I don't know, Tri Dog. I can see your point but would have to say that, I could only agree with it if there was a "greater level of equity and knowledge" (it's in quotes as it is a somewhat vague term) regarding disability. We often talk about how the biggest obstacles are not really disability-related but attitudinal and societal barriers; people's misperceptions and stereotypes of disability.
If someone is making a decision about the value of their life based on those stereotypes and misperceptions, then how can we believe that it truly is a "quality of life" issue? That individual's decision isn't made on the facts of what life is like with that disability but on what they think that life would be like. Prior to my disability, I had similar thoughts. And even today, there are far too many people who have no idea how a blind person can use a computer or be an engineer, or how a wheelchair-user can have sex and so the assumption is that much of life is cut off when someone acquires a disability.
I think, if there was a mechanism to ensure that individuals who acquire disabilities are given the actual knowledge and information of what their life would/could really be like; if there was some sort of "buddy" program where they could talk to other people like them, or at least gain some insight that goes beyond the usual stereotypes, then I would very firmly agree with you. I think that is why I am such a strong supporter of some of the disability-sports programs. I have seen what that can do for many vets coming back from overseas. Sports (fencing in particular) let me see that I could remain active and I wouldn't lose that athleticism that, to me, was so important to my life.
William Peace over at Bad Cripple (http://badcripple.blogspot.com/2008/10/daniel-james-in-uk-news.html) I think explains it better than I can. Excerpt below:
"In the Herald Colette Douglas Home wrote a story entitled "Was Daniel's Death the Final Act of Parental Love?". She stated that "sporting men of 23 are like unbroken colts. They are vital, forceful personalities; physical creatures with boundless energy. Their heads are filled with dreams and ambitions". At no point in my life have I ever felt "condemned" by my inability to walk or move my legs. The vitality that Homes describes has more to do with youthful enthusiasm than sporting life. Indeed, it appears as though only physically fit young men are capable of dreaming big and possess boundless energy. This outlook she assumes is beyond the ability and imagination of disabled people.
...Mr. James was injured just 18 months and was not terminally ill. He had everything to live for that any other 23 year old looks forward to who can walk. Again, this line of reasoning is based on the assumption death is preferable to life as a disabled person. Let's try changing the variables and see if thoughts of suicide are considered "normal": What if a child was clinically depressed, bipolar, or raped? Would suicide be considered an option?
...What I keep returning to is not the discussion about the parents role in their son's death but the social failure that enabled it to take place. This social failure will not garner any headlines, prompt people to get into a fierce debate about quality of life issues, or make people turn on the TV news. The only way to change the social perception of disability and prevent other deaths such as Mr. James is for society to accept and incorporate disabled people into mainstream society. For that to happen, accessible and affordable homes and mass transportations must exist. Barriers to inclusion in the work force and in schools for disabled people must be stopped. In short, disability must become ordinary, a part of life for some but certainly not all. When I can leave my own front door and not worry about being accosted socially than I will know equality exists. Until all disabled people share that same sense of equality needless deaths like Mr. James will continue.
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