VSED might not be for everyone, but it is the only chance for some to experience an end to unbearable suffering. Done with careful preparation, medical support, and compassionate caregiving, VSED offers a natural end to life.
In 2019, three community women asked to meet with me about a compelling community education concern. The spouses of these women had all struggled to use the VSED end-of-life option because our county’s only hospital, and associated hospice program, had religious affiliations and, therefore, was unable to support VSED.
After he died, Jean and her sister both looked at one other and said, “That’s how I’m going to die.”
“Death would not be called bad, O people, if one knew how to truly die.”
— Nanak
In his mind, Mr. Solution had become the problem, adding to his grief and distress.
A friend’s .357 “solution” reinforced his decision to learn from right-to-die groups.
Managing dying and death is difficult enough. But if you do nothing, you’ll be a pawn in a profit-driven medical system.
How we die is in direct relationship to how we have lived.
Ordering more tests and surgeries for dying patients is easy. Getting them the end-of-life care they deserve takes much more effort.
