MAID: Facing Death
Medical assistance in dying – or MAID – has been legal in Canada since 2016.
What started as a way to hasten the end of life for people facing foreseeable death, has now expanded.
People living with disabilities or chronic illnesses are now eligible for medical assistance in dying as well.
Advocates argue MAID is a way to die with dignity, to end the suffering they can’t escape.
Most recently, the story of an Ontario woman who suffers from Multiple Chemical Sensitivities made the news. After failed efforts to find wheelchair-accessible housing that is free from scents that could trigger her disorder, she has sought approval to access MAID.
An Anglican parish priest called on his congregation for support.
But Denise is not the first person to access MAID due to a lack of support for her disability.
Next year, the law will permit MAID for those with mental illness as a sole eligibility criteria.
What message does this send to those seeking to live, but unable to access care and services – looking for a way out?
Where do we, as a society, draw the line for medical assistance in dying?
This week on Context: Facing death – have we lost the value of life?
