During three years of planning with Final Exit guides, Kurt has deliberated the issue of killing himself. It seems that Kurt may get the help he needs since his plans to kill himself have been foiled. We in the pro-life movement are pleased that Kurt is alive, and hope he receives both the medical and emotional support that someone suffering from chronic illness deserves. Death is not a compassionate alternative. But, society needs to reach out to people with chronic illness and offer hope, comfort and support.
Kurt was suffering from Charcot-Marie-Tooth or CMT, one of the most common inherited disorders in America. It weakens muscles in the extremities, but according to the CMT Association, it "usually isn't life threatening, and almost never affects brain funtioning." Dr. Michael Shy, director of the CMT Clinic in Michigan said "in severe cases, such as Perry's the disorder's symptoms often stabilize with time." "It's my opinion, he's not going to progress."
Society needs to reach out. We have to ask ourselves, where have we failed Kurt? Why is he choosing to end his own life, rather than be surrounded by supportive people. I guess that's a question each of us have to ask ourselves. In a society filled with health care spas, and that stesses youth and beauty as our culture does, a person like Kurt will naturally feel marginalized.
This marginalization leads to euthanasia.
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