To The Editor:

While I respect the moral concerns in David Kean’s letter regarding “Assisted Suicide,” it’s important to clarify what Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) actually entails.

Death with Dignity is a specific end-of-life option distinct from traditional suicide, euthanasia, or assisted suicide (third party administration of drug). Palliative (Hospice) care is the norm here and MAID is a small subset.

We are not Spain nor Canada. Here in the United States, we have strict laws. MAID allows a mentally competent adult (18+) with a terminal illness (prognosis of 6 months or less to live, confirmed by TWO physicians) to request a prescription for lethal medication. It is not available based solely on age, disability, or mental illness.

The patient must:

Make the request voluntarily, multiple times (oral & written).

Self-administer (ingest) the medication — a doctor does not inject or administer it.

Retain full decision-making capacity; mental health screening is often required if concerns arise.

Mr. Kean says he wants us to stand firm on the sanctity of life. Even if that life is terminal with inevitable death? Even if that life is suffering & facing a painful demise? What about quality of life? Have you ever sat beside someone as they were dying? I know the reality of unrelenting suffering from personal experience. My mother died at just 49 after multiple surgeries and years of relentless pain that no treatment could relieve. Our family was profoundly grateful for the Hospice care she received at our Newtown home in her final weeks. I was so moved by that compassionate care that I became a Hospice Volunteer in my 20s and still today, I support families through end-of-life journeys. Even with excellent hospice, I wish she had the legal option for MAID. It’s about choice.

MAID is a compassionate option for unbearable suffering in terminal cases, giving patients control over the timing and manner of their death to avoid prolonged agony like my mother. Legal in Oregon since 1994, most users have cancer, are enrolled in Hospice, or cite loss of autonomy. In fact, only about 0.3-0.5% of deaths involve MAID. A majority of dying patients do NOT self-administer; just knowing it is available to them provides peace of mind.

I respect those who would never choose MAID for themselves or their loved ones. But for some terminally ill people and their families, the absence of this option prolongs agony rather than preserving life.

Connecticut proposals similarly focus on terminal cases with safeguards. This debate deserves honest discussion of autonomy, suffering, palliative care access, and potential risks — without conflating distinct practices.

Karen Pierce

Newtown