Tru here. Edmonton Journal Link to article of August 20, 2014: Dead at noon: B.C. woman ends her life rather than suffer indignity of dementia (with video).
I have heard talk that in many countries suicide will be EXPECTED for those with disabilities (especially dementia) in the future, exactly because of the reasons Gillian discusses in the website she prepared; to spare the “meaningless care of a mindless body” and “wasteful expense” to a society that is financially responsible for her maintenance. Thus her statements are disturbing to me as the reflection of a possible step in that direction. Public expectation can be deadly.
It also seems obvious that to this woman we as fellow Persons With Dementia have no remaining value either.
In the news article it says she did not want to be a “carcass,” physically alive but “with no one inside.” On my grandmother’s deathbed, she didn’t recognize me but she knew that whomever I was, I loved her. She could no longer speak but her eyes reflected my love as she looked at me and squeezed my hand. She was surrounded by those who loved her and she knew it. Even in those last days she was VERY valuable! I am sad that Gillian did not recognize herself as valuable.
Some valuable comments are attached so check them out.
* Admin issues: SHARE dementia awareness thru buttons below. If interested in receiving notice of future blog postings there is a “follow” button in the upper left corner (MS Explorer) or lower right (Safari and Chrome). Feel free to leave your thoughts in the form of comments, but please filter your comments with truthful loving kindness to all concerned. If there is an advertisement below, I have no control over what is shown. — Full legal name Truthful Loving Kindness copyright on 2014-08/20.
// <![CDATA[
(function () { document.write(“”);} () )
// ]]>
Healthline
Truthful Loving Kindness 
Hello … again and again these very sad decisions are made by people who believe in myths and stigmas more than in fellow people with dementia – I think a defining part of this happening is the lack of opportunities for folks with a diagnosis of dementia to meet and learn from each other and supporting each other to live purposeful lives, become friends and feel appreciated and loved. It upsets me every time when people who could have been role models just disappear behind walls after the diagnosis. It’s so wrong!!! Tina
PS. By the way, Alex was almost 78 when he passed away, and we have been connected, communicating and loving to his last day on earth. He stayed at home until he needed hospital, REHAB and hospice care (for the last about ten weeks). I was impressed by nurses and carers who treated us as a loving couple and did every thing they could to let us feel, Alex was still perceived as a human being, worth to live well, loved and appreciated. These Florida folks were awesome!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I appreciate your thoughts and you taking the time to write them here. THANK YOU!
LikeLike
I have to agree with you Truthful. My mother was there to the end and my error was in not realizing HOW there she was, and treating her as if she wasn’t. I was almost too late. DAI’s vision is A world where a person with dementia continues to be fully valued. But really it’s up to the person to decide.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Laura. A wise person said, “If all the media, marketing and organizations involved in working with people with the disease teach that the person with dementia will have no value in the end, (won’t know what’s going on, etc.) then that’s what decisions like these are based on.” I think that someone was right. 😀 Thank you for your comment.
LikeLike
How very sad. I must confess I would be tempted to go a similar route (though whether I could, I don’t know!), not because I think people with dementia have any less value, but that indignity – from whatever source – is something I have feared all my life… But it would not be as a slight on people who fight on, or any form of statement that Persons with Dementia, who are worthy of as much love, rights and humanity as anyone.
LikeLike
Thank you for your sensitive comment. Everyone’s opinion is important. 🙂
LikeLike