Supreme Court Decides Gonzales v. Oregon

The Supreme Court decided the "Death With Dignity" case, Gonzales v. Oregon [Download Gonzales_v. Oregon.pdf] , in favor of Oregon's state statute that permits physician-assisted suicide. The Disability Law Blog has an excellent summary of the case and the newspaper coverage from around the country.  The case was decided on the basis of federalism principles, and the lack of  authority of the U.S. Attorney General to invalidate this statute.  The decision does not  address the fundamental clash of values between groups like Not Dead Yet which advocates against physician-assisted suicide on the basis that for the disabled a right to die will become a duty to die, and proponents of physician-assisted suicide. 

Physician assisted-suicide raises issues as to the perceived value of an individual with a disability to society, to their physician and to themselves. Groups arguing against the Oregon law point out that:

"It's not just doctors who believe that life with a disability isn't worth living. Almost everyone who's not disabled thinks being disabled is a horrid fate -- and many disabled people do, too."

These are discussions that are not taking place in the media, in society and for that matter in our schools.  The Gonzales case cuts across  political, ideological, and religious positions.  In most schools there is little, if any, disability curriculum.  Given the demographics of our society this is an important educational opportunity lost.  As part of inclusion, schools should address hard questions of what it is to have a disability, and how society responds to people with disabilities.

This case will not be the last to address issues surrounding what it means to live with a serious illness or a disability. It is incumbent upon schools to take up these issues and to meaningfully address what it is to be disabled, and not rely on assumptions and preconceived ideas.  These are complex issues that should not be ignored in schools.  Disability is a fact of life that will touch us, a parent or other loved one.  As a colleague who had lupus and was in a wheelchair wryly remarked to me: "you may look at me as being disabled, I look look at you as being temporarily abled."

 

Comments

[George]

"It's not just doctors who believe that life with a disability isn't worth living. Almost everyone who's not disabled thinks being disabled is a horrid fate -- and many disabled people do, too."

Doesn't that cause you to get UP-SET!

Take a stand brother!

Did you know that 90% of children with Downs are aborted!

GOD DON'T MAKE JUNK!