True Compassion Advocates' (TCA) supportive care gathering protesting the one year anniversary of the legalization of assisted suicide in Washington State was a huge success.
Over 70 protestors, including seniors, representatives of the disability community, families with children, and health care professionals such as physicians, nurses, and pharmacists lined the sidewalks in front of the hospital. Lining the streets of one of Seattle's busiest intersections, in front of one of the few Seattle-area hospitals which opted-into involvement in assisted suicide, protestors held signs reading, "The Death With Dignity Act is a recipe for elder abuse," "UW: We want compassionate care, not assisted suicide," and "Support people with disabilities. No assisted suicide."
Thanks to all who attended--and all who support those at risk for assisted suicide.
From March 5th, 2009 to March 5th, 2010, over 50 Washingtonians have become direct victims of assisted suicide, while many more have become 'collateral damage' to the law. According to The Washington State's Department of Health, (3/2/10), 52 Washingtonians are confirmed to have died after requesting assisted suicide in the state, while 80 individuals have lethal prescriptions. Only four of the 52 assisted suicides documented at the DOH by March 1st received psychiatric consults for the depression, anxiety, or mental illness that can accompany serious and chronic illnesses and result in a 'cry for help.'
'NOTE: the Department of Health provided limited information for one full year of assisted suicide, as above, but more information for 10 months, from March through December. The 10 month total showed 36 confirmed deaths and 4 psych referrals.
True Compassion Advocates President, Eileen Geller stated: "I can only hope all the reported assisted suicides were truly voluntary and not resulting from untreated depression or someone else's choice." She added: "Unfortunately, given the flimsy reporting standards of the DWD Act, there is no way to know for sure."
Geller believes the overall number of people adversely affected by the Act is much higher than the official count of assisted suicides gathered by DOH. For instance, even the "well elderly" of the state have been targeted by an Exit International suicide promotion workshop in Bellingham Washington last November.
In the last year, True Compassion Advocates has received increasing reports of 'collateral damage' from the DWDA, including calls about seniors who feel increased pressure to commit suicide or assisted suicide. They have also heard from health care professionals worried about vulnerable adults being adversely impacted by the "duty to die" climate fostered by the Act.
Geller, a longtime hospice nurse, stated: "These calls are an indicator of abuse. I've spoken to patients for whom this pressure is very real. With the rates of elder abuse and financial exploitation climbing, Washington's legalization of assisted suicide has created increased stress on vulnerable adults. With state budget cuts and a tough economy, the 'choice,' promised by the Death With Dignity Act, quickly becomes illusory."
"The need for creating and maintaining assisted suicide-free 'safe harbors' in our communities has never been greater," Geller emphasized. Hospitals, such as the UW, which 'opted in' to allowing assisted suicide in their facilities, along with nursing homes and adult family homes, are hearing from patients, families, and community members. They are saying that they want safe, competent care, but not assisted suicide," she stressed.
Thanks for joining us in front of the University of Washington Medical Center to stand in solidarity with victims of assisted suicide. Let's continue to advocate for improved care for seniors, people with disabilities, those experiencing chronic or serious illness.