@Normal:Legislation would protect

The heart-wrenching letter from a family member suggesting euthanizing a severely disabled child under the guise of death with “dignity” is truly disturbing. It’s hard to consider the pain and anguish that might bring a family to that conclusion.

However, the Death with Dignity legislation now being considered would prohibit such action. It clearly states only a mentally competent adults could make that choice for themselves. It also requires two medical professionals to affirm the individual is freely making that choice and not being coerced by their family.

Unintentionally or not, equating euthanasia with death with dignity is false and distracting. The central point of this bill is allowing a competent individual to make a profoundly personal end of life choice. Nothing else is allowed and in fact is prohibited under pain of criminal prosecution.

Chuck Kletecka

Waterbury Center