The following excerpt is from the op-ed, “Dying New Yorkers deserve a peaceful end with medical aid,” by Raymond Stark that first appeared in the Adirondack Daily Enterprise on November 5, 2022.
Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, I’m in this spot in my hospital bed, just waiting for the axe to fall and the end to come.
I’ve spent my whole adult life as an independent New Yorker. I worked for decades as a toolmaker for different companies and built my home myself. I did a lot of hunting and fishing. Well into my 80s, I lived independently, doing my own cooking and shopping.
Now I’m 86 and I’m dying. I strongly believe I should have the ability to decide what the end of my life looks like. It’s not for someone else to tell me I have to stay in this bed waiting around for the next heart attack. I want to go quickly and painlessly.
Nothing advances our common cause of improving end-of-life care like real stories. Inspire others and drive change by sharing your story today.
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