Dear Editor,
In response to the letter Hospice should not offer MAID in the June 5 edition of the Western Wheel, I was rather shocked to read the view of the writer and some of the wording chosen to describe the hospice’s choice to offer MAID.
Medically assisted death is a subject not all share the same point of view on.
We live in a society where, to some, this seems like taboo, but to those of us who have watched our loved ones who are terminal suffer, I am thankful that they have adopted this.
The hospice is not only a place for those to go to at end of life to receive the care they may not be able to receive at home or who do not want to go to the hospital for their final days, but it is also a place for families to gather to get comfort and know this is a safe place for their loved one and that the best care will be provided.
I was offended at the comment that “we should bring joy to the suffering, not offer them death as the solution to their problems.”
Obviously, watching your loved one suffer is not something I ever want to endure again. I have lived through this and I believe the patient has the right to choose.
I understand the writer’s view about ethical pain management and that one should be able to treat the pain if managed properly, but I can tell you first hand, this only goes so far and it is a very difficult thing to manage.
If you have not had to experience first hand, one should not comment as it is not as easy as one thinks.
I firmly believe it comes down to quality of life, not quantity of life, and no one has the right to deny the patient their choice on how they want to live their final days.
The patient who is terminal has the right to die with dignity and on their terms. The right to die with dignity is something nobody should ever be denied.
I applaud the hospice for adopting this change and, while not everyone will agree, I strongly believe this will allow patients to make their choice the best choice for them and I feel this is the only thing that matters.
Eryn Richardson
Okotoks
