- LETTER TO POLITOCIANS 15/07/07 (from a contributor) -

Copy of a Letter written by June Reeder


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I am sending this copy of June Reeder’s letter with her permission, although I understand you’ve been given one previously, I wanted especially for you to be reminded of its poignant message. I know this lady personally, diseased heart, arthritis, walking on sticks, housebound mostly, hips which are collapsing but can’t be replaced, because of the faulty heart. The risk outweighs the benefits!. A magnificently intelligent woman (like Judy Bayliss) trapped in a body which fails her at every turn….and she knows that this is as good as it gets. A serious car accident and later beaten by drug addled youths ensured circumstances surrounding her health ongoing, was not going to be an easy path throughout her life. Mobility reduced to gutter frames severely limiting her options for a normal existence.

I discovered during the rally time with Judy (wheelchair bound) there were no accessible public toilets for her use within the precincts of Parliament House. This is the reality for the disabled. Aged and invalided persons suffer this indignity without any measurement being taken by society of its impact on self esteem……I know as I soiled my bed eight times after major abdominal surgery in one night, but at least I had hope that change would come with the healing process. The Junes and Judys of this world don’t have that luxury.

Mind, Body and Soul, like June Reeder and Judy Bayliss, needs to know that society cares for them, in a practical way.
 

Mary, as I was not able to attend the rally as I am a prisoner of my bladder....I sent this letter on behalf of people like me.

To All Members Of The Victorian Parliament

I am writing this letter to represent the many ill, frail and elderly members of the community who, like myself are unable to be here in person today because of our illness or disabilities.

Many of us have signed the petition, and others who are of like mind, also wish to have a voice.

We are of sound mind and understanding the nature of our health condition and the possibility of future outcomes, we request Legislative changes to the Medical Treatment Act and Advance Directives and/or Requesting Patients Choices forms, and to have the right to access medical assistance to die peacefully.

Many of us were witnesses to relatives or friends confined to nursing homes for years some in very distressful circumstances.

I quote from George Delury's book of poems "At Home in the Argon"

It is the tortures before death I fear:
The rack that tears the joints, the hot burning in the gut,
The shame of returned infancy, of dirty clothes and crying helplessness,
Above all, the sack over the head, full of confusion and nightmares,
The not-understanding, the forgetting and the screaming silence?..

This is why people have gathered here today, to demonstrate that in the 21st century that Dying With Dignity can be achieved and that is our choice.


Yours Sincerely,

June Reeder
June 20, 2007
 

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