John Norton: A Cautionary Tale

Hearing Room

By Margaret Dore, Esq., MBA

In March 2012, I watched Massachusetts resident, John Norton, testify before the Joint Judiciary Committee of the Massachusetts Legislature. A person with ALS, he had been told at age 18 or 19 that he would die in three to five years from paralysis. Below find his story, at age 74, as submitted to a Canadian court via this affidavit: 

AFFIDAVIT OF JOHN NORTON IN OPPOSITION TO

ASSISTED SUICIDE AND EUTHANASIA

THE UNDERSIGNED, being first duly sworn on oath, STATES:

1. I live in Florence Massachusetts USA. When I was eighteen years old and in my first year of college, I was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) by the University of Iowa Medical School. ALS is commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease. I was told that I would get progressively worse (be paralyzed) and die in three to five years.

2. I was a very physical person. The diagnosis was devastating to me. I had played football in high school and was extremely active riding bicycles. I also performed heavy labor including road construction and farm work. I prided myself for my physical strength, especially in my hands.

3. The ALS diagnosis was confirmed by the Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota. I was eighteen or nineteen years old at the time. By then, I had twitching in both hands, which were also getting weaker. At some point, I lost the ability to grip in my hands. I became depressed and was treated for my depression. If instead, I had been told that my depression was rational and that I should take an easy way out with a doctor’s prescription and support, I would have taken that opportunity.

ADA Will Trump Euthanasia Prohibition

By Margaret Dore, Esq., MBA

Pending New York bills seek to pass a medical aid in dying act.[1] "Aid in dying" is a euphemism for active euthanasia, meaning the administration of a lethal agent to another person.[2][3]

The act also prohibits euthanasia, stating:

A health care professional or other person shall not administer the medication [lethal dose] to the patient. (Emphasis added).[4]

This prohibition is, however, unenforceable. This is due to the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”).

Assisting Persons Can Have an Agenda

By Margaret Dore, Esq., MBA

Morant

Persons assisting a suicide or euthanasia can have an agenda. Consider Tammy Sawyer, trustee for Thomas Middleton in Oregon. Two days after his death by legal assisted suicide, she sold his home and deposited the proceeds into bank accounts for her own benefit.[1] Consider also Graham Morant, convicted of counseling his wife to kill herself in Australia, to get the life insurance.[2] The Court found:

[Y]ou counselled and aided your wife to kill herself because you wanted ... the 1.4 million.[3]

If New York Follows Oregon, the Proposed Act Will Apply to Young Adults with Diabetes

Dr. Toffler

The Medical Aid in Dying Act (Bills A 2694 and S 3947) applies to individuals with a terminal illness or condition expected to produce death within six months. The Act states:

“Terminal illness or condition” means an incurable and irreversible illness or condition that has been medically confirmed and will, within reasonable medical judgment, produce death within six months. (Emphasis added).[1]

Oregon’s law has a similar criteria, as follows:

Regarding Debate Rematch at Jefferson Ferry Long Island: Dore v. Leven

About Margaret Dore

Dore is a fourth generation lawyer in Washington State USA. Her father was a lawyer and a Democratic politician who ultimately served as Chief Justice of the Washington State Supreme Court. Her mother was a politician’s wife and a political activist in her own right, best known for her work to raise awareness about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), and also to help affected families and to promote medical research. Growing up, other families went camping. Dore’s family went campaigning.

Legal Analysis of Bill A. 2383-A by Margaret Dore, Esq., MBA: Reject Euthanasia/Assisted Suicide

I.  INTRODUCTION 

For the original pdf version, click the following links for a memo and appendices.  For "quick facts," click here.

I am a lawyer and president of Choice is an Illusion, a nonprofit corporation opposed to assisted suicide and euthanasia.[1] The bill, A. 2383-A, seeks to legalize “medical aid in dying,” which is a euphemism for active euthanasia and physician assisted suicide.[2] 

The bill is based on similar statutes in Oregon and Washington State. If enacted, the bill will apply to people with years or decades to live. The bill will also create new paths of elder abuse and exploitation, especially for people with money, meaning the middle class and above. 

Other problems will include family trauma and suicide contagion. I urge you to reject this bill.

Margaret Dore Testifies Against New York Bill

Margaret Dore, testifying against Bill A.2383-A, seeking to legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia in New York State.

Margaret Dore Testifies Against New York Bill

On May 3, 2018, Margaret Dore, president of Choice is an Illusion, testified before the New York Assembly Health Committee in opposition to Bill A.2383-A, seeking to legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia. The bill was based on a similar law in Oregon.

Proponents had sold the bill as limited to assisted suicide, with euthanasia (direct killing) prohibited.  Dore, a practicing attorney, pointed out that the apparent prohibition was gutted by other language in the bill, so that euthanasia was in fact allowed.

Dore also testified that the bill would apply to people with years or decades to live. To illustrate the point, she held up a smiling photo of her friend, Jeanette Hall, talked out of assisted suicide in Oregon eighteen years ago.

On June 21, 2018, the Legislature closed without voting on the bill, effectively killing it.

Click here to watch video.

New York Debate: Thank you Dawn Eskew and Everyone Else Who Came and Contributed

Dawn Eskew

Thank you to Dawn Eskew and everyone else who helped put on yesterday's debate. 

We had a great turnout and Dawn as the moderator, kept everyone in check, including me.

We had a number of people who came a long way, including Alex Shadenberg from Ontario Canada and Kate Menzia from Missoula Montana

It was also very interesting getting feedback from people on the other side.  

This Saturday, Register Now, Seats Limited!

Saturday March 3rd, 2018

Doors Open 12:00pm  | Event 12:30pm

One hour debate followed by 15 minute Q&A

Complimentary Refreshments

Tickets are $10
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/euthanasia-or-aid-in-dying-you-decide-tickets-41520189003

Hofstra University Club, 225 Hofstra Blvd, Hempstead, NY 11550

To print an event flyer Click Here

For more information: 631-487-7578

The ADA: A Gift From the Disability Community to the Non-Disabled, Improving Access for All

http://www.npr.org/2015/07/24/423230927/-a-gift-to-the-non-disabled-at-25-the-ada-improves-access-for-all

"This elevator is a gift from the disability
 community and the ADA to the nondisabled
 people of New York," said civil rights
lawyer,  Sid Wolinsky. 

From NPR's Joseph Shapiro, published last year.

When the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became law 25 years ago, "everybody was thinking about the iconic person in a wheelchair," says civil rights lawyer Sid Wolinsky. Or that the ADA — which bans discrimination based on disability — was for someone who is deaf, or blind.

But take a tour of New York City with Wolinsky — and the places he sued there — and you will see how the ADA has helped not just people with those significant disabilities, but also people with minor disabilities, and people with no disability at all.

Memo Opposing NY Bills A. 10059 and S. 7579

https://choiceisanillusion.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/ny-memo-05-31-16_001.pdf  

By Margaret Dore, Esq., MBA

I. INTRODUCTION  

I am a lawyer in Washington State where physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia are legal.[1] Our law is based on a similar law in Oregon.  Both laws are similar to the proposed bills, A. 10059 and S. 7579.[2]

The bills are titled “Medical Aid in Dying.”  There is, however, no requirement that patients be dying. “Eligible” patients may have years, even decades, to live. The bills are also sold as a promotion of patient choice and control. The bills are instead stacked against the patient and a recipe for elder abuse. Finally, the bills are deceptively written; they are not what they appear to be. I urge you to vote “No.”

John Norton: A Cautionary Tale

By Margaret Dore

In March 2012, I watched John Norton testify before the Joint Judiciary Committee of the Massachusetts Legislature.  A person with ALS, he had been told at age 18 that he would die in three to five years from paralysis.  Below find his story, at age 74, as submitted to a Canadian court via this affidavit: 

AFFIDAVIT OF JOHN NORTON IN OPPOSITION
ASSISTED SUICIDE AND EUTHANASIA

THE UNDERSIGNED, being first duly sworn on oath, STATES:

1. I live in Florence Massachusetts USA. When I was eighteen years old and in my first year of college, I was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) by the University of Iowa Medical School. ALS is commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease. I was told that I would get progressively worse (be paralyzed) and die in three to five years.

2. I was a very physical person. The diagnosis was devastating to me. I had played football in high school and was extremely active riding bicycles. I also performed heavy labor including road construction and farm work. I prided myself for my physical strength, especially in my hands.

3. The ALS diagnosis was confirmed by the Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota. I was eighteen or nineteen years old at the time. By then, I had twitching in both hands, which were also getting weaker. At some point, I lost the ability to grip in my hands. I became depressed and was treated for my depression. If instead, I had been told that my depression was rational and that I should take an easy way out with a doctor’s prescription and support, I would have taken that opportunity.

4. Six years after my initial diagnosis, the disease progression stopped. Today, my condition is about the same. I still can’t grip with my hands. Sometimes I need special help. But, I have a wonderful life. I am married to Susan. We have three children and one grandchild. I have a degree in Psychology and one year of graduate school. I am a retired bus driver (no gripping required). Prior to driving bus, I worked as a parole and probation officer. When I was much younger, I drove a school bus. We have wonderful friends. I enjoy singing tenor in amateur choruses. I help other people by working as a volunteer driver.

5. I will be 75 years old this coming September. If assisted suicide or euthanasia had been available to me in the 1950's, I would have missed the bulk of my life and my life yet to come. I hope that Canada does not legalize these practices.

Not Everyone Will Have the Support I Had

Dear Editor:
      

Terrie Lincoln

I am a 32 year old quadriplegic who works as a “Systems Advocate” in Rochester, New York. I am a college graduate and currently working on my Masters’ degree. I was disturbed to see Joel Marks’ forum piece, advocating for legalized assisted suicide.  (“Extending life no favor for some”).
        
When I was 19 years old, I was in an automobile accident, which led to my becoming disabled. I subsequently found myself in two different hospitals, where two different sets of doctors repeatedly and sometimes daily pressured my parents and later me directly, to agree to ending my life.  Fortunately, my mother was a strong advocate and refused to listen. Once I was better and recuperated, I was also a strong advocate for myself which helped me to advocate for others. Had we faltered, I would have missed out on some of the best years of my life.
        
Legalizing assisted suicide will expand the ability of doctors to legally kill their patients and/or pressure patients to kill themselves. With the “option” of assisted suicide, family members and others who might benefit from a death will be similarly empowered. Not everyone will have the support that I had. Our most vulnerable citizens will be at risk.

Terrie Lincoln