1. Helping policy makers create death with dignity policies
Aiding the Aid in Dying movement
Presented by: Roxroyr A Reid, PHD, LCSW
SWHPN 2018 – Boston MA

2. Recognition(s):
While there are no commercial benefits to this presenter, This presentation is sponsored and brought to you by the Presbyterian Healthcare Foundation, a non-profit philanthropic arm of Presbyterian Health Services in, NM.

3. Objectives of this Talk
Understand the Inevitability of Pain and the Optionality of Suffering
Challenge participants to understand the connection between suffering and good EOL policies
Updated on the current Aid in Dying/Death with Dignity (AID/DWD) movement in the United States.
Open Discussion on Aid in Dying in Participants various jurisdictions.

4. Some brief facts about AID/DWD
7:10 Americans believe we should have it
7 jurisdiction now has some form of law allowing it (Oregon, Vermont, Washington, Montana, DC, Colorado, California)
26 other states have some pending legislation supporting the movement

5. My Definition of the movement:
“EXERCISING THE OPTION OF MITIGATING THE INEVITABLE PAIN AND SUFFERING THAT MAY BE PRESENT AT THE END OF ONE’S LIFE”

6. The Inevitability of Pain and the Optionality of Suffering

7. The connection between suffering and good EOL policies
How I did I get here. A timeline:
Working in death and dying all my life as have you.
In Sept 2016, I was asked to participate in a task force convened to flesh out a medical AID bill
Feb 2017, asked to testify at NM Legislator against religious objection to AID
March 2017 Terminally ill patient commits suicide on my watch; 23 y.o. Granddaughter (Maya) begs for policy change).

8. The connection between suffering and good EOL policies

9. The connection between suffering and good EOL policies

11. The connection between suffering and good EOL policies
Reduction of stigma around AID/DWD as was done with HIV/AIDS in the 80s’ and 90s’ I submit that suffering is perpetuated by stigma

12. Update on the current AID/DWD movement in the U.S.
The Death with Dignity Website
Stories
Seven in ten Americans support Death with Dignity as an end-of-life option for the terminally ill; most people join our movement because of a heartbreaking personal experience. We receive stories of such experiences every day, and every day they inspire us to work toward ensuring terminally-ill Americans have the freedom to decide how they die.
What can we do if we care about death with dignity and peace? Tell the stories of our loved ones who die with more suffering than they should; listen to the voices of others who eloquently spoke of their suffering and desire to die with dignity…
—Jason Barber

13. Open Discussion
Update In my jurisdiction: NM HB… (Sponsored by a suffering legislator) SB… have gained traction… and may well be on the way to passage by 2019 legislative session.
How has stigma around AID/DWD hindered or advanced the movement in your jurisdiction.?
What death with dignity or aid in dying story do you have to tell?

14. Death with Dignity National Center

15. References and Resources
Death with Dignity National Center:
Mahajan, A. P., Sayles, J. N., Patel, V. A., Remien, R. H., Ortiz, D., Szekeres, G., & Coates, T. J. (2008). Stigma in the HIV/AIDS epidemic: A review of the literature and recommendations for the way forward. AIDS (London, England), 22(Suppl 2), S67–S79.
Suffering, shame, and silence: The stigma of HIV/AIDSDuffy, Lynne Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care , Volume 16 , Issue 1 ,