Opinion: Right to Die Billboard Sends the Wrong Message

Well written thoughts John. Our Mom (91) refused to eat and take medication the last month of her life . Had a a stroke. Unable to swallow, talk, in simi-coma state and unable to communicate with anyone we decided not to take heroic measures to prolong the inevitable. She passed away peacefully.

Why is this sign so shocking? It only allows someone to make a life or death decision about his or her own life. Its not as shocking as someone making a life or death decision about another's life - such as a murder or to have an aortion like the pro-abortionists advocate
Truthfully, they are all shocking and a sign of the moral degeneration of a culture. If life is unimportant, what will be important? Once life is accepted as unimportant, every decision thereafter is downhill

I think you're exactly right johnemac44! I believe that anyone should be able to exit this life with dignity. It shouldn't be the state's choice, my family's choice, or my neighbor's choice. If I want to exit this world before my illness renders me unable to make any choices and I have to suffer with someone else's choice, then I should be able to choose! So what if I'm depressed. Most people would be depressed when handed a "life sentence"! My docs have told me 6 months to a year, but most likely within the next 3-4 months. He advised he will do what he's allowed to do to keep me pain free, but he also cautioned me that the State has "tied his hands" and what is "legal" for him to give will most likely only take the edge off the pain when I'm awake, and make me sleep away the precious time I have left.
Parents should talk to their children and ask them what they think on this subject. That way, if the child is simply depressed, perhaps they can treat it. I'm for informing the children so they can make educated decisions for themselves when the time comes.

Incidious illness and horrible, painful deaths are not limited to the very elderly! And that's why the word 'CHOICE'. And when are we ever going to stop taking everything and turning it around to be dangerous/detrimental/wrong for children/teens/young people???? Stop protecting them from every...little...thing. How did we EVER live to this age? Apparently, my crib should have killed me in the 50s! If a depressed kid wants to check out, chances are this billboard won't make a damn bit of difference!

I do not often read these things and feel compelled to respond, but I was horified at some of the comments. This article is not about how right or wrong euthaniasia is- it is about how much influence the billboard would have on a suicidal teen. Speaking as a therapist who works with adolescents and their families, there are a few things I feel compelled to say:
1) Depression is caused by a biochemical imbalance in the brain. It is NOT a character flaw, the result of poor parenting, or the result of a lack of intelligence. And to imply so is extremely insulting and ignorant- it's like saying that someone who has cancer was just too stupid to avoid the disease. Please do your homework before you comment.
2) The billboard appeals to people wanting to have control over their lives. Teenagers are famous for trying to gain control over their lives, so yes, it does appeal to them!
3)Teenagers are notorious for making poor decisions because they do not fully consider the ramifications of their choice (so yes, a billboard could be all it takes) nor do they consult more knowledgable people (i.e. their parents). As a group, teenagers are usually very secretive, so the suicidal teenager is not likely to inform their parents of their decision to commit suicide.
4) Several people have commented that it is not society's job to protect other people's children. If this is true,why do we have laws about how and where we can advertise for cigarettes, alcohol, and condoms? Why should suicide be any different?

And yes this group does have the right to free speach, but that doesn't mean that they get to be irresponsible. Their message doesn't need to be displayed in such a public place where it could, and most likely will, be read by someone that it was not intended for.

My son, who is 14, and I are sitting here and we were talking about this billboard. My son thinks that it is not right and it should be taken down. It gives the wrong ideas to kids. I agree with him. I was a depressed child. So was my older brother, at 19 he decided to end his life because he was very depressed about his life. If I would have seen this billboard when I was a depressed child I would have gone to the website and probably tried to kill my self. PLEASE for all the children who are hurting out there take this sign down and give them a chance. Put up something that will encourage them. Like Lisa said it would be great for the hospitals to do something but please do not advertise it to children.

I agree with you 100%. You being a nurse, I am sure you see so much suffering , and I think that people like you should stand up and let others know what you see in people that suffer.

CONCISE TO THE POINT, NO PULLING OF ANY PUNCHES, CALLING A SPADE A SPADE. YOU ARE ON TARGET, SHOULD BE A PART OF EVERY PATIENTS BILL OF RIGHTS .

BUT I MUST REMIND YOU, THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE THAT MUST LIVE UNTIL GOD CALLS THEM HOME, Okay ---------------.
SO THEY SUFFER AND SUFFER WITH INCURABLE AILMENTS, UNTIL GOD COMES DOWN AND CARRY THEM HOME . So Be It.

Being depressed does not make you "bad." I spent time in high school considering suicide and I was always a good kid, but life and puberty screw with your head in unpleasant ways and even the best kids don't always make it out alive. I lost a good friend that way, someone who wasn't able to get himself out. He was smart, funny, sweet ad an all around incredible person. I have no idea what made him do it, but when you're depressed, there doesn't need to be a rational explanation for that sort of thing. No, a sign is probably not going to push a happy kid to suicide, but it could easily be a rallying cry for someone with emotional problems. Try a bit of sensitivity sometime.

Children are NOT good by "choice". Children are TAUGHT to be good people. We are BORN SELFISH. I have never met a 8 month old that cared what time of the night it was when they were hungry. They dont care what time you have to get up. All they care about is they are hungry NOW.
We ARE what we consume. If we eat healthy we ARE healthy. If we listen to hate we will BE hate. If we are shown love we will SHOW love. If we are taught ignorance (like you obviously have been) then we speak ignorance (like you just did).
See proof is in your comment.

Good Sign. It supports my belief in the right to die. Wrong place maybe? I agree that this sign is not very likely to cause anyone to take their life, troubled teen or otherwise.

What if I don't believe in Your God,does that mean you get to choose for me,thats a load of BS.

Brenda, you sound so ignorant, it's scary. Go be a godbotherer somewhere else.

Brenda, I think I understand what you're saying, unlike others who simply appear to believe you're a religous fanatic. You mean to say that only God can take back what he bestowed on us, correct? This only stems from your own personal beliefs, so others were harsh in thier response. But I totally agree with you.