Farewell to a friend of Terri...
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Attorney spoke out for disabled
CHARLESTON — Harriet McBryde Johnson, a civil and disability rights attorney who drew national attention by protesting the annual Jerry Lewis muscular dystrophy telethon, has died. She was 50.
Johnson, who suffered from congenital neuromuscular disease, died in her sleep early Wednesday. The cause of death has not been determined, said her father, David D. Johnson.
Harriet McBryde Johnson, who handled cases for the poor and working class, protested the telethon for almost 20 years, objecting to what she called the show’s “charity mentality” and “pity-based tactics.”
She wrote in her 2005 memoir, “Too Late to Die Young,” that the telethon first sent her the message that her neuromuscular disease eventually would kill her.
At the same time, Johnson was a passionate and articulate voice for the humanity of people with disabilities — arguing, for example, that government officials were correct to get involved in the case of Terri Schiavo, a Florida woman who became the focus of debate over whether she should be kept alive despite severe brain damage.
South Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Jean Toal told The Post and Courier of Charleston that Johnson was a fierce advocate for the disabled. Toal said she was heartbroken when she heard of Johnson’s death.
“The world is a poorer place,” Toal said.
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Ms Purdy has multiple sclerosis. She believes her life may well soon become unbearable, and she wants to know that if she decides her best course is to end it in a country (such as Switzerland) where assisted suicide is legal, her husband won't face charges in Britain when he returns after helping her. She has already asked the DPP to clarify his position on the topic. He declined. She now hopes she can use judicial review to make him do so...........
Why we must not make the 'right to die' legal (in the UK)
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