7 Days of Resistance: #5 Choice at the End of Life
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- Published on Sunday, 29 November -0001 16:00
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Dear PAOV,
My name is Jay Aubrey and I'm Staff Counsel for the BCCLA.
This Association has been fighting for choice and compassion at the end of life for nearly 25 years. Advocates outside of our Association have been fighting for decades longer
Donate today to support our ongoing work for choice at the end of life.
This year, things have changed in a very important way.
Robyn Moro, the second plaintiff in our Lamb v. Canada challenge to Canada's medical aid in dying laws, died on August 31, 2017 with medical assistance from a doctor.
Robyn was a fierce advocate, cherished by so many friends and family. All of us here at the BCCLA are deeply saddened to lose Robyn, but we are so thankful that our clients' stories now include them having choice and autonomy over their end of life decisions. Just over a year ago, this would not have been an option.
So many other Canadians have faced cruel choices at the end of life, often starving or dehydrating themselves to hasten death. Because of the incredible courage of these people, and the pivotal support of people like you, those stories are changing. There is always sadness and complexity at the end of life, but now there is also choice, autonomy, and compassion.
Sadly, the legislation passed by Parliament has left many Canadians behind, unreasonably restricting access for many people.
Len Moro, Robyn's husband of more than 48 years, said: "Robyn joined the BCCLA’s legal challenge to the medically assisted laws because she believed that every person deserves compassion and choice. She and all of us who loved her were grateful that she was finally given the right to choose to end her suffering, but Robyn was very concerned for everyone who remains suffering without relief under the current law…The law is wrong. It is cruel. In Robyn’s memory, we carry on the fight.”
So, with Julia Lamb as our remaining plaintiff, we carry on the fight for choice and compassion at the end of life— not only in Robyn's name, but in the names of all the brave women who have been our clients. For Gloria Taylor, Kay Carter, Elayne Shapray, and the countless Canadians who continue to suffer against their will at the end of life, we carry on.
Thank you so much for sticking around through day five of our 7 Days of Resistance series. With your help, we are changing the face of Canadian law, and the stories of suffering Canadians.
Warmly,
Jay Aubrey, Staff Counsel
P.S. Want to know more about the incredible women behind these cases? Read Len's moving tribute to Robyn here , Howard's tribute to his wifer0
