Today, I'd like to have a conversation about something a little controversial: Brittany Maynard.
In case you haven't yet heard about her, she's been in headlines for the past week because she will be voluntarily ending her life on November 1st. This decision was made after Maynard was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer at the age of 29, and given just 6 months to live.
In order to carry out her last wishes, Maynard has uprooted her family from San Francisco, CA to Oregon, one of only 5 states that authorizes death with dignity. Death with dignity is a medical practice in which terminally ill (but mentally competent) patients with 6 months or less to live can request a life-ending medication prescribed by a doctor, which they take when they feel the time is right (you can read more about death with dignity here).
This story has caused great controversy, and even caused another terminally ill patient, Lara Tippetts, to pen an open letter to Maynard, begging her to reconsider. Much of Tippetts argument/advice is centered around how much of her own strength stems from her Christian beliefs, which is understandable; people often turn to their faith when life presents such devastating circumstances as these. And while I want to believe her words come from an earnest place, I can't help but feel that I'm listening to a sermon or television evangelist as I read them, especially as she mentions the recent release of her book. But hey, maybe I've become too cynical or critical of Christians as a whole.
As for my take on this story, Brittany's situation is her own, and we can comment on it all we like, but it likely won't change her mind. I hardly think this decision comes from a place of weakness- there is no way that this was an easy decision for her to make. What she is doing is ensuring that her loved ones aren't burdened with taking care of someone who is too sick or incoherent to make her own choices. She only wants to suffer to a certain point, and I think that should be her right. Some may call her selfish; I call her brave.
The fact that we can't get around is, it's sad. No matter what we say, whether Brittany chooses to go in a timely manner or wait until her body fails her doesn't change the fact that her family & friends will be devastated. The end result is the same, and as much as we like to judge, none of us truly know what we would do unless we were experiencing this first-hand.
I guess the question this leads me to is: is there a "better" way to die?
Please feel free to voice your opinion on this story in the comments section, and if you'd like to donate to the Brittany Maynard fund, please do so here.
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