Category Archives: Euthanasia

Vicky Phelan, the terminally ill cervical cancer campaigner, has urged politicians to pass legislation to give people like her the option to be medically assisted to die. She justifies this request by appealing to the right of a terminally ill person to end their suffering.

Vicky Phelans last wish to the Irish State will be met by predictable resistance, by many of our politicians and a sizable section of the public more broadly. Securing justice is always an uphill battle, and no one knows this more than Vicky Phelan.

Even if Vicky Phelan is successful in this campaign for justice for terminally ill people, it is unlikely that she will benefit from it herself. Moral progress moves at a snail's pace in Ireland, and time is not on her side, as she knows only too well. But that is inconsequential; Vicky Phelans latest campaign is in keeping with her immense commitment to civic duty, public spiritedness, and indomitable sense of justice.

Before going any further, it is imperative to clarify a key point: euthanasia is not a disability issue.

In seeking assisted suicide, a person who is terminally ill is not trying to escape their disability. Instead, this is a debate about the right to choose in the face of death.

It is also about fundamental equality: someone who is terminally ill has a right to be treated as a moral agent on a par with every other person in society.

To be an agent, or to have agency, is to have the capacity to make choices. This is the essence of our personal autonomy. There is nothing more disrespectful to a person than to have their ability to choose being taken away from them, or to be impeded from exercising their self-rule.

Another way of expressing the same idea is that there is nothing more empowering than the ability to make a choice about oneself, about ones own life. It is our duty, as a society, to empower people, and that includes those who are terminally ill. Perhaps especially them.

In certain circumstances and under specific conditions, being able to choose when to terminate our life is to make a statement about our autonomy, our moral agency, our self-respect.

Oxford Philosopher Joseph Raz famously defined autonomy in terms of being the author of our own life. Authors write books. Think of your life as a novel, part historical and part fiction perhaps. Your autonomy is what makes it a book about you, it is your book.

The ability to make choices is pivotal to making our life-book our own original, unique work of art. All books must end. As any author knows the ending of a book is crucial to the success of the book, often the most memorable chapter of our magnum opus.

As American philosopher Ronald Dworkin says referring to euthanasia, none of us wants to end our lives out of character; we want the last chapter of our life to be consistent with all the previous chapters. How we die matters to us because we want to retain control over our life, all of it, until the last moment. The ending of any story should be congruent to what came before.

For those like Vicky Phelan tragically forced to contemplate assisted suicide, some of the most pressing issues are about being themselves until the end, and not be forced to write the last few pages of their book out of character.

They want to maintain their dignity. They want to be remembered in a certain way, and not in the condition they find themselves in. They dont want to be degraded into becoming the object of continuing anguish.

French philosopher Michel de Montaigne, writing in the 16th century, encouraged us to face death head-on, without fear. Today a terminally ill person like Vicky Phelan is being denied the vital character-defining moment of being able to choose when to end her suffering.

Death is the last chapter of our life-book, and we want to be ourselves, and maintain our character, until the very end. This is the reason why euthanasia under certain conditions ought to be a choice.

To impede or obstruct this choice is to take away someones dignity, to subtract someones autonomy, and ultimately to disrespect their moral agency.

That cannot be right. It would have been inconceivable to force Tolstoy to write a different ending to Anna Karenina, and similarly it is wrong to deny a terminally ill person authorship of the last chapter of their life.

After the divorce referendum, the same-sex marriage referendum, and the abortion referendum, assisted suicide for the terminally ill is the next chapter in Irelands unfolding history. Exactly what will be written in these pages will shape the future of Irelands own life-book.

Read the original:

Vicky Phelan and the right of terminally ill people to end their suffering - Irish Examiner

Indian J Med Res. 2012 Dec; 136(6): 899902.

Department of Psychiatry National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences (Deemed University) Bangalore 560 029, India

Department of Psychiatry National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences (Deemed University) Bangalore 560 029, India

Department of Psychiatry National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences (Deemed University) Bangalore 560 029, India

This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

The word euthanasia, originated in Greece means a good death1. Euthanasia encompasses various dimensions, from active (introducing something to cause death) to passive (withholding treatment or supportive measures); voluntary (consent) to involuntary (consent from guardian) and physician assisted (where physician's prescribe the medicine and patient or the third party administers the medication to cause death)2,3. Request for premature ending of life has contributed to the debate about the role of such practices in contemporary health care. This debate cuts across complex and dynamic aspects such as, legal, ethical, human rights, health, religious, economic, spiritual, social and cultural aspects of the civilised society. Here we argue this complex issue from both the supporters and opponents perspectives, and also attempts to present the plight of the sufferers and their caregivers. The objective is to discuss the subject of euthanasia from the medical and human rights perspective given the background of the recent Supreme Court judgement3 in this context.

In India abetment of suicide and attempt to suicide are both criminal offences. In 1994, constitutional validity of Indian Penal Code Section (IPC Sec) 309 was challenged in the Supreme Court4. The Supreme Court declared that IPC Sec 309 is unconstitutional, under Article 21 (Right to Life) of the constitution in a landmark judgement4. In 1996, an interesting case of abetment of commission of suicide (IPC Sec 306) came to Supreme Court5. The accused were convicted in the trial court and later the conviction was upheld by the High Court. They appealed to the Supreme Court and contended that right to die be included in Article 21 of the Constitution and any person abetting the commission of suicide by anyone is merely assisting in the enforcement of the fundamental right under Article 21; hence their punishment is violation of Article 21. This made the Supreme Court to rethink and to reconsider the decision of right to die. Immediately the matter was referred to a Constitution Bench of the Indian Supreme Court. The Court held that the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution does not include the right to die5.

Regarding suicide, the Supreme Court reconsidered its decision on suicide. Abetment of suicide (IPC Sec 306) and attempt to suicide (IPC Sec 309) are two distinct offences, hence Section 306 can survive independent of Section 309. It has also clearly stated that a person attempts suicide in a depression, and hence he needs help, rather than punishment. Therefore, the Supreme Court has recommended to Parliament to consider the feasibility of deleting Section 309 from the Indian Penal Code3.

Eliminating the invalid: Euthanasia opposers argue that if we embrace the right to death with dignity, people with incurable and debilitating illnesses will be disposed from our civilised society. The practice of palliative care counters this view, as palliative care would provide relief from distressing symptoms and pain, and support to the patient as well as the care giver. Palliative care is an active, compassionate and creative care for the dying6.

Constitution of India: Right to life is a natural right embodied in Article 21 but suicide is an unnatural termination or extinction of life and, therefore, incompatible and inconsistent with the concept of right to life. It is the duty of the State to protect life and the physician's duty to provide care and not to harm patients. If euthanasia is legalised, then there is a grave apprehension that the State may refuse to invest in health (working towards Right to life). Legalised euthanasia has led to a severe decline in the quality of care for terminally-ill patients in Holland7. Hence, in a welfare state there should not be any role of euthanasia in any form.

Symptom of mental illness: Attempts to suicide or completed suicide are commonly seen in patients suffering from depression8, schizophrenia9 and substance users10. It is also documented in patients suffering from obsessive compulsive disorder11. Hence, it is essential to assess the mental status of the individual seeking for euthanasia. In classical teaching, attempt to suicide is a psychiatric emergency and it is considered as a desperate call for help or assistance. Several guidelines have been formulated for management of suicidal patients in psychiatry12. Hence, attempted suicide is considered as a sign of mental illness13.

Malafide intention: In the era of declining morality and justice, there is a possibility of misusing euthanasia by family members or relatives for inheriting the property of the patient. The Supreme Court has also raised this issue in the recent judgement3. Mercy killing should not lead to killing mercy in the hands of the noble medical professionals. Hence, to keep control over the medical professionals, the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002 discusses euthanasia briefly in Chapter 6, Section 6.7 and it is in accordance with the provisions of the Transplantation of Human Organ Act, 199414. There is an urgent need to protect patients and also medical practitioners caring the terminally ill patients from unnecessary lawsuit. Law commission had submitted a report (no-196) to the government on this issue15.

Emphasis on care: Earlier majority of them died before they reached the hospital but now it is converse. Now sciences had advanced to the extent, life can be prolonged but not to that extent of bringing back the dead one. This phenomenon has raised a complex situation. Earlier diseases outcome was discussed in terms of CURE but in the contemporary world of diseases such as cancer, Aids, diabetes, hypertension and mental illness are debated in terms best CARE, since cure is distant. The principle is to add life to years rather than years to life with a good quality palliative care. The intention is to provide care when cure is not possible by low cost methods. The expectation of society is, cure from the health professionals, but the role of medical professionals is to provide care. Hence, euthanasia for no cure illness does not have a logical argument. Whenever, there is no cure, the society and medical professionals become frustrated and the fellow citizen take extreme measures such as suicide, euthanasia or substance use. In such situations, palliative and rehabilitative care comes to the rescue of the patient and the family. At times, doctors do suggest to the family members to have the patient discharged from the hospital wait for death to come, if the family or patient so desires. Various reasons are quoted for such decisions, such as poverty, non-availability of bed, futile intervention, resources can be utilised for other patients where cure is possible and unfortunately majority of our patient's family do accordingly. Many of the terminally ill patients prefer to die at home, with or without any proper terminal health care. The societal perception needs to be altered and also the medical professionals need to focus on care rather in addition to just cure. The motive for many euthanasia requests is unawareness of alternatives. Patients hear from their doctors that nothing can be done anymore. However, when patients hear that a lot can be done through palliative care, that the symptoms can be controlled, now and in the future, many do not want euthanasia anymore16.

Commercialisation of health care: Passive euthanasia occurs in majority of the hospitals across the county, where poor patients and their family members refuse or withdraw treatment because of the huge cost involved in keeping them alive. If euthanasia is legalised, then commercial health sector will serve death sentence to many disabled and elderly citizens of India for meagre amount of money. This has been highlighted in the Supreme Court Judgement3,17.

Research has revealed that many terminally ill patients requesting euthanasia, have major depression, and that the desire for death in terminal patients is correlated with the depression18. In Indian setting also, strong desire for death was reported by 3 of the 191 advanced cancer patients, and these had severe depression19. They need palliative and rehabilitative care. They want to be looked after by enthusiastic, compassionate and humanistic team of health professionals and the complete expenses need to be borne by the State so that Right to life becomes a reality and succeeds before Right to death with dignity. Palliative care actually provides death with dignity and a death considered good by the patient and the care givers.

Caregivers burden: Right-to-die supporters argue that people who have an incurable, degenerative, disabling or debilitating condition should be allowed to die in dignity. This argument is further defended for those, who have chronic debilitating illness even though it is not terminal such as severe mental illness. Majority of such petitions are filed by the sufferers or family members or their caretakers. The caregiver's burden is huge and cuts across various domains such as financial, emotional, time, physical, mental and social. Hence, it is uncommon to hear requests from the family members of the person with psychiatric illness to give some poison either to patient or else to them. Coupled with the States inefficiency, apathy and no investment on health is mockery of the Right to life.

Refusing care: Right to refuse medical treatment is well recognised in law, including medical treatment that sustains or prolongs life. For example, a patient suffering from blood cancer can refuse treatment or deny feeds through nasogastric tube. Recognition of right to refuse treatment gives a way for passive euthanasia. Many do argue that allowing medical termination of pregnancy before 16 wk is also a form of active involuntary euthanasia. This issue of mercy killing of deformed babies has already been in discussion in Holland20.

Right to die: Many patients in a persistent vegetative state or else in chronic illness, do not want to be a burden on their family members. Euthanasia can be considered as a way to upheld the Right to life by honouring Right to die with dignity.

Encouraging the organ transplantation: Euthanasia in terminally ill patients provides an opportunity to advocate for organ donation. This in turn will help many patients with organ failure waiting for transplantation. Not only euthanasia gives Right to die for the terminally ill, but also Right to life for the organ needy patients.

Constitution of India reads right to life is in positive direction of protecting life. Hence, there is an urgent need to fulfil this obligation of Right to life by providing food, safe drinking water and health care. On the contrary, the state does not own the responsibility of promoting, protecting and fulfilling the socio-economic rights such as right to food, right to water, right to education and right to health care, which are basic essential ingredients of right to life. Till date, most of the States has not done anything to support the terminally ill people by providing for hospice care.

If the State takes the responsibility of providing reasonable degree of health care, then majority of the euthanasia supporters will definitely reconsider their argument. We do endorse the Supreme Court Judgement that our contemporary society and public health system is not matured enough to handle this sensitive issue, hence it needs to be withheld. However, this issue needs to be re-examined again after few years depending upon the evolution of the society with regard to providing health care to the disabled and public health sector with regard to providing health care to poor people.

The Supreme Court judgement to withhold decision on this sensitive issue is a first step towards a new era of health care in terminally ill patients. The Judgment laid down is to preserve harmony within a society, when faced with a complex medical, social and legal dilemma. There is a need to enact a legislation to protect terminally ill patients and also medical practitioners caring for them as per the recommendation of Law Commission Report-19615. There is also an urgent need to invest in our health care system, so that poor people suffering from ill health can access free health care. Investment in health care is not a charity; Right to Health is bestowed under Right to Life of our constitution.

See the original post:

Euthanasia: Right to life vs right to die

While it may be the hardest decision you have to make, the quality of your pet's live should always be the central issue. As part of our commitment to the human-animal bond, we offer quality of life and pain assessment exams to help in making a euthanasia decision.

Euthanasia is a very personal experience and those last moments should be private and comfortable in your stress-free home environment. The goal of CCVS is to provide peace of mind to families and make the experience as peaceful as possible for both you and your pet. We also will provide reassurancethat this is the best decision for their pet.

Not to hurt our humble brethren (the animals) is our first duty to them, but to stop there is not enough. We have a higher mission to be of service to them whenever they require it. --St. Francis of Assisi

Please call for a consultation to discuss your needs and options. We can discuss where the procedure will take place, who will be there, etc. This is your time to express any concerns and make any special requests.

Click here for additional resources such as pet crematories and grief counselors.

In Loving Memory of :

Goldie and Dewey

Link:

Compassionate Care Veterinary Service - In-Home Euthanasia

The word euthanasia was first used in the early 17th century to indicate an easy death, having originated from the Greek eu (well) and thanatos (death). We all dread the day we will lose a special horse, but the opportunity to make the transition easy can bring peace in a tragic situation.

The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Guidelines for Equine Euthanasia are available at aaep.org/euthanasia-guidelines. These not only guide veterinarians on how to euthanize a horse but also when. The criteria provided can assist you in making the difficult decision to say goodbye to your beloved animal.

Having the option to euthanize is a special gift, but deciding whether to do so can be extremely difficult. By objectively reviewing the guidelines with your veterinarian, you can determine if your animal has a good quality of life, a life worth living. A delayed death is a welfare concern if he or she is in pain or suffering from an unmanageable condition. The goal is to be on the lookout for signs from your horse that euthanasia is the most humane This story requires a subscription to The Horse magazine.

Current magazine subscribers can click here to login and continue reading.

Billed as $15/annually*

We at The Horse work to provide you with the latest and most reliable news and information on equine health, care, management, and welfare through our magazine and TheHorse.com. Our explanatory journalism provides an understandable resource on important and sometimes complex health issues. Your subscription will help The Horse continue to offer this vital resource to horse owners of all breeds, disciplines, and experience levels.

*Discounted subscription rate valid for delivery to U.S. addresses or digital delivery. One-year (12 issues) subscription billed as a one-time payment of $15. For print delivery rates outside of the U.S., click here.

PARTNERS IN EQUINE HEALTH

Privacy & Cookies Policy

You need to be logged in to fill out this form

More:

What Owners Need to Know About Equine Euthanasia The Horse - TheHorse.com

Victorian man Colin Stratton would have done absolutely anything for his family.

But after a lengthy battle against aggressive bowel cancer robbed him of the ability to do the things he loved, he asked his family to do something for him, the Victorian supreme court heard on Thursday.

Just a few days shy of his 81st birthday, Stratton decided he was ready to die.

He had seen his wife of 50 years, Suzanne, spend the final years of her life disabled and requiring high-level care after a stroke, prompting both of them to support voluntary euthanasia and join the Dying with Dignity organisation.

The court heard that on 24 May this year, Stratton went to a GP and asked for a suicide pill. Dying on his own terms was something he had wanted for a long time, so she wasnt surprised.

But when the doctor told him the paperwork would take up to two weeks, Stratton decided hed do it himself.

Stratton left the clinic with his 54-year-old son Glenn Stratton. When they arrived at his home near Castlemaine, in central Victoria, he asked Glenn to get a .22-calibre rifle and bullet from his shed. Glenn protested, but finally agreed when his father said he would do it himself.

Glenn collected the weapon and loaded it, giving it to his father. But because of the length of the rifle, his father could not reach its trigger while it was pointed at his head.

Dont make me make a bloody mess of it, I cant do it by myself, Stratton told the middle of his three children, the court heard.

He started counting again. Glenn told him he loved him. His father replied likewise. When the count reached one, Stratton closed his eyes, and Glenn pulled the trigger.

The psychological pressure on you must have been enormous, the Victorian supreme court Justice Elizabeth Hollingworth said to Glenn on Thursday.

She said Stratton had always been there when his family needed him and in return they would have done anything for him.

You finally pulled the trigger spontaneously out of love and respect for his wishes, Hollingworth said.

Sign up to receive the top stories from Guardian Australia every morning

His family are highly supportive of him and his actions. In statements supporting Glenn they described their love and admiration for the senior Stratton, who was an important and influential person in their lives.

They also understand how important it was for him to be able to end his life on his own terms when the pain and burden of illness became too great for him, Hollingworth said.

They describe your actions in helping your father achieve his wish as loving, courageous and selfless.

Thank you for your feedback.

Glenn confessed his actions to police and was initially charged with murder.

He spent 46 days behind bars, missing his fathers funeral.

He pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting his fathers suicide.

Hollingworth said there would be no benefit to him or society to jail him further for his actions.

She convicted him and ordered him instead to undergo counselling.

Strattons family say they hope voluntary euthanasia will become more accessible so other families dont have to go through what they have.

In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is at 800-273-8255 or chat for support. You can also text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis text line counselor. Other international helplines can be found at http://www.befrienders.org

Go here to read the rest:

Victorian man assisted sick fathers suicide out of love and respect for his wishes, judge says - The Guardian

Treasure Coast Newspapers

A Nov. 11 article concerning the Sunrise Humane Society, mentioned Dogs & Cats Forever (D&CF) among its community partnerships.

I would like to clarify that D&CF does not receive funds from nor give funds to any other shelters. While we applaud any and all efforts made on behalf of homeless animals in St. Lucie County, our funding does not and never has come from local municipalities unlike funding for Sunrise Humane Society. We are a privately-funded shelter which operates on donations. We do not have a contract with local municipalities to take in animals, and therefore, we are not forced to euthanize for space.

We welcome any efforts regarding the sheltering and care of homeless animals in St. Lucie, however, until lawmakers enact legislation mandating spay and neuter of all companion animals, and put an end to backyard breeding, the massive pet overpopulation problem we have will continue to be out of control.

There are not enough adoptive homes to care for all of the homeless animals in Saint Lucie County. More shelters are not the answer-nor is mass euthanasia. The only real solution is mandatory spay and neuter and taxpayers who bear the burden of pet overpopulation should demand such legislation.

Johanna Apicella, Port St. Lucie, is the executive director of Dogs & Cats Forever.

In June the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus was much more transmissible than Alpha. Shortly thereafter Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered daily figures stopped. Fortunately the figures were still being reported to the CDC but the figures were difficult to find. Then the COVID-19 figures started exploding.

Two days were reported at once in August, showing 28,000-plus cases reported to the CDC and 100-plus deaths each day, a jump from prior days. DeSantis had made an announcement on the day those figures were reported that any school administrator that required children or staff to wear masks would have their salaries withheld.

Later DeSantis and the Florida Department of Health said the CDC got the figures wrong. The CDC did not admit an error but the figures did change. The next day Florida changed how they reported figures to the CDC. Now instead of recording whatever was reported that day, they backdated the figures to the date they happened. The number of cases was exploding so the new way of reporting didn't affect cases too much, but it did affect deaths. Instead of 100-plusdeaths a day we had some days none, or as manyas 10 or 20. However if you kept track of the difference in total figures each day we reached a high of 419 toward the end of August.

DeSantis has demonstrated that he cares more for downplaying the severity of the problem rather than give his constituents the information that will enable them to protect themselves and their families. This disease seems to come in waves and we are told a variant is on the horizon that is more transmissible. How will we know that we have the needed information to take precautions?

Jo Fuller, Port St. Lucie

I want to thank you for the letters you have been publishing over the last few months.

Most of them have been really well-written, articulate, and informative. I have even appreciated the letters that do not represent my perspective because they have provided information that I may not have been aware of otherwise. Of course, there are still the letters with a litany of "facts" repeated from some news network or radio station. I have been able to overlook those letters due to the excellent letters that you have been publishing. Keep it up, I enjoy reading well written letters sharing a range of opinions. It makes my life more balanced. Thank you.

Judith Lorenzo, Sebastian

I must admit that it boggles my mind how so many people are not complaining about Joe Bidens lack of job performance.

Such things as:

Gasoline prices are high due to the pandemic causing limiting of production. It couldnt be canceling construction of the Keystone XL pipeline, or asking for high-priced oil from our "questionable friends" from Saudi Arabia.

Believing the propaganda that our immigration rate has decreased by 50%. I guess illegal immigrants do not figure into that math calculation.

Sure there is a worker shortage. That is only due to paying out our tax dollars as COVID-19 payments so that some folks would rather stay home than do an honest days work.

Do we really believe that the supply-chain problem is due to China curtailing manufacturing problems and a shortage of electricity? Doubtful.

I guess that those people think The Man in the High Castle is history, rather than fiction that WWII was won by Germany and Japan, rather than the United States and its allies. All they need to do is take a walk back through the Portal and see how we prospered during the last administration. The current move toward socialism can be halted by using our voting rights in 2022.

Ray Mancari, Vero Beach

See original here:

Letters to the Editor: Dec. 9, 2021 - TCPalm

A Celtic Christmas Friday

Immerse yourself in Tomaseen Foleys A Celtic Christmas, hosted by Beaches Fine Arts Series on Friday at St. Pauls by-the-Sea Episcopal Church.

Now in its 26th season of touring nationally,"A Celtic Christmas"recreates the joy and innocence of a night before Christmas. Set in a remote farmhouse in Teampall an Ghleanntin in western Ireland in the 1950s, youll watch as neighboring families gather around the fire to grace the wintry night with traditional Irish Christmas carols, raise the rafters with joyous music, knock sparks off the flagstone floor with traditional dances and fill the night with the laughter of their stories.

The evening also includes an art exhibit by Annelies Dykgraaf.

Admission is free and seating is first come, first served. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. and the performance begins at 7:30 p.m. Masks are required as protocol of the venue.

The church is located at 465 11th Ave. N. in Jacksonville Beach. For more information and a complete schedule of events, visit BeachesFineArts.org.

Beaches Fine Arts Series and St. Augustine Music Festival present concert pianist Mara Dolores Gaitn as part of the 1781 Tribute on Saturday at Flagler College.

An international collaboration, 1781 Tribute celebrates 240 years of friendship and cooperation between Spain and the United States. This global tour of eight concerts began this summer in Spain and continues this month with appearances in St. Petersburg and Pensacola, culminating in St. Augustine.

Gaitn is renowned in Europe for her energy and interpretive musicality. She was chosen byEuropean Union National Institutes for Cultureas a representative of Spanish musical culture in Italy, and has performed throughout Europe. The program will consist of Spanish composers of the ages.

Special guest Nicols Tovar, five-time Latin Grammy winner and current nominee, will also perform.

Doors open at 6:45 p.m. and the free concert begins at 7:30 p.m. in the colleges Lewis Auditorium, 14 Granada St., St. Augustine. The city will provide free transportation to the event from a shuttle site at Broudys Fine Wine & Spirits, 35 N. Ponce De Leon Blvd.

For more information, visit BeachesFineArts.org.

Atlantic Beach Songwriters Night, hosted by local singer/songwriter Roy Peak, is a free, family-friendly event that takes place Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Adele Grage Cultural Center. The public is invited to perform original material (no covers) or come just to enjoy the music in an alcohol-free environment.

The center is located at 716 Ocean Blvd. Interested performers should email Roy at atlanticbeachmusic@gmail.com.

Help a furry friend find a new home for the holidays on Saturday, Dec. 18, when SAFE Pet Rescue of St. Augustine brings its mobile adoption van to the Ponte Vedra Pet Supermarket store, 880 A1A N.

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., there will be lots of fun festivities to enjoy. Take your pets picture with Santa, enjoy some live holiday music by a local guitarist, sample tasty treats at the bake sale, browse some crafty items, sip hot cocoa and best of all meet and greet our wonderful rescue dogs, who hope you will choose one of them to be part of your family this holiday season.

Invite your family, friends and neighbors to these dogs some much needed love while supporting SAFE Pet Rescue in its mission save animals from euthanasia. To learn more, go to Safe-Pet-Rescue-FL.com.

All aboard the Holiday Express Trains, which return to the Beaches Branch Library on Saturday, Dec. 18.

Leading off this years opening day will be the Hogwarts Express along with the Polar Express. The Polar Express will be running most days along with other historic trains and/or holiday-oriented trains varying throughout the week. This years expanded layout also includes a Polar Express village at one end and an operating carnival at the other end.

The library is located at 600 Third St., Neptune Beach, and the exhibit runs through Friday, Dec. 31. For hours of operation or more information, visit the Locations page at JaxPublicLibrary.org or call (904) 255-2665.

Discover 21 uniquely decorated trees, each with a distinct theme, at this special after-hours event at the St. Augustine Lighthouse, which takes place on select days through Friday, Jan. 21, 2022. Visitors may explore the Keepers House and grounds illuminated by lights and festive garlands, as well as a sensational view of the lighthouses night mark.

Tickets are $19.95 for adults, $17.95 for children ages 12 and under. For more information regarding ticket availability and pricing, visit StAugustineLighthouse.org.

Want more shade in your yard? Atlantic Beachs newly updated Chapter 23 of the Code of Ordinances expands the use of tree-conservation funds to plant trees in front yards on private property. These "Adopt-a-Tree" funds come from property owners who pay into the tree-conservation fund, which is earmarked to expand the public tree canopy.

In an effort to evenly distribute the tree-conservation funds, two trees per calendar year, per property may be planted. The plantings will occur in the spring and fall. Once planted, the property owner is responsible for maintaining the trees.

Go to https://bit.ly/3pfGKQM to complete an application for a free tree. City staff will review your requested tree location to determine if there are any site restrictions, which could include overhead or underground utilities, drainage areas and swales, easements, existing tree canopy, etc.

For information, email trees@coab.us.

Submit events to shorelines@jacksonville.com.

See the original post here:

Pet adoptions, a piano concert and free trees. Things to do in and around the Beaches - The Florida Times-Union

Tribune columnist Patsy McGarry says he'll go abroad to end it all if he gets Alzheimer's

OUR beloved mother died on June 1 last. She was 92 and wouldve been 93 had she survived until her birthday on August 24. Over recent years she had Alzheimers, a relatively mild form which mainly affected her short-term memory, but she recognised us family up to weeks before she died. Even in those latter, dimmer days, there were regular flashes of recognition.

She had been in a nursing home for three years, since 2018. She would have hated it. Her final two weeks were hell on earth for her and those of us looking on. She was distressed and in great pain, eased by a wonderful staff as far as possible.

None of this was unforeseen either by her or by us. A nurse before she got married, she knew what might be ahead. She had also been a regular visitor to the nursing home, where her own sister had died in 2000, as well as other relatives and friends.

Frequently in conversations afterwards, as she recalled the various conditions of decrepitude of some residents there, she would say to us sure ye wont ever let me go like that. This was not just off-the-cuff wishful thinking on her part. She could see no purpose in prolonging a life where the quality had disappeared, including her own. A down-to-earth no-nonsense woman, she knew what she was saying. So did we.

But, there was nothing we could do about it when it came to the crunch where her own life was concerned, as she and we struggled through those hellish weeks last May with their inevitable conclusion clear to us all long before it happened.

Another resident in that nursing home over recent years was a man we remembered from our childhood as a big, genial presence in every sense of those words whose sons would be of an age with and good friends of ours. For years before his death he sat shrunken into a husk in the nursing home, withered to bone with no awareness and endlessly clapping his two bony hands together.

It was clear that everyone involved with him, his carers and family, were putting in the time awaiting the end if not actually wishing for it where this poor man was concerned. The man I knew as a child would have been outraged had he foreseen his own helplessness, there bereft of all dignity before all and sundry. He would have been deeply humiliated. As difficult for him would be the realisation that his family would witness this day-in, day-out before merciful death stopped by.

Personally, I have no wish to spend my last days a prisoner of Alzheimers and have, like my mother, told family dont ever let me go like that. I know, as Irish law is at the moment, that there is little they will be able to do about that either. So I tell them that at the first hint of the disease, I am off to where I can take care of things myself. And as more and more countries legalise euthanasia my choice just gets greater year after year.

With an increasing number of us developing Alzheimers as we live longer, I doubt I am alone in thinking along these lines. The same applies to people with other incurable diseases. Why should anyone be forced to suffer on, just to accommodate the consciences of those who disagree?

And they are out there as vociferously opposed to euthanasia as they were to contraception, divorce, same sex marriage, abortion. What gives these people a 'right' to insist the rest of us should be obliged by law to live by their beliefs whatever we may believe themselves?

Why cant they be content with living in a country where they are free, without impediment, to live by their own beliefs? No one insists that they live contrary to those beliefs and be forced to use contraceptives, divorce, enter a same sex marriage, or have an abortion.

Why should cervical cancer sufferer Vicky Phelan, now in the final stages of that disease, be forced to suffer on because someone else believes she should? As she said in a weekend Sunday Times interview: Just because you believe something for your own reasons, whether theyre religious or other, you shouldnt be imposing your beliefs on somebody else.

Nobodys allowed to give you a magic injection to make you go any faster and I dont want to be lingering for my kids, she said. She had seen people die and didnt want her children to witness her death rattle.

In Ireland euthanasia is banned by law not the Constitution and that can be changed by decision of the Dail. Vicky Phelan backed the recent unsuccessful Dying with Dignity Bill when it was introduced there. Around since 2015, when it was introduced in the Dail by the independent Waterford TD John Halligan, its latest sponsor was People Before Profit/Solidarity TD Gino Kenny. His Bill sought to make it legal for a medical practitioner to help a terminally ill person to end their life in a dignified and peaceful way.

Last July however the Oireachtas Justice Committee decided that the Bill was unfit for purpose and could not proceed. Committee chairman, Fianna Fil TD James Lawless, said it had serious technical issues in several sections and that it may have unintended policy consequences. A particular concern was that it lacked sufficient safeguards to protect against undue pressure being put on vulnerable people to avail of assisted dying.

It was recommended that a special Oireachtas committee be set up to examine the topic and report within a specific timeframe, as was used in considering abortion legislation. Nothing has happened since so Gino Kenny is planning to table a new Bill next year, titled the End of Life Choice Bill 2022, which he said would address criticisms made of the earlier Bill.

On November 7 last assisted dying became legal in New Zealand following a referendum last year and will apply to people with less than six months to live.

Spanish legislators voted last March to allow doctor-assisted suicide and euthanasia for long-term patients with terminal illnesses and for people with unbearable permanent conditions. The law came into force there in June, making Spain the sixth country to legalise euthanasia. Other such countries include Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Canada and Colombia. Since 2016 terminally ill patients in France have the right to continuous deep sedation until death.

Frankly, such is the momentum on this issue, nationally and in Europe, it is only a matter of time before assisted dying is available in Ireland.

Assisted dying refers to both voluntary active euthanasia and physician-assisted death. The difference is in the degree of a doctor's involvement. Voluntary active euthanasia involves the doctor playing an active role in the patient's request to die, usually by supplying an intravenous lethal substance.

Doctor-assisted death implies that the medical personnel provides the patient with the lethal means to end it all themselves, meaning it's the patient who employs them.

Passive euthanasia is when a patient suffering from an incurable disease decides not to apply life-prolonging treatments, such as artificial nutrition or hydration. This is not uncommon already in Ireland, as is the practice of refusing treatment which will only prolong, not cure, a terminal illness.

However it's important not to confuse passive euthanasia with withdrawing life-sustaining treatment in the person's best interests. This latter can be part of palliative care and is not necessarily euthanasia.

So, in the awful eventuality that I might succumb to Alzheimers, it may not now be necessary for me to go abroad to end it all.

Original post:

OPINION: Why I'm in favour of euthanasia - Offaly Express

By Catholic News Service Posted November 30, 2021

PARIS (CNS) Archbishop Michel Aupetit of Paris has offered to step down to avoid becoming a source of divisions, after an article in the Le Point weekly claimed he mismanaged his archdiocese and had an affair with a woman while he was vicar general.

Archbishop Aupetit told Frances Catholic La Croix daily Nov. 26 he awaited an answer from Pope Francis, adding that his behavior toward the unnamed woman may have been ambiguous, but had not extended to an intimate relationship and sexual relations.

Archbishop Michel Aupetit of Paris celebrates the annual chrism Mass at historic St. Sulpice Church April 17, 2019. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

Ive put my position in the Holy Fathers hands to preserve the diocese, since I should serve unity as a bishop, the archbishop told La Croix. This is not because of what I should or should not have done in the past, but to avoid division if I myself become a source of division.

In its Nov. 22 report on the archbishops contested methods, Le Point said he had fueled a crisis with a divisive and authoritarian leadership style and had inadvertently revealed his liaison with a woman in a misdirected 2012 email.

The Paris Archdiocese confirmed to Agence France-Presse that there had been no question of a relationship in love or a sexual relationship, adding that Archbishop Aupetits letter to the pope was not an admission of guilt but a gesture of humility.

In a Nov. 27 interview with the archdioceses Radio Notre Dame, Archbishop Aupetit said he had managed the situation badly with a certain person, but had also explained the error to his spiritual adviser and church authorities.

Those who knew me and shared my daily life will testify I did not lead a double life, the archbishop said.

He told Radio Notre Dame he accepted he faced possible rancor for various decisions in the archdiocese, but added that those working with him had been shocked by accusations of negligence in the Le Point report.

Ive found refuge in prayer and the support provided by so many Paris priests, seminarians and faithful, whove brought comfort and enabled me to stay at the helm in the last few days, the archbishop said.

Today, as every day, I place my life in the Lords hands, as Ive done since ordination, hoping he will enable me to continue serving among my brethren.

The Versailles-born archbishop was installed in January 2018 to succeed Cardinal Andre Vingt-Trois, who retired in December 2017.

Frances La Vie weekly said Nov. 26 the archbishop been praised when appointed, but since had gained a reputation as hard man of the bishops conference for his opposition to liberal legislation on abortion, euthanasia and bioethics, as well as for closing down a progressive Catholic pastoral center in Paris in February.

More here:

Paris archbishop denies report, offers to resign to avoid being divisive - CatholicPhilly.com

Liz Habermann hadnt really thought about voluntary euthanasia before her dying son, Rhys, brought it up.

The 17-year-olds sore hip had turned out to be an aggressive Ewings sarcoma, and it was terminal. Rhys suffered through the unimaginable physical and mental trauma of the disease, and the treatments, until one day he said: Just let me die.

Not long after his 19th birthday, doctors said there was nothing more they could do, that the tumours were rampant throughout his body.

We would often talk about it, Habermann says. In the early days hed asked each of us privately what we thought about euthanasia, about voluntary assisted dying.

It wasnt something Id had to think about. Suicide is a tough subject, regardless of the circumstances.

But we said well support him in whatever decisions he makes. There were times wed come home and go to his door, and wonder what wed find. Or wed message him, with our hearts in our throats, [waiting for the response].

Rhys was in palliative care, with a doctor suggesting more treatment even though there was no hope. Rhys, whom his mother describes as deep, caring and fearless, was horrified at the thought. Now an adult, he checked himself out of hospital, and Habermann drove him home to Wudinna, a small town on South Australias Eyre Peninsula.

In the car, Rhys thanked Habermann for everything shed done.

When Rhys got home, we knew what he was going to do, Habermann says.

He had a final hug with Habermann, his dad, Brett, and brother Lewis, while his other siblings were shielded from that final moment.

Rhys, worried about the impact his death would have on his family, recorded a video saying: I believe in my right to die by my own choosing.

The grieving family still had to suffer through an 18-month police investigation.

Rhys died in 2017. Four years later, Habermann joined the battle to have voluntary assisted dying laws passed in SA. After 30 years, 16 unsuccessful attempts, and a concerted battle by advocates, the laws passed in June.

Now Habermanns picking a different battle shes going to run as an independent in the safe Liberal seat of Flinders as SA heads to a March election.

Shes on the local Wudinna District Council, and people started talking to her about standing at first, in the federal seat of Grey, held by Liberal Rowan Ramsey since 2007.

But she settled on the state seat, a Liberal stronghold. She thinks the region has been taken for granted by governments, and plans to change that by ousting the Liberals the sitting MP, Peter Treloar, is set to be replaced by Sam Telfer at the election.

(The ABC reports that SA senator Rex Patrick may run for Grey, sparking speculation that his former colleague Nick Xenophon could return to politics via the empty Senate spot that would leave.)

She meets regularly with other independents as part of the Voices for community group, which includes Warringah MP Zali Steggall, Indis Helen Haines and her predecessor Cathy McGowan, along with a range of hopefuls challenging Coalition-held seats.

Since the family moved to Wudinna 15 years ago to run a bakery known for its vanilla slices and pasties, Habermann has watched the population decline.

The peninsulas rail network was stopped in 2019 after the state government let the lease end. Getting the trains back on track will be one of Habermanns priorities, to reconnect the vast area with the rest of Australia. That lifeblood will help with everything else, she says, such as getting proper health resources Wudinna recently lost its only GP, who cited a lack of support for his resignation.

Treloar holds Flinders on a margin of almost 30%. The electorate, which stretches from Eyre Peninsula to the Western Australia border, has never been held by Labor.

After Rhyss death, Habermann says, meeting the other VAD advocates such as Labor MP Kyam Maher and journalist Lainie Anderson was one of the silver linings.

When people including Marie Shaw QC encouraged her to go into politics, at first she thought there couldnt be anything worse.

Watching the VAD bill being debated left her frustrated with out-of-touch politicians, but when the bill finally passed, she was elated and filled with hope.

Its something I hope will never benefit me, and obviously its too late for Rhys, but so many people will benefit from knowing they have a choice now, she says.

There were so many people involved. When it got passed, it was exciting its exciting that you can actually make change.

If you need help, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, or call 000 in an emergency

Link:

Silver linings: how a grieving mothers fight for voluntary assisted dying in SA inspired a political pursuit - The Guardian