Gloria Taylor, right, is assisted by her sister Patty Ferguson outside British Columbia Supreme Court on Dec. 1, 2011. Taylor was seeking the right to doctor-assisted suicide. (Associated Press file photo)
Coloradans should welcome news that state Rep. Lois Court and a colleague plan to introduce a bill to authorize physician-assisted dying in the coming session.
The proposed bill would be similar to the law passed in 1997 in Oregon permitting this under very specific requirements. Oregon is mandated to keep detailed records of its use. The yearly reports find that less than 1/2 of 1 percent of Oregon’s dying citizens have used the doctor-prescribed drugs to hasten death. Many others, though eligible, have chosen a death without their use, but find comfort knowing an assisted death is an available option.
Death remains a toxic subject for most Americans, reluctant to have frank family discussions and to make hard decisions. As a result, many Coloradans regrettably experience a crisis at the bedside and an often unnecessarily prolonged dying by inches.
As Atul Gawande, the author and surgeon, has said, “Death is not a failure. Death is normal.”
Colorado needs a law to allow physician-assisted dying.
Mary Hoagland, Denver
This letter was published in the Jan. 7 edition.In the discussion about the “death with dignity” bill before the Colorado House, let me suggest that our lives are not our own. We did not create ourselves or give ourselves life. Life is a gift of God, and he sets the boundaries of our lives. What if his intent in our suffering through the undignified process of death is his gift to our loved ones that they may learn mercy and self-sacrifice?
Our lives have value and meaning, even when stricken with incurable cancer or Alzheimer’s disease. Killing ourselves is terribly selfish and, when done close to the anticipated end of our lives, may deprive our family and friends of the opportunity to turn from self-absorption and mature in love.
Bravo to hospice. And by the way, there was not much dignity in our birth and our years in diapers.
Dan Gardinier, Littleton
This letter was published in the Jan. 7 edition.
Submit a letter to the editor via this form or check out our guidelines for how to submit by e-mail or mail.
