us. And thank you to The Line for publishing this. I’d be interested in further discussion on this, e.g. Canada’s approach as against other countries’ approaches (e.g. Switzerland).
Very brave of you and your family to post this. Thanks. I'm not sure what to think about the issue, so this is an important perspective. With my parents, one died after a lengthy illness, the other died quickly. Quite different experiences, for them and for the family.
What an excellent piece, particularly given how difficult it surely was to write. MAID offers dignity and a measure of control for individuals arguably at the time they need it most. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much for sharing this story. I have a family member who has a similar condition and is pursuing approval for MAiD as well. I feel that objections to scheduled dying are wrapped up more in our own uncomfortability with death than actual concerns about the ethics of it. I too take comfort that my loved-one has the option and that our family can focus on saying goodbye instead of the existential dread that is slowly disappearing by way of terminal illness.
Thank-you for this beautiful story.
A terrible, wonderful story. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Kristen. That was a powerful, loving, piece which really strikes to my heart. It must be surreal to go through the prelude to the actual death, with the knowledge of a given date and time. You expressed that, and the whole process in your family towards a much loved step-mom, so well. This is what MAID is meant to look like.
I am a physician, and have been long supportive of MAID, having watched the legal wrangling, the justifiable concerns raised and discussed and the eventual evolution of what some think is the best process in the western world for MAID, except for the very difficult question of the advance directive. Your piece adds significantly to the ongoing discussion.
For anyone interested there was a very good discussion of MAID in the Economist in November.
I'm sorry for your loss, Kristin. It seems like it would be very hard to endure.
This experience seems to be the kind of medical condition MAiD was designed for -- an incurable, degenerative disease that is poised to destroy the patient, mentally and physically. I worry, though, that in other instances Canada might be using MAiD on elderly people who we as families and as a society simply don't want to support. It offers the government a convenient "out" for their underfunding of elderly care and palliative care. People who want to live should be given the help they need.
Wow wonderful heartfelt story - it's so often that we read stories of government actions going wrong it was nice to read about how the Liberals (?) got it right!
This bought to the verge of tears. My dad passed away in hospital in Nov 85, two days before his 72nd birthday. I went to see him on Halloween and after being with dad for a while l asked the doctor how long, he replied by the weekend and so it was that Saturday. Somewhat different circumstance but the pre knowledge is the same. I'm a strong believer and supporter, it's my life, body and choice. Everyone deserves dignity and choice.
Thank you so much Kristen for this moving and important letter to all of us. And thank you to The Line for publishing this. I’d be interested in further discussion on this, e.g. Canada’s approach as against other countries’ approaches (e.g. Switzerland).
Touching and thoughtful. Thank you for sharing.
Very brave of you and your family to post this. Thanks. I'm not sure what to think about the issue, so this is an important perspective. With my parents, one died after a lengthy illness, the other died quickly. Quite different experiences, for them and for the family.