Dr. Elbert Ted Rulison, 97, left, and his wife, Jean, 87, pictured at their Cameron Park, California home, December 7, 2012, have been married 64 years. Dr. Rulison is an advocate for the “Right to Die” movement. He has a vial of the narcotic Dolophine in his safe, and will self-administer a lethal dose should he suffer a severe heart attack or stroke.
Dr. Elbert Ted Rulison, 97, left, and his wife, Jean, 87, pictured at their Cameron Park, California home, December 7, 2012, have been married 64 years. Dr. Rulison is an advocate for the “Right to Die” movement. He has a vial of the narcotic Dolophine in his safe, and will self-administer a lethal dose should he suffer a severe heart attack or stroke. Credit: LOS ANGELES TIMES VIA MCT/Robert Gauthier

I was glad to read longtime Northampton City Councilor Marianne LaBarge’s letter in support of the Death with Dignity bill in the legislature.  

I’ve heard her speak publicly about this issue, and each time she shared so movingly about her own experience of loved ones having painful deaths that even the best hospice and palliative care services couldn’t relieve.

I too share a similar perspective. My father died at my home a few years ago, and it was very difficult to watch him suffer in his final weeks. As a terminally ill person of sound mind, he often asked for and would have chosen the Death with Dignity option if our state allowed it as seven other states already do.

I think it’s high time we do the same and pass “The End of Life Options Act” to give terminally ill citizens of sound mind the option of medical and compassionate aid in dying. For those who experience unbearable pain and unrelieved suffering at the end of their lives, it would allow them to take a medication prescribed by their doctor that would ensure a peaceful, humane death. We provide this option to our beloved pets, so why not allow our loved ones the same?

In the other states that have had Death with Dignity laws in the past 21 years, many people who qualify and receive the medication don’t even end up taking it. Just knowing they had this option gave them greater peace of mind and ability to deal with the suffering they faced at the end.

I’m glad that Hampshire County and many other western Mass. legislators are supporters and co-sponsors of this bill. If you know anyone in Springfield, Chicopee, West Springfield, Pittsfield or Worcester, tell them to contact their legislators to support it, too.

Nancy Paglia
Leverett