X-Message-Number: 4554
From:  (David Stodolsky)
Subject: Fwd: [ (John Hofsess)]A Chosen Death (Part II)
Date: Mon, 26 Jun 95 15:20:09 +0200 (CET DST)

Forward of article <> () by  (John Hofsess):
From:  (John Hofsess)
Newsgroups: sci.med.aids
Subject: A Chosen Death (Part II)
Date: 25 Jun 1995 15:12:51 -0500

I would like to thank Brian (Sydney, Australia) for his thoughtful
response to my original post concerning the Web site, DeathNET
(http://www.islandnet.com/~deathnet).
I am pleased to report that, in the interval, DeathNET was named "Best
Health/Medical Site" at the 1995 Canadian Internet Awards. (Yahoo won
"Best International Site" so we are in good company).

The basic question which Brian raised was: what does DeathNET have to
offer People (living) with AIDS?  A secondary question was: doesn't
thinking about death (and planning for it) encourage PWAs to "give up" -
and perhaps weaken the struggle for an AIDS cure?

Let me begin by referring to a book which we distribute - "Euthanasia,
Assisted Suicide and AIDS" by a researcher at Simon Fraser university,
Russel Ogden. Mr. Ogden conducted a two-year study amongst PWAs in the
Vancouver area and found that 83% regarded "assisted suicide or
euthanasia" as a desirable option but, in fact, among the case histories
recorded by Ogden of assisted and/or attempted suicides the most common
characteristic is a *lack of knowledge* about how to commit suicide,
quickly, painlessly and peacefully. Through its (never before told)
case-histories, Ogden's book provides many examples of botched and bungled
attempts that are heart-wrenching to read.

Since its inception in 1991, the Right to Die Society of Canada, alone
among "right to die" organizations in the world, has pioneered research in
the field of "self-deliverance." We are particularly grateful for having
two principal researchers (Chris Docker, Executive  Secretary of the
Voluntary Euthanasia Society of Scotland, and Cheryl K. Smith, a former
staff attorney for Hemlock Society, U.S.A.) who have conducted original
research and
published the results in "Departing Drugs" (1993) and their latest effort
"Beyond Final Exit" (June 1995): restricted publications which are not
sold in bookstores and available only to serious-minded individuals with a
legitimate need to have knowledge about their "options in dying".  

The Right to Die Society of Canada is not limited to Canada in either its
concerns or operations. Through DeathNET we are accessible to Internet
users around the world. We answer any inquiry we receive within 24 hours. 
We try to be as helpful as possible.
But often we find (and this goes to the heart of Brian's argument) that
people who approach us for advice and assistance have waited far too long
to do so. Sometimes it is other family members of PWAs who contact us
because the individual himself is too weak or sick to contact us directly.
Often there is little time to make proper plans (to get appropriate
medication through prescriptions); and far too often, another PWA dies a 
rather miserable death (albeit cared for by palliative care workers)
simply because, as one young man told us recently, "all the AIDS groups I
know of are so 'gung-ho' about Living with AIDS, that talking about
*planning* for one's death is practically taboo."
(I cannot count the number of times we have told something like: "I meant
to contact you earlier but...I never got around to it.")

DeathNET does not "tell" people what to do. It has no political agenda
(except to work for changes in the law permitting all people greater
*choice* in dying). But many PWAs who contact us tell us that it a great
relief to find an organization which gives them candid answers to their
questions. Perhaps through our efforts, there will be less ignorance...and
fewer botched suicide attempts by those who, as another man with AIDS told
us, "would rather die while he is capable of appreciating his own death
rather than wait for the last gasp".   

Some readers of sci.med.aids sent email to say that they do not have WWW
access or WEB browsers and would like to know how they can obtain further
information.
A comprehensive InfoPAK is available, free of charge anywhere in the
world, by regular post.
Simply write to: LAST RIGHTS, P.O. Box 39108, Victoria, BC V8V 4X8
or fax (604) 386-3800

David S. Stodolsky      Euromath Center     University of Copenhagen
   Tel.: +45 38 33 03 30   Fax: +45 38 33 88 80 (C)


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