An editorial: 'Death with Dignity' through the eyes of Cindy Williams

NEWS CENTER Maine's Cindy Williams shares how a family journey shaped her thoughts on the 'death with dignity', or assisted suicide, bill in Maine.

[@mainemade1418]

Thank you, Cindy, for such an eloquent, personal editorial. I could feel your admiration and love for your mother-in-law in such a palpable way. Tears, anguish, empathy, goosebumps, and connection-not things we are accustomed to experiencing at the same time-and only some will truly understand. My brother died of stomach cancer at the age of 48. He went from a strong, vivacious, larger-than-life man to a fragile, "walking skeleton"-his words-in a matter of a few months. He, too, starved to death, hooked up to a morphine pump that did not ease his suffering. He lasted as long as he did because his heart was strong and determined to fight what was literally eating him alive. Torturous does not even describe what he, and we as a family, went through in his final days, hours, minutes. Your family understands. I pray that our Governor does, too. ~

[@iamfreehappyandsecure9202]

Thank you so much. It is wrong how we treat death and dying. If we're at the end we should be able to choose when to go.

[@tammyramos6]

Very gracefully done thank you and sorry for your pain and loss.

[@Maliceah]

Thank you Cindy for sharing this moving personal experience. I am fully in support of this bill and hope that Governor Mills either signs it or just allows it to carry forward. One of my cousins took 13 days to die (she was in her 80's) by starving to death, and one of my cousins took about a week to die after she started refusing food. She'd had a traumatic stroke and had lost the ability to speak properly so she couldn't say anything except "momma" and couldn't express what she wanted, so she just started pursing her lips and refusing food and water. I watched another cousin waste away from Parkinson's. He also died without dignity in a nursing home I will not name, but he had a bedsore the size of a golfball, and he was only in there 9 months. He also starved to death because Parkinson's steals your ability to swallow. He should have had choices.

[@trubrit5036]

Excellent video! As a Stage IV patient living in a state where I cannot chose a peaceful death, yet; you speak eloquently how I feel.

[@christchurchnorway4044]

Beautifully done.

[@ajmackenzie26]

Beautifully said Cindy.

[@larrywright5700]

My dad died 50 years ago. I can still hear him say, "There's a lot worse things than death." In my opinion--do gooders should just mind their own business..

[@chnalvr]

In 2021 only 9 states and the District of Columbia have "Death With Dignity" laws. It might be wise to research the state you plan to retire in to see if it is an option. We offer this to our beloved dogs and cats when they are terminally ill. Don't the people we love deserve the same option, if it is needed?

[@mandysmith7326]

Amen

[@gailboyle7613]

We as humans should be able to decide when and how we want to die rather than die in painor choking to death.

[@VABee59]

No that is not true.

[@njsmkmmsthatsit3518]

YEP BRING IT

[@shodowolf]

Yes

[@JohnWilliams-jx9st]

When you are in that much pain you will whant the medicine even the people voted no I garuante e e e e e e e e e e e .....

[@r4ng3rownz8]

Years ago I was going to kill myself because of depression, I kept thinking about it day in and day out. Then the day came and I was going to do it, I got a substance together and took it over to my bed, and just as I was going to take my life I heard an audible voice come from the direction of my ceiling saying "if you do that you will go straight to hell" I looked up at my ceiling and said if that was you God then you can have my life because I don't know what to do with it and three days later I became a Christian and Jesus took all my depression away and I never thought of suicide again.

[@memeteam6236]

Bruh I’ve seen like 8 people post this shit

[@oXowlXo]

You self centered moron, this is a concerning the a right to pass into death with dignity at the end of life not some bogus story of a superhumun being making you happy

[@VABee59]

@@memeteam6236 you have no right to say that. God is real.

[@VABee59]

@@oXowlXo boy are you in for a shock!

[@jaimej9783]

Well your god isn't taking away the pain from the millions of people suffering with the pain of cancer and other terminal illnesses, so no comparison

[@VABee59]

God put me here, he’ll take me away. He also suffered for us. How can I decide to end my life? This “it’s my choice” thing is wrong in my opinion.

[@potatodar]

It is your choice, it’s your choice not to if it goes against your religion. But not everyone believes the same way and it should be available to those who see it as a viable choice.

[@maryannedelaney]

Death is something we all must experience. It is never okay to end a life whether it is in the beginning or in the end. You are asking for legalized suicide. Death is a part of life. Not everyone suffers as this woman. If the bill passed, it would allow other people to decide whether it is time for you to die, even if you are not ready (i.e. dementia). I would be totally against this bill. I don't know why it was recommended on my feed.

[@memeteam6236]

Why? Any rational person who is content and enjoys life will not commit suicide or even consider it. If you get dealt a fuck all hand in genetics, mental disorders, or overall quality of life why should someone have to suffer?

[@BioBiro]

@@memeteam6236 I guess we'll never know...

[@cl5470]

Let people make their own choices. Your desire to control people is a grave sin.

[@VABee59]

I totally agree with you!

[@chrismassey7563]

I guess these people don't know that death is curse and life is a blessing, this is what happens when you refuse to accept Christ.

[@memeteam6236]

Because suicide erases every single good deed that person has ever done in their life? I believe in Christ but I also choose to support ending your suffering if need be.

[@cl5470]

Please list the scripture that condemns suicide. (Hint: there is none). You are taking the Lord's bane in vain when you make up things He never said. Taking the Lord's name in vain is the only sin you can't be saved from. Yikes.

[@cl5470]

@@memeteam6236 You don't believe in Christ if you think your good deeds mean anything to God. Your best deeds are like soiled rags (meaning tampons) in the eyes of God. The entire point of Christianity is to realize we are all wretched, evil sinners and that no one can get to heaven on their own abilities. We have our value in Christ, not in our deeds. If you could get to heaven on good deeds, you wouldn't need Christ.

[@chrismassey7563]

@@cl5470 Thou shall not murder.

[@VABee59]

@@memeteam6236 you would be very wrong.