Tuesday, April 9, 2024

Great news: Judge prevents euthanasia death of Calgary Autistic woman.

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

I have great news.

Justice Anne Kirker, on April 8, 2024; issued a stay of the injunction pending a determination of an appeal in the case of the 27-year-old autistic Calgary woman whose father has been trying to prevent her death by euthanasia (MAiD).

In other words, the woman will not be allowed to be killed by euthanasia until after the Court of Appeal makes a decision in this case. The trial is tentatively set for October 2024.

This case concerns a 27-year-old autistic woman who lives with her family and has been approved for death by MAiD (euthanasia) but whose father claims that, based on the law, she does not qualify to be killed by euthanasia.

This case concerns me greatly since I have an autistic son.

CBC News reported on March 12, 2024 on the Calgary court case concerning a father who petitioned the court to prevent the euthanasia death of his 27-year-old autistic daughter, who lives at home. The father stated that his daughter did not have a medical condition that qualifies under the law and yet the daughter had already been approved for death by lethal poison.

CBC News reporter, Meghan Grant reported on March 25, 2024 that Justice Feasby ruled that the 27-year-old daughter can die by euthanasia despite her father's concerns. Justice Feasby withdrew the temporary injunction that prevented the woman from dying by euthanasia but maintained a 30 day stay of the injunction, which gave the father time to appeal the decision.

Justice Feasby ordered an assessment of the role of Alberta Health Services with relation to the approval of euthanasia for the daughter.

On April 2, 2024, Kevin Martin reported for the Calgary Herald that the father of the 27-year-old autistic woman appealed the decision to the Alberta Court of Appeal.

On April 8, Justice Anne Kirker ordered a stay on the injunction to prevent the death of the 27-year-old autistic woman until after the appeal is heard. The date of the appeal is not known but will likely be heard in October.

The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition will seek to intervene in the Appeal.

14 comments:

Anna B said...

TBTG!

Martha Lujan said...

I am a mental health professional in California, USA. I know many who suffer with depression or anxiety/stress disorders who often talk about suicide but who don't really want to die and make that statement clearly after the crisis has passed. Some experience regular crises. Some persons on the autism spectrum may not be able to help themselves and will need the help and protection of loved ones. Life is precious and even their lives are precious. It is up to all of us to help protect, help and serve those who are unable to do so for themselves.

Martin Gomez said...

Her Dad really loves her to go through all this lawfare on the part of the powers that be. Where is the rest of her family? Where are all the government-paid "care workers" she must be involved with? Have none of these had anything to add, tried to help prevent this barbaric atrocity?

Janice said...

Alleluia!
Hopefully, this will allow time for this woman to receive help, both physically and mentally.
There was a program recently on television about autism and how successful people and can be. Those who truly love and want to support this woman, eg. her boyfriend and doctors, need to step up and help her find a realistic acceptance of her situation and to find joy.
People with physical or psychological disabilities are not to be written off and suicide is never the answer, as has been proven by those who have attempted suicide and thankfully failed.
Joy is a very personal definition and sometimes we need to go through an incredible journey to find it; but it can definitely be found.
I wish this woman joy and peace.

Paul said...

Answer to prayer for many people. Thank God they at least are putting a halt on it until there is further reasonable thinking put into this plan to kill herself. We need to keep praying she will be set free from that intention.

Voice of Gone Ballistic said...

I hope the woman changes her mind and not put her father through the ordeal of an appeal.

Anonymous said...

I don’t think her father loves any of this. And Alberta Health has a lot of explaining to do.

gypsylm said...

Sadly Martin, a lot of "health care" workers have drunk the kool-aid and STILL believe everything our immoral and corrupt gov't is pushing down our throats! I am NOT on a conspiratorial witch hunt but have definitely lived long enough, listened to "population control" proponents and liars and know what the Bible says about our times. We are in desperate times where the Holy sanctity of each and every life is being disregarded and if you're not "one of them" ..... you probably don't deserve to live! You remember we the fringe minority of "useless eaters" ?? Nuff said!

gypsylm said...

Praying for those who have the courage as well as love for humanity that enables them to stand tall in the gap, protecting those who can't protect themselves! God bless y'all!

Anonymous said...

I am also on the autistic spectrum as well as deafblind. I live in the UK and since COVID have not had so much care. I have waited over a year for an eye appointment and still don’t know when it is. My dad also waits for a cateract surgery. This is in the UK where there is more help than in Canada so I doubt she gets adequate support if any. At least Euthanasia is not permitted in the UK and I hope it stays that way!

Alex Schadenberg said...

I am not suggesting that the woman in Calgary receives all the support that she needs, but she does live with her family and her family has provided her with everything and anything possible.

Vi said...

This is great news! Praise & Glory to GOD!

Antonio Toniolo said...

Great news and a GOOD Judge! Thanks God for preserving intelligent and integer persons in this world!

Kimberly Howard said...

Wonderful news. Thank you, Justice Anne Kirker. My prayerful support for Ms. Grant and her family.