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| Alex Schadenberg |
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition
What does it mean to coerce someone to death?
Coercion the practice of persuading someone to do something by using force or threats.
Subtle coercion means manipulating someone into doing something they don't want to do through non-physical, often gradual tactics.
This week I received a call from a woman who was very upset about the euthanasia death of her nephew who was in his 50's, was never married and had multiple health issues.
She told me that she spoke to him a few days before his death and during the conversation she realized that he was being offered euthanasia. She spoke to him about it and he told her that he wants to live.
This week I received a call from a woman who was very upset about the euthanasia death of her nephew who was in his 50's, was never married and had multiple health issues.
She told me that she spoke to him a few days before his death and during the conversation she realized that he was being offered euthanasia. She spoke to him about it and he told her that he wants to live.
Being offered euthanasia is common. Every major hospital in Canada has a MAiD team that not only approves and carries out the death, but they also offer death.
After his death she received a call from an immediate family member of the nephew concerning his death. The family member described the death with glowing language.
After his death she received a call from an immediate family member of the nephew concerning his death. The family member described the death with glowing language.
When she stated that she had spoken to the nephew recently and he told her that he wanted to live, the immediate family member responded by saying it was for the best.
Who wanted the nephew to die?
Was it a medical practitioner?
Was it the immediate family member(s)?
Was it the nephew, even though he said to his Aunt that he wanted to live?
Subtle coercion is often all that it takes when someone is experiences multiple health issues and needs the love and support of close family members, but instead is told, it is for the best.
The woman who called me wanted to know how she could be assured that she would not be killed by euthanasia?
I told her that the law is problematic but the Life Protecting Power of Attorney for Personal Care clearly states that you do not want euthanasia or assisted suicide, as well as it lists how you would want to be treated or not treated.
The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition has documents that are designed for all 50 states and for the different Canadian provinces. (Article about the Life Protecting Power of Attorney)
This is a tricky one where we don't have enough information. Did other family members encourage medical termination, putting pressure on this woman's nephew? Did the physician encourage or simply refer. We don't know. What is clear is that in most provinces physicians are obliged at least to refer a person seeking termination to the proper authorities for assessment. And many are, at best, lax in suggesting alternatives. As to the family, differences of opinion will exist and how to sort them in a way that educates the person but does not encourage an alternative is a complex matter of negotiation.
ReplyDeleteI agree Tom. The woman who called me was not at the death but she had talked to her nephew only a short time before his death.
ReplyDeleteIn matters of life and death the only "proper authority" is God. As humans our duty goes way back to the Hypocratic Oath which is essentially Do No Harm.
ReplyDeleteYes WE SEE Coercion---The Practice Of Persuading Someone To Do Something By Using Force Or Threats Already In The Medical System To Both Patients And Supporters (Whether Friends Or Family Of The Patient) AND THAT IS ABUSE SO THE ABUSE WILL ONLY KEEP GETTING WORSE AS DEATH CULT GETS LAWS EXPANDED FOR KILLING (EUTHANASIAN AND ASSISTED SUICIDE) AND IT IS SO SO SO SAD AND UPSETTING THAT THE ABUSE KEEP HAPPENING TO THE VULNERABLE AND INNOCENT!!! IT NEEDS TO STOP!!! ALL LAWS NEED TO BE STOP AS KILLING IS NOT ACCEPTABLE FOR ANYTHING!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for addressing this, Alex. It is vital to raise awareness of this societal horror. May God bless you and your good efforts.
ReplyDelete