A 29-year old woman has chosen to end her life
 

Brittany Maynard, 29, was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer and had chosen to end her life on November 1st. Yesterday, a video was released chronicling her struggle with the illness, her feelings about her own death, and her intention to choose to end her life "at the right time".

Today was that day.

Read about Brittany's battle here.

What are your feelings on the Death With Dignity act (which allows people facing terminal illness to end their life without pain and suffering, with the assistance of a medical professional)?

I really don't know. I'd have to think about it for a long time. I guess my beef is that the money and time used to euthanize these people could be put toward people who have a chance at pulling through. But I can see both sides of the question. I mean, we do it for dogs.

I think most people would agree with the second option if they had all experienced a loved one going through something so terrible. Watching someone dear to you suffer is truly horrendous. Hell, or just watch Amour.

I don't know a lot about human euthanization but I assume potassium chloride is not a difficult chemical to get a hold of in the medical field. I don't think the procedure is difficult (in terms of how much time/manpower it takes to accomplish) or expensive compared to the extended care of terminal patients.

If it's the compassionate choice for terminally ill animals, I would expect it's just as compassionate for people.


Someone very close to me had a grandparent with an excruciating illness that (I think?) chose Death With Dignity. I met her shortly before she passed away and the image of her face, the chill of her hands, the whisper in her breath when she told me I had "beautiful hair" will never leave me. Never. The next time I saw her, she was in a casket and her husband (of 60-some years) had no idea she'd passed. (He has alzheimer's - he kept asking where she was and when she'd be back.) She suffered down to the last second of her life, and passed peacefully with loved ones at her side.

It's an awful decision to have to make. I can't condemn her or anyone who chooses that route. Hopefully, it's a decision I'll never have to make.

Same. I'm eternally grateful that I live in a state where the Death With Dignity act is a thing, and it's available to those with a terminal illness facing less than 8 months to live.

I support this. Your life your decision.

my dad died of cancer. before he even went to hospice he said to me "i'm ready to die" kinda guilty and i said "i don't blame you." at that point his life basically revolved around his illness and there was really no point to it. we understood each other and i would have killed him if it was legal but unfortunately he had to sweat it out. tbh this is one of those issues where i get confused why there's even another side.

I'm sorry for your loss. :( It breaks my heart that your state/province/locale doesn't have this law/didn't have it at the time of your father's passing. I'm sorry you had to watch the process of death in someone you love so much.

I thought I read that she had postponed it?