Politics Brooklyn Boro

Advocacy group invites Brooklynites to support Medical Aid in Dying Act

November 8, 2017 By Liliana Bernal Special to the Brooklyn Daily Eagle
The skeleton is the most traditional symbol of Day of the Dead. Eagle photo by Liliana Bernal
The skeleton is the most traditional symbol of Day of the Dead. Eagle photo by Liliana Bernal
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Typically, the Day of the Dead is associated with a mystical celebration to honor those who have passed away. But for the advocacy group Compassion and Choices, it was an opportunity to urge Brooklynites to support the Medical Aid in Dying Act, which intends to allow qualified terminally-ill adults, with a prognosis of six months or less to live, the option to request, obtain and self-ingest medication to die.

Day of the Dead celebrations on Nov. 1 and Nov. 2 bring family and friends together to pray and remember those who have died, helping them in their spiritual journey.

At the Douglas Bar in Gowanus, about a dozen people met to celebrate the Mexican holiday in a different way.

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Instead of writing letters to their loved ones who passed away, they wrote letters to assemblymembers who represent their districts, asking them to support the Medical Aid in Dying Act.

“To die with dignity means to die in the way that you choose,” said Corinne Carey, campaign director of Compassion and Choices.

Brooklyn’s John Breece wrote a short note to mayoral candidate Nicole Malliotakis: “Dear Assemblywoman Malliotakis, good luck in the mayor’s race! Please give some thoughtful consideration to approving the Medical Aid in Dying Act. It will truly ease the suffering of so many.”

The Medical Aid in Dying Act is sponsored by state Assemblymember Amy Paulin and state Sen. Diane J. Savino.

The event was part of the campaign to urge the legislature to pass the bill.

New York’s highest court unanimously upheld the state’s prohibition against doctors helping their patients end their lives, last September.

Kathleen M. Gallagher, director of pro-life activities for the Catholic Conference, told the Daily News that, “The decision is a significant victory for those who would be most at risk of abuse and most susceptible to pressure to take their own lives, including the isolated elderly, persons with disabilities and those who are depressed and overcome with hopelessness.”

Carey said for those in opposition, the bill doesn’t affect people who don’t believe in medical aid of death. She noted that “it is something that the patient has to ask for.”

The first state to pass the Medical Aid in Dying Act was Oregon in 1994 through a voted referendum. Since then, California, Colorado, Washington, D.C., Vermont and Washington have gained Death with Dignity statutes.


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