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Applauding stance on the right to die

My husband of nearly 59 years received a diagnosis of advanced ALS, accompanied by the neurologist’s words: “no treatment, no cure.”

The front page article in Tuesday’s edition of The NEWS (‘Debating the right to die’) is a subject on which I must comment.

My husband of nearly 59 years received a diagnosis of advanced ALS last January, accompanied by the neurologist’s words: “no treatment, no cure.” I watched a man I loved, whose brain was in no way impaired, face a dreadful future.

Perhaps before MP James Lunney mirrors the views of his party leader in Ottawa he should consult with his constituents, who represent a riding with a sizable senior population.

I applaud Parksville resident Bill Martin for his stance on his right to die on his own terms and instead of using  words like “creating mechanisms to kill people,”  as Lunney does, I would suggest that all of us are entitled to a voice in how we end our days.

Hopefully the Supreme Court will agree.

Bernice HathawayParksville