21 July 2008
Reuters (NEW YORK) — Disaboom, an informational website and social network for people with disabilities, and Kent Research recently surveyed 1000 people to better understand public perceptions of disability. Overall, 52 % of participants chose death over severe disability. Other results varied by age, income, and area of the country. For example, among people ages 35 to 44, 63 % chose death over severe disability compared with 50% of people ages 55 to 64. Wealthier people also chose tended to choose death over severe disability, with 59% of people making $75,000 or more choosing death, while only 45% of people earning $25,000 did. While 61% in the Western U.S. chose death, people in the South were less likely to do the same, at 45%.
SOURCE: http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSN7B32025920080711
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From CNN Money Market Wire:
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/marketwire/0417329.htm
Disaboom hosts the National Forum on Disability Issues, a nonpartisan forum at which presidential candidates will present views on U.S. disability policy (http://www.disaboom.com/Living/election08/National-Forum-on-Disability-Issues-Webcasted-Live-on-Disaboom.com-July-26.aspx). The webcast will be live at http://www.disaboom.com/ on Saturday, July 26, 2008, from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time. To watch, viewers must register at http://www.disaboom.com/AAPDSignUp.aspx. A downloadable video will be available on the website after the live webcast.
Reuters (NEW YORK) — Disaboom, an informational website and social network for people with disabilities, and Kent Research recently surveyed 1000 people to better understand public perceptions of disability. Overall, 52 % of participants chose death over severe disability. Other results varied by age, income, and area of the country. For example, among people ages 35 to 44, 63 % chose death over severe disability compared with 50% of people ages 55 to 64. Wealthier people also chose tended to choose death over severe disability, with 59% of people making $75,000 or more choosing death, while only 45% of people earning $25,000 did. While 61% in the Western U.S. chose death, people in the South were less likely to do the same, at 45%.
SOURCE: http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSN7B32025920080711
RELATED:
From CNN Money Market Wire:
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/marketwire/0417329.htm
Disaboom hosts the National Forum on Disability Issues, a nonpartisan forum at which presidential candidates will present views on U.S. disability policy (http://www.disaboom.com/Living/election08/National-Forum-on-Disability-Issues-Webcasted-Live-on-Disaboom.com-July-26.aspx). The webcast will be live at http://www.disaboom.com/ on Saturday, July 26, 2008, from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time. To watch, viewers must register at http://www.disaboom.com/AAPDSignUp.aspx. A downloadable video will be available on the website after the live webcast.
5 comments:
From all that I have read (admittedly not extensive), one's choice for death over severe disability changes when one becomes severely disabled. It would be interesting to interview/poll those that have become disabled to see: 1) Would they have choosen death over disability BEFORE their disability, and 2) What is their choice now that they are disabled. BTW, my older sister is mentally handicapped, and I had a cousin, now deceased, with severe polio, so I am not unaquainted with disabilities.
An interesting question that this article raises and I know not an uncommon topic. Unfortunately a lot of people are ignorant when it comes to many issues especially disability ones.
Unless an individual has a family member or a close friend with disabilites, they are not aware how self sufficient they can be. A lot of times they only know what the mass medias chooses to portray a certain situation.
Especially this day in age, a lot of people get their "facts" from the movies they see, the endless reality shows we are bombarded with. And from the news media that will sensationlize a particular story just to sell newspapers or get ratings.
I believe every indiviual would benefit from some form of formal education on disability issues and break down a lot of sterotypes or myths that are out there.
And what better venue than the education system, perhaps in high school. At an age where the student would be able to comprehend certain issues and hopefully be mature about them. This in turn can be taken back to the homes and educate the rest of the family and community.
Marilync
Death over disability, I think not. We have only one life to live and I would prefer to stay alive as long as possible. The article did not go into specifics of what is considered a severe disability except the description of “adults chose death over losing the ability to live an independent life.” To me the survey results are shocking and even got me thinking these individuals that chose death might have the terrible mindset that life as a disabled individual is not worth living. Another surprising fact from the survey is that those that had less education and income also had a lower percentage of choosing death. I just thought it would be the other way around. This survey also shows that there are still many Americans that are deathly afraid of disabilities. It goes to show that people need more education and socialization among individuals with disabilities.
James D.
52% is a huge percentage! I am so surprised. Then again, those of us with disabilities know that life can be "worth living" even with a disability. Further, those of us who work/study in the field of rehabilitation see/hear numerous examples of fulfilled and happy lives lived with disabilities. Someone who does not have either of these frames of reference, may only imagine pain, suffering and pity when surveyed.
Margaret T.
Wow, people these days are scared of just about anything. The only fear I would have of getting a severe disability would be the finacing involved in keeping me alive, but I would definitely take my chances with a new, different life than none at all.
Joshua P.
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