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November 14, 2014

Title: Dignified Death: Where Do We Go From Here?
Topic: Assisted Suicide OR Dignified Death

Discussed by Dr. David Stevens
with Christian Medical and Dental Association www.CMDA.org

Recently, a young woman by the name of Brittany Maynard caught national attention. She wasn’t a big-time actress or a contestant on The Voice. She didn’t win the Nobel Peace Prize. She was simply a woman – a woman with a terminal illness who had a “bucket list” of things she wanted to accomplish before she ended her own life.

Some say her choice to commit suicide was courageous – heroic even. But what kind of message do her actions send to depressed teenagers, people caring for a disabled relative, and other terminally ill people? What is preventing them from committing suicide – or even murder – to ease their suffering or the suffering of a loved one?

Dr. David Stevens, CEO of the Christian Medical and Dental Association, was not only deeply saddened to hear about her death, he was troubled by the national coverage of her story. Yes, it is terribly sad to see someone so young to suffer such horrible pain and anguish. But what about others who have experienced severe medical hardships: Joni Eareckson Tada, for example.

When do the risks outweigh the benefits when it comes to end of life care? Is there a difference between “shutting the machine off” and suicide? What does the Bible say about suicide? When will we draw the line when it comes to easing someone’s suffering, such as a disabled or mentally challenged child or adult or someone with Alzheimer’s? Will people soon be allowed to just kill their challenged children when it gets too tough to take care of them? Listen in as Dr. David Stevens discusses this and more. Log on to www.CMDA.org  for more on this and other issues.

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