A Tribute to David Hollister

I’m very sad to share that David Hollister died Wednesday, just a day after his powerful plea for Ohio’s Medical Aid in Dying appeared in The Columbus Dispatch on September 2. I only met David recently, but found him to be an absolute force—even in his clearly declining health. He used precious energy to advocate for others because his time was running out. David’s story has had a powerful reach, including being picked up by People.com.

See David’s Impact through Social Media in the section below for his story’s coverage and the many supportive comments through social media.
– Lisa Vigil Schattinger

Read David Hollister’s obituary. “He nailed it. In a life of twists and turns, David found the girl of his dreams, mastered more than one profession, loved friends and family, thought deeply, contributed civically, and stared down ALS.

My life is ending. Other Ohioans deserve Medical Aid in Dying | OPINION

by David Hollister, Guest columnist
The Columbus Dispatch
September 2, 2025

David and Dana Hollister, provided by David Hollister.

David Hollister is a commercial real estate broker who lives in Chagrin Falls and supports Ohio End of Life Options.

As someone with advancing ALS, I reached an important personal decision upon my diagnosis: I wished to die peacefully on my terms.

It was a decision arrived at with the support of my wife. She didn’t want to see me suffer extended consequences of this cruel and always-fatal disease any more than I want to experience them.

Now, I am in hospice, and before I die, I write to make my case to Ohio lawmakers to change the law so other Ohioans may one day have the freedom I have been denied.

This is far from how I wanted to spend my final days

Because Ohio does not have a law authorizing medical aid in dying — which allows a terminally ill patient to request from their doctor a prescription that will cause them to die peacefully — It was my intent that when I reached the point of having less than six months to live, I would go to Vermont, which has a MAID law that does not require patients to live in the state to access it.

Unfortunately for me, Vermont’s law requires in-person administrative actions and my disease is now such that I can’t tolerate a short car ride, let alone more than one trip to Vermont.

I lived the best life I could with a fatal disease

To anyone who might wonder about my choice, I want to stress a few things: I have had excellent medical care.

I’ve tried to make the most of my remaining life since my diagnosis in 2022. Along with extensive travel with my wife while I was still able, I realized some long-held ambitions, like taking voice lessons and self-publishing an album of 11 songs plus 26 more online.

Two years ago, I co-chaired the 2023 Cleveland Walk to Defeat ALS fundraiser and got to throw the first pitch at a Guardians game on Lou Gehrig Night.

More recently, I’ve worked with an entrepreneur named Tom Meadows to help him raise awareness about little-known iPhone and iPad features that help people with disabilities communicate and function.

I am beyond pleased to relate that our efforts have recently borne fruit as Apple has announced that they are upgrading access to these capabilities, and the ALS association has finally agreed to incorporate it into their patient support model.

It is too late for me

End-of-life autonomy is not an option for me in Ohio. But I can use my remaining time and capacity to speak up for other Ohioans who will find themselves in situations like mine.

I strongly urge Ohio legislators to pass a medical aid in dying bill like those in effect in 10 other states and the District of Columbia.

MAID has existed in the U.S. for nearly 30 years, and in every jurisdiction, the terms are similar: It is available only to people diagnosed with a terminal illness, with death expected within six months, as confirmed by two doctors.

Patients must be of sound mind, must make the request themselves, and must be physically capable of independently ingesting the prescription.

Despite the claims of people who want to deny end-of-life autonomy to others, it has not led to abuse. Neither advanced age, dementia nor disability alone qualifies someone for MAID.

Three decades of precedent have yielded no documented instances of abuse or coercion.

I have been fortunate in life and I’m grateful for the wonderful support of family and friends, which has made my ALS journey easier.

My wife shouldn’t have to watch me suffer

I know that, as I have chosen to opt out of medical interventions, hospice care will guide my wife and other caregivers on how to ease my pain, labored breathing and physical and mental anguish as much as possible.

But here’s the thing: I don’t want to suffer needlessly, and I don’t want my wife and friends to witness any more of that suffering than they already have.

When my death approaches and when I decide my days are done, I would like the freedom and autonomy to die peacefully, in my home, at a time of my choosing and surrounded by those I love.

I don’t have that freedom, and neither will anyone else in Ohio until and unless we have a MAID law.

Please join me in asking our lawmakers to provide end-of-life options for the terminally ill. Do it for my peace of mind. And for those who will need it in the future.

The Dispatch piece may be read here:
https://www.dispatch.com/story/opinion/columns/guest/2025/09/02/medical-aid-in-dying-david-hollister-assisted-suicide-ohio/85931144007/