Happy holidays!
Discussions about Death with Dignity and other end-of-life care options appeared in many different avenues during November—from prime-time TV through the The Dr. Oz Show and Criminal Minds; to our Development Manager, DeVida Johnson, and Death with Dignity-supporter, Bill Nerin; all the way to the Supreme Court of Georgia.

These open discussions about death and dying help others understand they're not alone and hopefully spur more of these conversations. Our continued effort to wipe out the taboo of talking about death is why we participated in the annual rally to Engage with Grace.

Check out these stories and more below and read the news as it happens on our blog, Living with Dying.

Sincerely,
Melissa Barber
Electronic Communications Specialist
Death with Dignity National Center

Facing Death: How a Loved One Dies Matters
by DeVida Johnson, Development Manager
Death has been a big part of my life for over 25 years. I lost both my parents in my 20s—young, I'm reminded every time the subject comes up. This I know from personal experience. Just when I was supposed to finally go out on my own, cut the apron strings, and discover all the wonders life had to offer, I instead found myself facing life and death decisions. While the deaths of my mom and dad were both devastating, they were vastly different. The way in which each chose to face their dying greatly affected the way I reacted and ultimately grieved.

Facing death is a tricky thing. So many emotions flood the system, confusing the heart and mind about what to think, what to do, how to feel. These emotions can easily override our ability to see things clearly from each other's perspective.

READ MORE >

Dr. Oz, Criminal Minds, and Death with Dignity
by Melissa Barber, Electronic Communications Specialist
I believe that if someone is terminally ill and at a point which they feel they can no longer continue to enjoy any quality of life—they've lost their dignity—their doctor should be able to legally prescribe medication to help them end their lives with that dignity.

What a strong statement of support for Death with Dignity laws! Working at the Death with Dignity National Center, it's not unusual for me to come across statements like this from supporters on our Facebook wall, through Twitter, over the phone, or via email. But I noticed this statement through an unexpected avenue.

READ MORE >

Supreme Court of Georgia Hears Assisted Death Case
by Melissa Barber, Electronic Communications Specialist
Don't Ask, Don't Tell is what sprung to mind when I watched the videos of Forsyth County District Attorney Penny Penn and defense attorney Robert Rivas present oral arguments to the Supreme Court of Georgia about the state's current statute regarding assisted death. This hearing is the latest twist in a case that's stretched on for three long years. It sounds like Don't Ask, Don't Tell because Georgia is arguing assisted death is permitted if the participants don't advertise or talk about it publicly.

How the state reached this conclusion is a winding road:

READ MORE >

A Widower's Perspective on Assisted Death
A guest post by Bill Nerin
Journal April 10, 2006—about six months after Anne's death.
We all thank God when a child is born, or when we recover from an illness based on the assumption that God has something to do with birth and recovery. But we don't seem to thank God for death even though it is assumed that God has something to do with that too.

Could death be the most splendid, glorious moment in that person's entire existence since birth? Then we shout for joy for Anne who has achieved that special oneness with the Good of All, the Beauty of All, the Music of All, the Love of All, the Peace and Joy of All—that some of us prefer to call God, Allah and other nouns trying to designate this reality.

READ MORE >

In This Issue:

• > Facing Death
• > Death with Dignity & Dr. Oz
• > Supreme Court of Georgia Hears Assisted Death Case
• > A Widower's Perspective on Assisted Death

Death with Dignity National Center is a BBB accredited charity.

Bring Dignity Home
Approaching the end of another year often elicits a time of reflecting on our accomplishments. It's also a time to look forward to next year's goals. From all of us at the Death with Dignity National Center, thank you for supporting our work.

We hope you'll continue to help us as we keep working to bring Dignity home in the coming year.

GIVE FOR TOMORROW'S LAWS >

"Where Do I Sign?"
Randee is a volunteer with Dignity 2012, and recently helped collect signatures for the Massachusetts Death with Dignity effort. "It was an honor because this petition, if it makes it to the ballot box in November 2012, will afford those who choose to end their lives with dignity and respect the opportunity to do so."

READ ABOUT RANDEE'S EFFORTS >

Engaging with Grace
With friends and family coming together to celebrate the holidays, it's an ideal time to make sure your loved ones know and understand your end-of-life care wishes. In November, we encouraged everyone to seize one such opportunity by taking part in the annual Engage with Grace blog rally over the Thanksgiving holiday.

FIVE QUESTIONS FOR YOU >

If Only
Shahina Lakhani, RN, MSN has been a nurse for over 25 years. She's worked as an educator, Nurse Practitioner and a Hospice Nurse. Her passion is to help others experience well-being and live powerfully until their last breath. Shahina contributed a poem inspired by a true story about the suffering a woman and her daughter endured due to lack of an advance directive.

READ THE POEM >

Spread the Word
As Massachusetts and Vermont move closer to enacting the next Death with Dignity Acts in 2012, we need your help letting more people know the facts about this additional end-of-life option.

PLEASE SHARE US WITH FRIENDS >

We'd love to hear from you!
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Tel: 503-228-4415
Fax: 503-967-7064
info@deathwithdignity.org

Images: DeVida and her parents provided by DeVida Johnson, Dr. Oz & Montel Williams care of The Dr. Oz Show, and Defense attorney Robert Rivas by John Disney of the Daily Report.
Contact the editor at mbarber@deathwithdignity.org