Lecture Notes: Brittany Maynard and the Death With Dignity Movement

Introduction

• Speaker: Barbara Coombs Lee
• Background: Nurse, physician assistant, attorney
• Main Focus: Expanding choice and improving end-of-life care
• Key Legislation: Oregon Death With Dignity Act (1994)

Brittany Maynard's Story

• Background: She was diagnosed with brain tumor on New Year's Day, 2014
  • Initially told she might live up to 10 years
  • Opted for aggressive treatment
  • Post-surgery, tumor upgraded to grade 4 glioblastoma
  • Doctors amazed she could walk and talk
• Prognosis: Learned about potential seizures, loss of vision, speech, movement
• Decision: Moved to Oregon to access aid-in-dying

Advocacy and Impact

• Brittany contacted Compassion & Choices for advocacy
• Created a widely viewed video to promote Death With Dignity
• Impact:
  • 16 million views on video
  • 54 million reached on Facebook
  • Influenced legislative change in 25 states
• Spoke with Governor Jerry Brown to support aid-in-dying in California

The Movement

• Aim: Transform American approach to end-of-life care
• Key Points:
  • Aid-in-dying emphasizes patient control over end-of-life decisions
  • Demonstrates priority of patient values over medical industrial imperatives
• Public Perception:
  • People suffer needlessly due to lack of information
  • Advocates for truth in treatment for better decision-making

Brittany's Legacy

• Personal Achievements:
  • Continued living life fully, visiting places like Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon
  • Emphasized love and communication with loved ones
  • Stayed true to her values, taking medication when seizures escalated
• Influence:
  • Inspired others like Jennifer Glass and Christy O'Donnell to continue advocacy
  • Led to a broader consumer movement for end-of-life choices

Conclusion

• Brittany Maynard's story exemplifies the power of individual action in societal change
• Her legacy continues to inspire movements for dignified end-of-life care

Key Takeaway

• "Death With Dignity" allows individuals to maintain their autonomy and make informed end-of-life decisions, reinforcing the importance of personal values and choices.