NZ Herald 7 March 2018
Family First Comment: “The 31-year-old suffers from Ehlers Danlos Syndrome [EDS], a genetic connective-tissue disorder that is progressive and incurable. But Black does not want to die. And she does not want doctors suggesting death as an option to her, especially on her darkest days. “I personally have seen over 20 specialists through my local district health board. If I was asked to consider my options as things progress by even a handful of these, I would certainly feel very pressured to consider euthanasia.””
Yep – vulnerable people can live without euthanasia
Kylee Black has already had end of life conversations with doctors.
The 31-year-old suffers from Ehlers Danlos Syndrome [EDS], a genetic connective-tissue disorder that is progressive and incurable.
But Black does not want to die. And she does not want doctors suggesting death as an option to her, especially on her darkest days.
“I personally have seen over 20 specialists through my local district health board. If I was asked to consider my options as things progress by even a handful of these, I would certainly feel very pressured to consider euthanasia.”
Black is talking about the End of Life Choice Bill, currently before Parliament, which if passed into law would make her eligible to choose to die legally.
A video campaign dubbed #MyLifeMyChoice, launched last month to support Act Party leader David Seymour’s bill, focuses on people with terminal illnesses.
However Black wants to highlight how the bill could affect a disabled person.
Of greatest alarm to Black and the disability sector is the inclusion in the bill of people with grievous and irremediable medical conditions.
Black is not alone when she says this term is ambiguous and vague, and opens disabled people up to pressure and even coercion to end their lives early.
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