Brittany Maynard leaves a wonderful legacy.

I don't know why i do it but i do, i read the news several times a day.  I've often wondered how a news outlet would fare if it only reported good news.  I can't be the only one who has thought of that, maybe the voyeur in all of us is only interested in reading about things that perversely frighten us.  Every once in a while however in this cesspit of negativity i come across a unique story that grasps my attention and that's exactly what happened about a week ago when i stumbled across the Brittany Maynard story.  For those unfamiliar with what I'm talking about, it's a story about a beautiful young woman who was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer and was given about 6 months to live.  Rather than add another month or two to her life by undergoing Chemotherapy she decided to die on her own terms.  Had Brittany decided to undergo Chemo she would have had almost zero chance of remission however she would have lost her hair, fried her scalp and endured excruciating suffering, as would her heartbroken family.

The beautiful Californian was just 29 years old, she was happily married to her amazing husband Dan, hoping to start a family with a head full of dreams.  She soon however developed migraines, after a series of tests she was given the news we all dread, terminal brain cancer.  With being just 29 years old she was faced with an awful dilemma, whilst there was virtually no chance of survival from this awful affliction she was faced with the problem of a very healthy body and a not so healthy brain.  The upshot being that her death would be slow and painful.

I don't know exactly what the Maynard's did next, an exact timeline isn't important but i would imagine they retreated to their home and quite quickly accepted Britt's horrific diagnosis.  What happened next, make no mistake about it is the personification of bravery, faced with her own imminent mortality and the probability of surviving this, she faced it head on and left a legacy that will benefit others who sadly will find themselves with the same decision every single day, for years to come.  This incredibly brave young woman decided to move from California to Oregon due to the fact they are one of only 3 states along with Washington and Vermont who allow an individual to die with dignity.

Think about that last sentence for a second, then digest the absurdity of that. We as a nation pride ourselves on separation of church and state, I believe it was Freud who said "Life itself has a very poor prognosis that always results in death".  There used to be two certainties, death and taxes, well taxes I'm not sure about but there is no escaping death, we're all going to die.  Given that certainty, why is it illegal to take YOUR own life?  If you're a grown adult of sound mind how does a bureaucracy have the right to tell you that you MUST go on living?  What human being has the right to COMMAND that of another?  Especially those faced with a terminal illness that will otherwise result in inexplicable suffering.  To remove an individuals right to terminate their own life is not only a deplorable deprivation of what is a fundamental human right, it is also egregious arrogance.  That decision does not belong in the hands of legislators, it's the sole right of every sound minded individual of when they take their life.  Perhaps the only aspect of this process that legislators have a right to interfere with is where and how but never never when.

The opprobrium the Maynard's have received from the religious community is equally inclement.  I don't care what your interpretation of your scripture is,  you have absolutely no right to condemn another individuals decision.  A scripture that is now increasingly abstract that relies on metaphorical translation where in other areas it's literal.  Let's just say, it's ah open to interpretation and it's quite possible that it's being interpreted wrong.  Regardless, when the state implement laws where the motivation appears to be scripture then thats a violation of this country's constitution for our forefathers saw the carnage church and state caused in Europe and rightfully separated it.

Rather than die an anonymous death, Brittany chose to write op-eds for mainstream media, her condition was given national and international attention which was exactly the purpose. She courageously made a bucket list and with her husband Dan she saw them all, finishing off with a serene solitary moment with her husband as he gave her back to mother nature.

Despite the fact she had been given a terminal diagnosis, it is still incredibly brave to take a medication to end her own life.  How do you pick that moment?  How do you say "ok, give it to me now" and surely in the back of her mind she was thinking, what if a miracle happens and i improve or a cure is found? In the end there was no miracle, there was no cure, Britt decided to bravely take that next step in her journey and as devastating as it is, i still believe her family was lucky, they got to prepare for her death, they got to ask her the important questions and they got to say goodbye, a privilege that most don't get, something i know only too well.

When a life and it's legacy is evaluated, often we ask how they impacted others.  The  answer to that question is usually your legacy.  After all the exaggerated eulogies have been espoused and the normality resumes, Brittany will have left behind an uncomfortable truth for state legislators, Americans in 49 states are enduring state sponsored torture as they're lives are cruelly maintained for no logical reason other than winning votes and assuaging the conscience of ignorant constituents who think they have a right to tell another human being that their life isn't theirs to end.  Thankfully places like Oregon exists, a refuge from the madness and because of Brittany many more Americans are asking, why can't a human being die with dignity?  There is no credible argument against it.

Phil Brown

www.deathwithdignity.org

www.thebrittanyfund.org