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CW DDOM Thread
Today is Disability Day of Mourning. We remember disabled people who were killed by their families or other caregivers.
A typical identifying detail in the coverage of these crimes is that the murderers are permitted more humanity than their victims.
Today is Disability Day of Mourning. We remember disabled people who were killed by their families or other caregivers.
A typical identifying detail in the coverage of these crimes is that the murderers are permitted more humanity than their victims.
CW DDOM
This day is always difficult but this year it feels more so.
I live in a country that legalized assisted suicide and now has a bill proposing it be broadened to include those who do not have terminal diagnoses.
This day is always difficult but this year it feels more so.
I live in a country that legalized assisted suicide and now has a bill proposing it be broadened to include those who do not have terminal diagnoses.
CW DDOM
The history of MAID in Canada is inextricably interwoven with this day and the murder of disabled people. https://www.ctvnews.ca/euthanasia-and-assisted-suicide-in-canada-chronology-to-2010-1.711060
The history of MAID in Canada is inextricably interwoven with this day and the murder of disabled people. https://www.ctvnews.ca/euthanasia-and-assisted-suicide-in-canada-chronology-to-2010-1.711060
CW DDOM
The name Tracy Latimer – or more often the name of the father who murdered her – is known to most Canadians. Tracy was murdered by her father on Sunday, October 24, 1993.
Most Canadians know the names but they don't know the actual facts.
The name Tracy Latimer – or more often the name of the father who murdered her – is known to most Canadians. Tracy was murdered by her father on Sunday, October 24, 1993.
Most Canadians know the names but they don't know the actual facts.
CW DDOM
Robert Latimer had investigated various methods for killing her and disposing of her body but decided on carbon monoxide. He put a hose into his truck where he placed Tracy and watched from outside as she died.
Robert Latimer had investigated various methods for killing her and disposing of her body but decided on carbon monoxide. He put a hose into his truck where he placed Tracy and watched from outside as she died.
CW DDOM
Much of the press coverage of Tracy Latimer's murder was beyond biased. Often factually wrong and selectively omitting important info. A detailed breakdown about this was written by by Prof. Dick Sobsey, U of Alberta Abuse & Disability Project
http://www.ccdonline.ca/en/humanrights/endoflife/latimer/reflections/media
Much of the press coverage of Tracy Latimer's murder was beyond biased. Often factually wrong and selectively omitting important info. A detailed breakdown about this was written by by Prof. Dick Sobsey, U of Alberta Abuse & Disability Project
http://www.ccdonline.ca/en/humanrights/endoflife/latimer/reflections/media
CW DDOM
Here are a few facts.
The ‘hero’: Not discussed in the portrayal of this "salt of the earth" Cdn farmer is that in 1974, a jury found Latimer guilty of rape of a minor in Wilkie, Saskatchewan; but, on appeal, Latimer got off on a technicality.
http://www.ccdonline.ca/en/humanrights/endoflife/latimer/1997/02a
Here are a few facts.
The ‘hero’: Not discussed in the portrayal of this "salt of the earth" Cdn farmer is that in 1974, a jury found Latimer guilty of rape of a minor in Wilkie, Saskatchewan; but, on appeal, Latimer got off on a technicality.
http://www.ccdonline.ca/en/humanrights/endoflife/latimer/1997/02a
CW DDOM
The victim of this ‘mercy-killing’, his daughter Tracy Latimer: She was not in constant pain and her physician had suggested a hip surgery that would have helped with the pain she did have. Robert Latimer made the decision to murder her instead.
The victim of this ‘mercy-killing’, his daughter Tracy Latimer: She was not in constant pain and her physician had suggested a hip surgery that would have helped with the pain she did have. Robert Latimer made the decision to murder her instead.
CW DDOM
Robert Latimer had extreme views about medical care. For similar reasons the family had repeatedly refused a feeding tube for Tracy. One of her teachers testified that Tracy could operate a radio using a switch on her wheelchair and that she loved music.
Robert Latimer had extreme views about medical care. For similar reasons the family had repeatedly refused a feeding tube for Tracy. One of her teachers testified that Tracy could operate a radio using a switch on her wheelchair and that she loved music.
CW DDOM
An orthopaedic surgeon testified that Tracy's back surgery one year earlier had gone well and that if she had not been murdered and had had the hip surgery it might have relieved her pain, perhaps even to the point of leaving her pain free.
An orthopaedic surgeon testified that Tracy's back surgery one year earlier had gone well and that if she had not been murdered and had had the hip surgery it might have relieved her pain, perhaps even to the point of leaving her pain free.
CW DDOM
18 October 1993—Laura Latimer's (Tracy's mother and Robert Latimer's wife) diary records that Tracy "ate well", and "was quite cheerful".
24 October 1993—Robert Latimer kills Tracy Latimer using carbon monoxide poisoning.
18 October 1993—Laura Latimer's (Tracy's mother and Robert Latimer's wife) diary records that Tracy "ate well", and "was quite cheerful".
24 October 1993—Robert Latimer kills Tracy Latimer using carbon monoxide poisoning.
CW DDOM
At the trial Laura Latimer, Tracy Latimer testifies about her murder:
"Her birth was way, way sadder than her death. We lost Tracy when she was born"
At the trial Laura Latimer, Tracy Latimer testifies about her murder:
"Her birth was way, way sadder than her death. We lost Tracy when she was born"
CW DDOM
This murder didn't happen in a vacuum. Leading up to the time of Tracy's murder there was a lot of coverage and a large court case around assisted suicide. The idea of it being better to be dead than disabled was part of public conversation.
http://www.ccdonline.ca/en/humanrights/endoflife/latimer/reflections/chronology
This murder didn't happen in a vacuum. Leading up to the time of Tracy's murder there was a lot of coverage and a large court case around assisted suicide. The idea of it being better to be dead than disabled was part of public conversation.
http://www.ccdonline.ca/en/humanrights/endoflife/latimer/reflections/chronology
CW DDOM
Dec 5 1994 Ryan Wilkieson, a 16 year old with cerebral palsy, is murdered by his mother, Cathy, who commits suicide. Carbon monoxide is cause of both deaths. "19 days after Robert Latimer was convicted & at the height of the public outpouring of support for Mr. Latimer"
Dec 5 1994 Ryan Wilkieson, a 16 year old with cerebral palsy, is murdered by his mother, Cathy, who commits suicide. Carbon monoxide is cause of both deaths. "19 days after Robert Latimer was convicted & at the height of the public outpouring of support for Mr. Latimer"
CW DDOM
What did that outpouring of support for Robert Latimer look like?
"[C] an we please get real? We are not talking about Rick Hansen who wheeled across Canada in aid of spinal cord research. We are not talking about Stephen Hawking ... "
![CW DDOM What did that outpouring of support for Robert Latimer look like?"[C] an we please get real? We are not talking about Rick Hansen who wheeled across Canada in aid of spinal cord research. We are not talking about Stephen Hawking ... "](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ESCqaKVUcAAiIwG.jpg "CW DDOM What did that outpouring of support for Robert Latimer look like?\"[C] an we please get real? We are not talking about Rick Hansen who wheeled across Canada in aid of spinal cord research. We are not talking about Stephen Hawking ... \"")
What did that outpouring of support for Robert Latimer look like?
"[C] an we please get real? We are not talking about Rick Hansen who wheeled across Canada in aid of spinal cord research. We are not talking about Stephen Hawking ... "
CW DDOM
More support from Canadians:
"I am in awe of the unbelievable act that Robert Latimer performed in sacrificing his needs for the living love of his daughter to the need to end her suffering." (Patrick Conroy. Macleans, December 12, 1994.)
More support from Canadians:
"I am in awe of the unbelievable act that Robert Latimer performed in sacrificing his needs for the living love of his daughter to the need to end her suffering." (Patrick Conroy. Macleans, December 12, 1994.)
CW DDOM
You can read more of these here: http://www.ccdonline.ca/en/humanrights/endoflife/latimer/1998/10d
You can read more of these here: http://www.ccdonline.ca/en/humanrights/endoflife/latimer/1998/10d
CW DDOM
You know who else had comments to make in support of Robert Latimer?
Spokesperson for Dying with Dignity, the group that has fought court cases and lobbied for MAID.
You know who else had comments to make in support of Robert Latimer?
Spokesperson for Dying with Dignity, the group that has fought court cases and lobbied for MAID.
CW DDOM
Nov 1994 NYT
"The second-degree murder conviction of a Saskatchewan farmer in the death of his disabled daughter has kindled debate in Canada about mercy killing and has increased pressure for changes in the law to soften such judgments in the future."
Nov 1994 NYT
"The second-degree murder conviction of a Saskatchewan farmer in the death of his disabled daughter has kindled debate in Canada about mercy killing and has increased pressure for changes in the law to soften such judgments in the future."
CW DDOM
Just please read the attitude towards disabled people of those who lobbied for MAID:
"the Latimers had already lived under a sentence during the 12 years that Tracy was alive..."
Just please read the attitude towards disabled people of those who lobbied for MAID:
"the Latimers had already lived under a sentence during the 12 years that Tracy was alive..."
CW DDOM
"The case could lead to decriminalization of euthanasia under "carefully controlled conditions," predicted Eike Kluge, a professor of bio-ethics at the University of Victoria." https://www.nytimes.com/1994/11/22/world/mercy-killing-in-canada-stirs-calls-for-changes-in-law.html
"The case could lead to decriminalization of euthanasia under "carefully controlled conditions," predicted Eike Kluge, a professor of bio-ethics at the University of Victoria." https://www.nytimes.com/1994/11/22/world/mercy-killing-in-canada-stirs-calls-for-changes-in-law.html
CW DDOM
Even before the murder of a disabled girl by her father inspired Canadians to legalize MAID because of their adoration of her murderer, it seemed to inspire other murders of disabled people.
This was one https://twitter.com/mssinenomine/status/1234172802795589632?s=20
Even before the murder of a disabled girl by her father inspired Canadians to legalize MAID because of their adoration of her murderer, it seemed to inspire other murders of disabled people.
This was one https://twitter.com/mssinenomine/status/1234172802795589632?s=20
CW DDOM
There was BC's Katie Lynn Baker a 10 year old disabled girl with Rett Syndrome.
Her mother decided to let her starve to death. No charges were laid.
http://www.ccdonline.ca/en/humanrights/endoflife/latimer/1999/12
There was BC's Katie Lynn Baker a 10 year old disabled girl with Rett Syndrome.
Her mother decided to let her starve to death. No charges were laid.
http://www.ccdonline.ca/en/humanrights/endoflife/latimer/1999/12
CW DDOM
In an article about the Katie Lynn Baker case Prof Dick Sobsey wrote, "When you cut away all the crap, this is a simple case of a child who was starved to death by the person who was responsible for her care. So far, nothing has been done about it. "
In an article about the Katie Lynn Baker case Prof Dick Sobsey wrote, "When you cut away all the crap, this is a simple case of a child who was starved to death by the person who was responsible for her care. So far, nothing has been done about it. "
CW DDOM
How much did all this sympathy for Robert Latimer affect public discourse?
At the time The Anglican Church of Canada decided to study the question of euthanasia
http://www.ccdonline.ca/en/humanrights/endoflife/latimer/2000/03d
How much did all this sympathy for Robert Latimer affect public discourse?
At the time The Anglican Church of Canada decided to study the question of euthanasia
http://www.ccdonline.ca/en/humanrights/endoflife/latimer/2000/03d
CW DDOM
6 November 1996—Charles Blais, who is autistic, is drowned by his mother, Danielle, in their Montreal home. Blais attempted suicide unsuccessfully. Blais is originally charged with first-degree murder but the Crown agrees to accept a plea of guilty to manslaughter.
6 November 1996—Charles Blais, who is autistic, is drowned by his mother, Danielle, in their Montreal home. Blais attempted suicide unsuccessfully. Blais is originally charged with first-degree murder but the Crown agrees to accept a plea of guilty to manslaughter.
CW DDOM
"Danielle Blais receives a 23 month suspended sentence for the drowning death of her disabled son, Charles, thus escaping jail time...The Autism Society of Greater Montreal offers her a part-time job fund raising." https://twitter.com/mssinenomine/status/1234183044409384960?s=20
"Danielle Blais receives a 23 month suspended sentence for the drowning death of her disabled son, Charles, thus escaping jail time...The Autism Society of Greater Montreal offers her a part-time job fund raising." https://twitter.com/mssinenomine/status/1234183044409384960?s=20
CW DDOM
Yes you read that right. The Autism Society offers a job to the woman who murdered her disabled son.
Yes you read that right. The Autism Society offers a job to the woman who murdered her disabled son.
CW DDOM
The history of MAID is woven into the history of murders of disabled people and ableism.
When I look at their patron page of Dying WIth Dignity I was reminded of the early supporters of eugenics - prominent lawyers, writers, doctors... https://www.dyingwithdignity.ca/patrons_council
The history of MAID is woven into the history of murders of disabled people and ableism.
When I look at their patron page of Dying WIth Dignity I was reminded of the early supporters of eugenics - prominent lawyers, writers, doctors... https://www.dyingwithdignity.ca/patrons_council
CW DDOM
Clarence Darrow, ACLU Lawyer in Scopes Monkey Trial:
“Chloroform unfit children. Show them the same mercy that is shown beasts that are no longer fit to live."
Clarence Darrow, ACLU Lawyer in Scopes Monkey Trial:
“Chloroform unfit children. Show them the same mercy that is shown beasts that are no longer fit to live."
CW DDOM
George Bernard Shaw: "A part of eugenic politics would finally land us in an extensive use of the lethal chamber. A great many people would have to be put out of existence simply because it wastes other people's time to look after them.”
George Bernard Shaw: "A part of eugenic politics would finally land us in an extensive use of the lethal chamber. A great many people would have to be put out of existence simply because it wastes other people's time to look after them.”
CW DDOM
French explorer Jaques Costeau: “World population must be stabilized and to do that we must eliminate 350,000 people per day. This is so horrible to contemplate that we shouldn't even say it. But the general situation in which we are involved is lamentable."
French explorer Jaques Costeau: “World population must be stabilized and to do that we must eliminate 350,000 people per day. This is so horrible to contemplate that we shouldn't even say it. But the general situation in which we are involved is lamentable."
CW DDOM
The belief that disabled lives are not worth living is bedrock to our society and ableism and eugenics is as prevalent on the left as it is on the right.
If you believe our lives are not worth living you give tacit approval - or outright - to murder us.
The belief that disabled lives are not worth living is bedrock to our society and ableism and eugenics is as prevalent on the left as it is on the right.
If you believe our lives are not worth living you give tacit approval - or outright - to murder us.
CW DDOM
Research clearly demonstrates that the abuse committed against children with disabilities is not a result of parental stress (Benedict, 1992).
Research clearly demonstrates that the abuse committed against children with disabilities is not a result of parental stress (Benedict, 1992).
CW DDOM
"Months before Tracy Latimer was murdered, an experiment conducted by the University of Alberta Abuse and Disability Project tested this hypothesis. A group of law students were given vignettes & asked to assess if sentence was appropriate. One with a disabled person.
"Months before Tracy Latimer was murdered, an experiment conducted by the University of Alberta Abuse and Disability Project tested this hypothesis. A group of law students were given vignettes & asked to assess if sentence was appropriate. One with a disabled person.
CW DDOM
"When the subject was described as mentally handicapped, eight times as many people thought that a suspended sentence would be adequate, and only 29% (compared to 53% for the victim without a disability) thought jail time should be required."
"When the subject was described as mentally handicapped, eight times as many people thought that a suspended sentence would be adequate, and only 29% (compared to 53% for the victim without a disability) thought jail time should be required."
CW DDOM
Anyway, if you read one long form today for Disabled Day of Mourning read this link. Especially if you work in the media.
Read it before you kill more of us with your compassion for our murderers and devaluing of our lives.
http://www.ccdonline.ca/en/humanrights/endoflife/latimer/reflections/media
Anyway, if you read one long form today for Disabled Day of Mourning read this link. Especially if you work in the media.
Read it before you kill more of us with your compassion for our murderers and devaluing of our lives.
http://www.ccdonline.ca/en/humanrights/endoflife/latimer/reflections/media
CN MAID DDOM Murder
Sometimes I don't state my point clearly enough in my threads so I am just going to add that what I am trying to illustrate here is that there is no separating MAID from eugenics or euthanasia or ableism or murder of disabled people.
Sometimes I don't state my point clearly enough in my threads so I am just going to add that what I am trying to illustrate here is that there is no separating MAID from eugenics or euthanasia or ableism or murder of disabled people.
CN MAID DDOM Murder
What I mean by that is that disabled people tell you MAID opens door to abuse and wider scope of these things. This is true but what's missed is that in Canada the legalization of assisted suicide is literally rooted in those things. https://twitter.com/mssinenomine/status/1234272255351279616?s=20
What I mean by that is that disabled people tell you MAID opens door to abuse and wider scope of these things. This is true but what's missed is that in Canada the legalization of assisted suicide is literally rooted in those things. https://twitter.com/mssinenomine/status/1234272255351279616?s=20
CN MAID DDOM Murder
Support for MAID was built on support for Robert Latimer a man who premeditatedly murdered his disabled daughter who did not have a terminal illness and whose pain would have been rectified by a relatively minor surgery her father refused bc he hated doctors
Support for MAID was built on support for Robert Latimer a man who premeditatedly murdered his disabled daughter who did not have a terminal illness and whose pain would have been rectified by a relatively minor surgery her father refused bc he hated doctors
CN MAID DDOM Murder
Public support for MAID was built on lies. The hero portrayed to the public as wholesome good white Cdn farmer had been convicted of child rape but got off on technicality on appeal. He seems to have some extreme views about science-based medicine too.
Public support for MAID was built on lies. The hero portrayed to the public as wholesome good white Cdn farmer had been convicted of child rape but got off on technicality on appeal. He seems to have some extreme views about science-based medicine too.
CN MAID DDOM Murder
The very VIP of Canada backed Dying with Dignity used public interest and media misrepresentation of the case to build support. I can't tell you the number of times I heard the word 'vegetable' used to describe Tracy at the time.
The very VIP of Canada backed Dying with Dignity used public interest and media misrepresentation of the case to build support. I can't tell you the number of times I heard the word 'vegetable' used to describe Tracy at the time.
CN MAID DDOM Murder
They can try all they want to extricate themselves from this but the reality is privileged people's 'freedom' to 'die with dignity' was built from public support for the murder of a disabled child. It doesn't lean into ableism. Ableism is its lifeblood.
They can try all they want to extricate themselves from this but the reality is privileged people's 'freedom' to 'die with dignity' was built from public support for the murder of a disabled child. It doesn't lean into ableism. Ableism is its lifeblood.
CN MAID DDOM Murder
Watch for the rewriting of history and who is presented as heroes and what critically examine real motivation for a major shift in public support.
Remember the disabled people who have been murdered & remember that they were denied justice in life & death.
Watch for the rewriting of history and who is presented as heroes and what critically examine real motivation for a major shift in public support.
Remember the disabled people who have been murdered & remember that they were denied justice in life & death.
CN MAID
More coverage from the time around Tracy Latimer's murder. This is an archived Maclean's magazine article from 1994.
The mom in this photo told Macleans that if it were not for the existing Criminal Code she would murder her daughter Tania. https://archive.macleans.ca/article/1994/11/28/suffer-the-child
More coverage from the time around Tracy Latimer's murder. This is an archived Maclean's magazine article from 1994.
The mom in this photo told Macleans that if it were not for the existing Criminal Code she would murder her daughter Tania. https://archive.macleans.ca/article/1994/11/28/suffer-the-child
CN DDOM Filicide
"Shelley Page writing in the Ottawa Citizen explains that, "Latimer was viewed sympathetically, while his daughter Tracy was portrayed as nothing more than a wounded animal ready to put down." http://www.ccdonline.ca/en/humanrights/endoflife/latimer/1997/02a
"Shelley Page writing in the Ottawa Citizen explains that, "Latimer was viewed sympathetically, while his daughter Tracy was portrayed as nothing more than a wounded animal ready to put down." http://www.ccdonline.ca/en/humanrights/endoflife/latimer/1997/02a
CN Filicide
This paper examines the science vs the sensationalized way Tracy's disability was presented by media "to make the case that killing Tracy was somehow justified..."
https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ920689.pdf
This paper examines the science vs the sensationalized way Tracy's disability was presented by media "to make the case that killing Tracy was somehow justified..."
https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ920689.pdf
