[nfb-db] Fwd: [Nfbnet-members-list] National Federation of the Blind Comments on Belgian Euthanasia of Deaf Men Losing Sight

Wed Jan 16 17:23:17 UTC 2013

The way this was reported in mainstream media over the internet made it
seem like the only issue was blindness. This is not good. Many people do
not understand blindness and need education. This story mentioned nothing
about pain or other disorders and it was spread all over the internet.This
is really bad, people who are losing their sight might think that it is ok
to die over it instead of getting the education needed. Others might assume
that deaf people losing their vision want to die only for that reason. I
know pain and quality of life is an issue and it's good that they have that
option in Belgem for those that need it.
However, the way this was presented we now have to fight the negative image
of blindness that may have resulted. This article is the one prospective
that most people reading it will ever have on the issue and there fore we
must respond to that prospective.
Thanks,
Beth Koenig
On Jan 16, 2013 6:29 AM, "Scott Davert" <scottdavert at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hello all.
> As is always the case, there is a lot more to the story. As it turns
> out, one of the twins could only sleep while sitting up, and the other
> had significant spinal issues to the point where he could barrily
> walk. Also, both were having greater difficulty eating and also were
> having trouble keeping pain medication down. They were supposedly in a
> great deal of physical pain. Why does NFB not report this as well? In
> fact, their orriginal statement is how awful it is, and the next
> paragraph they're asking for donations. I'm a bit shocked that it was
> done that way, and also disturbed by the fact that this was not
> researched better.
>  Whether you agree with the fact that the twins came to the decision
> they did, it's best to do a bit of your own research and then draw
> your conclusions, as the leaders of this organization have clearly not
> done. All the blindness and deaf-blindness organizations are focusing
> on the deaf-blind part of this, even though there is much more to the
> story. I believe this is why the World Federation of the deaf-blind
> has not released a statement on this yet. They're gathering all the
> facts and they realize there is more to this isssue than just
> deaf-blindness.
> However, while on the topic of education, it's certainly an important
> topic to spread. Parts of even Belgium do not have a deaf-blind
> organization. The French part of the country does not have such
> associations as the Flemish part, and I suspect part of the education
> issue may sstemm from the difference in languages. I know France has a
> deaf-blind association, and perhaps the French part of the country
> should reach out to them, but I have no idea beyond these facts as to
> what is going on over there. I'm also not sure if the twin brothers
> were residing in the Flemish or French part of Belgium.
>
> Scott
>
> On 1/16/13, Marsha Drenth <marsha.drenth at gmail.com> wrote:
> > Janice,
> >
> > I saw this. Its sad, very very sad. I understand that people have the
> right
> > to do what they please with there own lives. But I imagine that those
> > individuals have no clue what a DB person could do. Do they not know of
> > Helen Keller? Its like me, because I am losing my hearing, I am going to
> go
> > and kill myself, which I am not going to do. Yes we all have challenges.
> And
> > maybe those men don't know what or how to deal with the challenges. This
> is
> > where education is needed. I agree completely and totally!
> >
> > Marsha drenth
> > Sent with my IPhone
> > http://adventureswith2feet4paws.blogspot.com
> >
> > On Jan 16, 2013, at 8:14 AM, Janice Toothman <
> janice.toothman at verizon.net>
> > wrote:
> >
> >> I am shocked and saddened my this news. This emphasizes the need for
> >> education on deaf-blindness.
> >> Janice
> >>
> >>
> >> -------- Original Message --------
> >> Subject:     [Nfbnet-members-list] National Federation of the Blind
> Comments
> >> on Belgian Euthanasia of Deaf Men Losing Sight
> >> Date:        Tue, 15 Jan 2013 21:00:33 -0600
> >> From:        David Andrews <dandrews at visi.com>
> >> To:  nfbnet-members-list at nfbnet.org
> >>
> >>
> >> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
> >>
> >> CONTACT:
> >> Chris Danielsen
> >> Director of Public Relations
> >> National Federation of the Blind
> >> (410) 659-9314, extension 2330
> >> (410) 262-1281 (Cell)
> >> cdanielsen at nfb.org
> >>
> >> National Federation of the Blind Comments on
> >> Belgian Euthanasia of Deaf Men Losing Sight
> >>
> >> Baltimore, Maryland (January 15, 2013): The National Federation of the
> >> Blind, the largest organization of blind people in the United States
> with
> >> over 50,000 members, including many deaf-blind individuals, commented
> >> today on the state-sanctioned death by lethal injection of deaf twins in
> >> Belgium.  Upon learning that they were also going blind, the deaf twins
> >> sought and were granted euthanasia.
> >>
> >> Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind,
> said:
> >> “This disturbing news from Belgium is       a stark example of the
> common,
> >> and in this case tragic, misunderstanding of disability and its
> >> consequences.  Adjustment to any disability is difficult, and deaf-blind
> >> people face their own particular challenges, but from at least the time
> of
> >> Helen Keller it has been known that these challenges can be met, and the
> >> technology and services available today have vastly improved prospects
> for
> >> the deaf-blind and others with disabilities.  That these men wanted to
> die
> >> is tragic; that the state sanctioned and aided their suicide is
> >> frightening.”
> >>
> >>
> >> The National Federation of the Blind needs your support to ensure that
> >> blind children get an equal education, to connect blind veterans with
> the
> >> training and services they need, and to help seniors who are losing
> vision
> >> continue to live independent and fulfilling lives. To make a donation,
> >> please go to www.nfb.org.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> ###
> >>
> >>
> >> About the National Federation of the Blind
> >>
> >>
> >> The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) is the oldest, largest, and
> >> most influential nationwide membership organization of blind people in
> the
> >> United States.  Founded in 1940, the NFB advocates for the civil rights
> >> and equality of blind Americans, and develops innovative education,
> >> technology, and training programs to provide the blind and those who are
> >> losing vision with the tools they need to become independent and
> >> successful.  We need your support.  To make a donation, please go to
> >> www.nfb.org.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> <Attached Message Part>
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> >
>
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