MAID (Medical Aid In Dying)

Thinking about a medically assisted death (MAiD) can bring up questions and deep feelings for everyone involved: the person considering MAiD, family, friends, healthcare providers, and even strangers on an online forum like this one.

MAiD has been available in other jurisdictions for a while. This article and related reports might be helpful in understanding
- Why do people consider MAiD? https://www.virtualhospice.ca/maid/articles/why-do-people-consider-maid/

It is a personal choice, but a very public discussion. Please keep the Community Guidelines in mind when replying. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/about-connect/tab/community-guidelines/
- Respect all members and differing points of view.
- Keep politics out of the community conversations.

Despite being Catholic and the Catholic Church opposing MAID, I am all in favor. If someone is terminally ill and suffering, I don't see any reason why their suffering should continue if they want to end it. As you said, it is a very personal choice.

For me personally, the wider availability of MAID is welcome. I have watched too many loved ones suffer needlessly.

Death comes to us all. May there be grace and mercy at the end.

I live in WA state and previously in Oregon. We have had the death with dignity law for a long time. Not that many people use it. One must be able to administer the drugs to themselves and I think many who have the drugs on hand slip past that point. I considered moving to another state but decided not to because they don’t have such a compassionate law. I want the choice not to suffer.

I live in Illinois where they just passed MAID. I have a terminal illness and am so relieved that now I don’t have to worry about withering away to nothing while my family watches me suffer.

@shoch1957

I am so sorry for what you are going through.

Ditto!

Feel the exact same way in NY.
Merry Christmas! 🎄

Such a difficult decision for those who suffer through the dying process. I personally would not choose this because of my Catholic faith. I feel that today, with all of the pain meds to keep a patient comfortable, Hospice availablity along with Palative Care in many medical facilities, the patient can pass away without suffering, along with dignity, surrounded by their loved ones. However, I do understand that people who have different beliefs than I do have the right to make their own choices.

Please . . . if you yourself have not yet experienced the loss of someone dear, do some research, talk to friends.

Again and again, I have watched relatives subjected to costly and intrusive measures, when what they desperately needed was relief from pain.

A peaceful death is shockingly rare.

It's my opinion that we must do better.