This morning I read two articles pertaining to autism. First, from the Netherlands:
Several Dutch citizens who had autism or other intellectual disabilities have died by physician-assisted suicide in recent years after doctors determined their afflictions were untreatable obstacles to a normal life, researchers found.
Nearly 40 people who identified as autistic or intellectually disabled were legally euthanized in the Netherlands between 2012 and 2021, according to a Kingston University investigation of Dutch euthanasia cases.
Five people younger than 30 who were killed at their own request cited autism as the sole or a major reason for their decision to end their lives, the UK study found...
When the Netherlands became the first country to legalize human euthanasia, the debate focused on people with cancer — not those with autism, Raus said...
One of the report’s main authors Irene Tuffrey-Wijne, a palliative care specialist at Kingston University, questioned the ethics of ending the lives of the autistic.
“There’s no doubt in my mind these people were suffering,” she said. “But is society really OK with sending this message, that there’s no other way to help them and it’s just better to be dead?”
Then from the United States:
Philadelphia Eagles star center Jason Kelce is a man of many talents, and one of them was on full display in Sea Isle City, New Jersey, Wednesday.
Kelce was back at Ocean Drive Bar & Restaurant in the Jersey Shore town to raise money and awareness for the Eagles Autism Foundation, and he kicked off the event by showcasing his ability to destroy a 30-ounce beer in a chugging competition...
Kelce was accompanied by his little brother, Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce, for the fundraiser, which raised $100,000 for the foundation last year.
Jason Kelce donated an extra $50,000 of his own money...
The event is in its third summer, and Jason Kelce kicked it off with quite the show.
In the first story we have the government allowing the killing of people with autism. In the second we have a celebrity donating and raising money for an autism foundation. Which one seems more compassionate to you?
Update: 15 minutes after posting the above, I encountered this book on Audible.
A book somewhere in my "to read" bookshelf (I know over 100 books...I may get through them all if I make it to 146 years) is on the NAZI euthanasia program. The "T-4" program killed over 200K people for them being "defective" in some form or another. It frightens me that an advanced western nation may embrace a similar concept.
ReplyDeleteI remember the late not-great Dr. Kevorkian, and his effort to legitimize physical assisted suicide. An uncomfortable thought, but I believe there is something to be discussed. If you have an adult who is in a free and clear mind who is facing an unpalatable end, this may be a legitimate option (see Robin Williams). The problem (actually just one) with Kevorkian is he enjoyed it too much. And it's a matter to be discussed among medical, legal, and government professionals first, not forced upon society by a nutcase MD.
Mike,
ReplyDeleteIn Canada, it is easier for people to get approved for being euthanized than it is for them to get disability help.
One of the scary things about the Netherlands is that they fought the Nazi's in WWII, but now have surrendered to them philosophically.
If you haven't before heard of the Groningen Protocols, take a stiff drink before you head to Wikipedia:
ReplyDeletehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groningen_Protocol
Anna, I did not know that. Forgive my cynicism, but could this a nanny state bureaucracy cutting back on expenses on senior/end of life care?
ReplyDeleteChecked the link and it said it was an option for people 12 and older. I was wondering if the Netherlands was engaging into letting children end their lives without parental involvement. No, needs a parent's approval.
ReplyDeleteDisturbing, in the least screwed up circumstances.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/apr/01/andrewosborn
Mike, the case where I read about it is a woman, 33 years but quadriplegic due to an accident. 6-8 months for disability help, 3 months to be approved for being killed.
ReplyDeleteMy scary source is Euthanasia Prevention Coalition, Alex Schadenberg.