Disabled Community Fears Impact of Medically Assisted Deaths

Debra Fults and Seth Whitten of the disAbility Resource Center in Fredericksburg, Virginia are relieved the Virginia legislature tabled physician-assisted suicide legislation this year, but fear the issue will return next year.  They see such legislation as a potential threat to people with disabilities.  “Because of the way our society views disability and the way people with disabilities have internalized this notion that your life isn’t as valuable, you’re a burden, this can lead people to say I’m gonna’ make that choice to die,” Whitten said. “While, sure, it’s their choice, again it’s this cultural landscape that’s saying you guys aren’t worth as much as other people.”

Read More: Richmond Times-Dispatch