YOU’RE INVITED TO MY CELEBRATION
This marks the official end of my 90th birthday celebration. Please help me celebrate #91.
All I want for my birthday is for EVERYONE in the State of California to know of the legal right to Medical Aid in Dying. Easy peasy present for you to give me and everyone you know and love in California! (And/or 10 other states, more on that below.)
SUCH A CRITICAL HUMAN RIGHT, AND WE DON’T KNOW WE HAVE IT?
Before the California End of Life Option Act took effect, on June 9, 2016 (another birthday to celebrate!) I spent a good 5 or 10 years of my life working to make it happen. Pulling on yellow T-shirts, roaming around Sacramento, the whole activist thing. Gov Jerry Brown signed it into law, said he “couldn’t deny (Californians) the right.”
AT LEAST EVERYBODY SHOULD KNOW WE HAVE THIS RIGHT, RIGHT? A mere 25% of the good citizens of California even know such a right exists. Please help change that statistic.
My favorite California nonprofit, End of Life Choices CA, helps people know & understand all of their legal end-of-life options. (Among a LOT of other good works.) Other states, in addition to Washington DC, where MAiD is legal are Maine, New Jersey, Vermont, New Mexico, Montana, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, California, and Hawaii. Maybe you want to help some of them know their rights!
Meanwhile, for my birthday this year, please visit our website, send the link to a friend or two (or 3 or 4,) post a note about the CA End of Life Option Act on Instagram. Facebook. X or whatever it is now. Tik Tok if you’re that savvy. Spread the good word is all I’m asking.. . but you’re welcome to Like our FaceBook Page, Join our Volunteer Team, Invite us to speak to a community group or donate. Donations are always welcome, even when it’s not my birthday.
Thank you Fran for your very timely and important message. Sadly we are at an age where we’re going to more funerals/celebration of life events. Nothing more sobering than to lose a close friend or relative that you’ve known for ages. I will share your message with my peep’s – Happy 91st! Jane H
Thanks, Jane. I know what you mean about the increase in losses, but I think one way to celebrate them is to celebrate life. I surely see you doing that! ❤️🙏❤️
hi Fran, I was moved by your article about Wright to death, and I had to comment by including an anecdote about a personal connection to death and dying. Had a beautiful autumn afternoon in the town where I practiced for 40 years, I sat with a group of colleagues One, a general surgeon, one a cardiovascular surgeon and one an invasive cardiologist. The ladder had advanced case of ALS. It was agreed that we were too fond of this band to allow him further suffering. One of us had arranged to pick up some medication at a local pharmacy and allow our friend to decide when and where to use it. We had a party which included stoned crabs, one of his favorites. A few beers, some good bourbon and some good laughs. When the group broke up, I drove back to Kansas City, where I was living in support of my grandchildren. Bob died a few days later. None of the others present felt any guilt because in our hearts and in our souls, we knew we had done the right thing.
Belated hello, and thanks, Phil! I know that had to have been not an easy time for you and your buddies, but surely the kindest deed and most generous gift you could give. We (EOLCCA) fairly often work with ALS patients, it being legal in CA to self-administer in several ways you would know. One reason I work hard for this good organization, and stay on this soapbox, is my belief that Medical Aid in Dying should really be a right available to all Americans. Not going to happen in my lifetime . . . but still. Love & cheers to you & your gorgeous wife.