Quit the attack on Jack!

I am getting so tired of reading about people attacking Dr. Jack Kevorkian who seemed to be one of the few people out there really willing to step up to the plate and help the dying who were left abandoned by their own physicians. Rather than accept responsibility for life and death, people from all over are coming out of the woodwork to attack Jack. Well, I for one am sick of it! Dr. Jack Kevorkian is a good man who got rail-roaded by the media. It is so sad that reporters can spin a story so corruptly that anyone can be made to seem horrible! And let’s not forget the labels we seem to apply to anyone who isn’t following the norm. As someone who has worked in the field of death and dying and has seen her share of “good” and “bad” deaths, I’m grateful that Dr. Jack Kevorkian has pushed the envelope allowing some terminally ill people in the country an opportunity to choose when and how they should die. While working as a hospice social worker, I ran into physicians who refused to give proper amounts of pain medication because of their fear that the patient would become addicted! I met physicians who didn’t want to provide proper amounts of medication because the patient was a drug addict and/or alcoholic. Sadly, people do die with pain and suffering, but with proper care, compassion and medication these people could die with peace and dignity. Now I provide education to health care and mental health care professionals. After presentations offered regarding physician-assisted suicide, physicians have approached me and shared that they have assisted with the deaths of friends and colleagues. Is there a reason for a law regarding physician-assisted suicide? You betcha! Is there a reason to persecute Dr. Jack Kevorkian? No! Instead of attacking the man, thank him and begin to discuss how you want to be cared for at the end of life. Complete your advance health care directives and speak with your physicians about your needs. America, let’s help the dying and those who are trying to bring attention to an area of life people deny.