Well stated Mike.  Well stated.

Elizabeth Bouvier's adverse circumstances were multifaceted.  There had been
family tragedy, educational difficulties not -- in my understanding -- of her
own making, and there was also a lawyer fighting for her to be legally
allowed to die.  I don't remember the details but as I recall, the lawyer was
not painted as a saint in disability quarters.

When disabled adults want to die, I often wonder if it's the disability
itself, or despair from having been denied other things that all humans need?
 Community, belonging, and regard are vital factors, and if categorically and
continually denied those things, would not anyone be more prone to consider
suicide?

I would and I did.  Then I found you and had those things again.  Not
everyone finds that though, and even so there are times when I wish you were
nearby to hug.  There is something in the touch factor for me, and I'm sure
others as well.  Not everybody likes to be touched, but some of us thrive on
physical human contact.

Is it the disability, or these other things?

Betty

In a message dated 11/01/2000 12:17:38 PM Eastern Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

> In the late '80's, a lady with C.P. Elizabeth Bouvier, wanted a hospital to
> help
>  her commit suicide by starvation.   She did not like to have anyone help
her,
>  and
>  rather than suffer the "indignity" of helplessness, she wanted to commit
> suicide,
>
>  How does this relate to Latimer, Alex, and Joey?  They relate in that the
> society
>  and culture places irs interests and concerns on being independent.  The
> more
>  independent you are, the more society values you, and the more dependent
you
> are,
>  the less society values you.  Even in disability culture this is true,
> although
>  not spoken about much.
>
>  Just my $.02.
>