National non-profit Compassion & Choices advocates for the legalization of medical aid in dying, which gives those with a terminal illness and less than six months left to live the option of a peaceful death.
Medical aid in dying is legal in several states, but Michigan is not one of them. Compassion & Choices’ Michigan Action Team gives presentations across the state in libraries, churches, and other locations to share information about end-of-life options and encourage people to begin discussing their end-of-life wishes with their loved ones.
Bonnie Lawrence, Compassion & Choices’ New Member Coordinator for the state of Michigan, indicated that the difference between medical aid in dying and what is commonly known as “assisted suicide” or “euthanasia” is that with medical aid in dying, the person must be able to self-ingest the medicine prescribed to them by a physician. They must also be at least 18 years old and “of sound mind or mental capacity.”
Lawrence expressed that medical aid in dying is just another option for people, and that’s all people in these situations want: a choice.
Visit Compassion & Choices’ website to learn more about end-of-life care in Michigan.
