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“If spoon feeding is no longer a right, I will be afraid for my life”

Sep 11, 2013

By Alex Schadenberg, Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

Alex Schadenberg, executive director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

Alex Schadenberg, executive director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

Introduction: Today, I received an email from a person with disabilities concerning the spoon feeding case in British Columbia. This letter explains the problem with granting the family the right to withdraw spoon feeding from a person who is considered incompetent. Alex Schadenberg

From the email:

In regards to the spoon feeding case.

I find this to be quite terrifying.

When I needed life saving care my “family” did not want me to receive it, my friend fought for me and I lived. When I was released from the hospital my “family” fought to have me put in a nursing home, once again my friend fought for me. For over a year she fought for me while caring for me 24/7 part of that care was spoon feeding. We had to leave our home and ended up sleeping on the streets and then a homeless shelter and then a motel until we found an accessible apartment.

If this family wins and spoon feeding is no longer a right, I am afraid, Alex I am afraid for my life.

My disability was caused by childhood abuse and I have spent over 10 years looking over my shoulder and fleeing from a family who keeps finding me. I live in fear, I live with a disability and I live with depression but I have survived, I have survived an unimaginable life when no one thought I would and now I am left wondering what for?

The push for assisted suicide and now the push to withhold spoon feeding has left me terrified and feeling hopeless. I cannot afford to flee my home again and I do not want to die because I cannot lift a spoon to my mouth.

Categories: Euthanasia