The opposition to Arizona End of Life Options makes a number of unfounded statements regarding the medical aid in dying law. We have listed five of those "Myths" and written the "Facts" for your review. 

1.  The opposition says MAID Devalues Human Life:  Over time, PAS (physician assisted suicide) statutes create a society where it is believed that some lives are just not worth living.

The Reality
·       The increase in use of Medical Aid in Dying is a testimony to people deciding to die with dignity not that life is not worth living. The number of jurisdictions which sanction MAID in the U.S. is steadily growing because of the value people find in managing end of life decisions.
·       People who choose this law have done everything in their power to live. They want the dignity of dying a good death rather than one filled with pain and anxiety.

2.  The opposition says that MAID is Physician Assisted Suicide (PAS): Studies show “existential distress” and “psychological suffering” rather than “unbearable pain” are the primary reasons a patient requests lethal medication.  If dying patients struggle with suicidal thoughts, they need counseling.

The Reality
·       Medical Aid in Dying is not suicide. Those who commit suicide face a violent death, are usually alone, leave a mess to clean up, experience overwhelming terror, anxiety, and sadness, are not rational nor making clear decisions, and leave loved ones without the opportunity to say goodbye or have closure.
·       Patients who choose MAID are calm, sure of their decision, in a comfortable place, of sound mind, without fear and anxiety, and are assured that the loved ones around them have had a chance to say goodbye.
·       If there is concern about depression in the terminal patient, the law requires the opinion of a psychiatrist or psychologist. 
·       Not all terminal suffering can be relieved.  Why should anyone — the state, the medical profession, religious bodies — presume to tell someone else how much suffering they must endure as their life is ending?

Read Three More Myths about Medical Aid in Dying That Don't Hold Up

“Hi, I’m Marie MacWhyte
and I’ll be your Moderator today.”

Marie has been the moderator of the “Six Choices” webinars that are held on Zoom since they started last summer. She is also editor of AZELO’s newsletter and is the Digital Marketing Lead for Arizona End of Life Options.

When the pandemic hit Arizona with a BANG last spring, I realized I’d have to make a major shift in my daily routine to stay sane.  I decided to dive into the Arizona End-of-Life Options campaign and have been deeply involved ever since!  I learned to use Premiere Pro video editing software for my first project: My Voice, My Choice: Arizona Residents Speak Out. I’ve also honed my photoshop and social media skills. There is so much that can be done when you’re trying to educate a state of 7 million people that I've pretty much been able to write my own job description and boy, have I been busy! It's been the perfect way so spend my time, doing things I enjoy, learning and expanding my skills, and all for a very good cause.

Why AZELO? Well, it's because I’m passionate about Medical Aid in Dying.  You see, three generations of women before me, my mother, grandmother and great-grandmother died bad deaths despite their intentions to die well. I want to help make dying a good death possible in Arizona.

Read my Story of Three Generation of Bad Deaths and How I'm Working on Changing the Tradition

Interview with Dr Dwight Moore