LETTER: Please vote "Yes" on Question 2

To the Editor:

I speak as a person who has Parkinson’s  Disease. Presently, there is no cure. and the most effective medication causes many other problems. It is effective for a period of time then gradually loses its positive effects. The medication needs to be increased, then the frequency increased, until it is no longer effective. The longer you take the medicine, the more likely you are to have the negative side effects. Everyone is affected differently. Some people have a combination of slowness, tremors and walking difficulties, others with drooling, falling and swallowing etc. Everyone with Parkinson's gradually loses control of EVERY muscle. Pain is involved because of the constant tremors, tension in the muscles, inability to reposition, or let someone know what would help. Eventually, it is impossible to eat, talk, blink, make any physical movements, control bowel or bladder etc. In other words, I will be completely dependent for everything and there will be no way to make my needs known.

I look at life with my cup half full (instead of half empty) and also look for a positive within every negative. I do not ask “Why me?” But I do ask for the opportunity to have my life end with dignity.   Not only for me,  but also for the benefit of my family and friends also. This should be something every individual should have the opportunity to control. If our animal is suffering, we have the opportunity to help them by putting them out of their misery.

This Bill is written so the patient is in charge. The states which have already made this law have reported that a percentage of patients who make the request do not use it. That is their choice -- at least they have that choice!

Patricia King

Tewksbury