Dear Nathene Arthur,
It is too bad that you are dismayed about Mrs. Needham’s decision to choose MAID as it is entirely a personal one. Unless you are familiar with Mrs. Needham’s suffering, you have no right to comment on her choice.
“Pain is inevitable, misery is optional” sounds delightful, and you may count yourself lucky if you haven’t experienced any of the many degrees of suffering that can afflict a person. Nobody promoted this “legal practice” of MAID but the topic of death and dying should indeed be discussed as it affects all of us sooner or later.
Do you truly believe that Mrs. Needham did not take a solid six months to explore her and her family’s feelings? I would assume she did much more than that. What you obviously do not understand is that there are illnesses that have become unmanageable, and therefore unbearable.
My daughter Jenna had suffered through 60 invasive surgeries, fought every day to stay alive and positive. She suffered greatly throughout all the years of her life only to be told by an ignorant and self righteous person that she should put on a smile and praise the lord.
Jenna died last year at the age of 36 not ever having had a chance to finish her education, get married or become a mother. My daughter did not die with the help of MAID but made a conscious decision to refuse all further treatment when her suffering became intolerable. It left me, her mother, without my beloved daughter but also did it leave me with a great sense of peace.
Mrs. Arthur, before you voice any more of your opinions I suggest you first try to walk in the shoes of those who suffer more than just a bad hair day. All those beautiful quotes you mentioned are just that, words. I can assure you that my daughter and Mrs. Needham have fought long and hard to not go gently into that good night. In the end they fought equally hard to be allowed to walk into a bright new day.
Thank you to the Cochrane Eagle to publish Mrs. Needham’s story and decision. May she have been embraced by a bright new dawn.
Sue Cupples
Cochrane, AB
