"Where Do I Sign?"

Randee is a volunteer with Dignity 2012, and recently helped to collect signatures for the Massachusetts Death with Dignity effort. She's one of the founders of Hampshire County Hospice, served on their first Board of Directors, and was their first Volunteer Coordinator. She's also a member of the Funeral Consumers Alliance of Western Massachusetts, served as a Trustee, and was President of Western Massachusetts Hemlock Society for many years. She's provided support and education around death and dying issues to her community for over 30 years. She lives and works in western Massachusetts.

I recently had the honor to collect signatures here in Massachusetts for the initiative petition on Death With Dignity. I say it was an honor because this petition, if it makes it to the ballot box in November 2012, will afford those who choose to end their lives with dignity and respect the opportunity to do so.

As I stood out on the streets and approached folks I was fearful of the reactions I might encounter. Would people shake their heads "no" and walk away or curse me out? I do live in a five-college community but still one never knows. I know I don't like being accosted by people with clipboards myself; so, I was very careful to be polite and respectful.

The good news is no one said "no," walked away, or ignored me. Most people asked "where do I sign?" after they understood what the petition was about. No one wanted any further explanation.

In Greenfield, I asked a woman if she'd be interested in signing and she shook her head "yes" as I handed her the clipboard. She took her time and as she was writing a tear trickled down her cheek and more came. All the while she didn't speak. Finally she was finished and handed the clipboard back to me. I asked if she was OK and she said her dad had died recently and it was a horrific experience of suffering and incalculable pain. She said if Death with Dignity was in effect, his death would have been so very different. She thanked me for collecting signatures and walked away.

More Headlines

Nov. 21, 2011	"Where Do I Sign?"
Nov. 3, 2011	2011 Annual Report
Sept. 9, 2011	Massachusetts joins Vermont in home-grown Death with Dignity efforts.
Aug. 12, 2011	Vermont Death with Dignity Update
Aug. 10, 2011	The Facts about Death with Dignity

See all headlines

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You are the key to ensuring well-crafted Death with Dignity laws for all Americans. With your financial and volunteer help, the Death with Dignity National Center, a 501(c)(3), non-partisan, non-profit organization, has been the leading advocate in the death with dignity movement. Member contributions helped us pass a new Death with Dignity law in Washington, defend the Oregon law, and provide education and outreach programs for the vitality of the death with dignity movement.

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The Oregon Death with Dignity Political Action Fund partners with the Death with Dignity National Center and conducts lobbying and political activities in order to achieve the enactment of Death with Dignity laws in other states.

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History

The Oregon Death with Dignity Political Action Fund (the Fund) began in 1993 as Oregon Right to Die, a state political action committee, formed to help pass the Oregon Death with Dignity Act. The Death with Dignity Act was tied up by legal challenges and a legislative repeal effort until the fall of 1997.

In late 2001, Oregon Right to Die changed its name and tax status to become the Oregon Death with Dignity Political Action Fund. This effort was undertaken so the organization could more easily combine its political strengths with the Death with Dignity National Center. Together these organizations are positioned to lead the charge in the death with dignity movement.

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