Personal Stories Power Our Movement
The Generational Impact of ALS: The Importance of Advance Planning
Written by: Laura Taxel
Brandy Gleason’s mother, Nannette Livingston, passed away in 2019 at 56. The cause of death was ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The same disease took Brandy’s grandmother and great-grandfather. Often called Lou Gehrig’s Disease in memory of the famous New York Yankees baseball player whose career it ended in 1939, ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that starts with muscle weakness and leads to loss of all motor function and ultimately complete paralysis. It is always fatal.
The Shapiro Brothers
Jeremy and Eric Shapiro are brothers. Both live and work in and around Shaker Heights, Ohio, not far from where they were born and raised. One is a doctor that treats the body, and the other works to heal the mind. They share the belief that the terminally ill should have access to medical aid in dying, making them part of a nationwide movement to rethink end-of-life care and what it should include.
Ann Schuur Opinion in Cincinnati.com April 2022
Ann Schuur Opinion contributor
Cincinnati.com | The Enquirer
Published April 20, 2022
My father took his life in November 2019. He was 83, of sound mind and terminally ill with Stage 4 cancer complicated by COPD.
New Board Member featured in Cleveland Jewish News
Julie Silver Manning shares the story of her parents and what led her to join us as a Board Member at Ohio End of Life Options. Her story is featured in the Cleveland Jewish News.
Mother’s deathbed request becomes daughter Vikki’s mission.
VIDEO (4 min.): This short video combines Vikki’s experience with her mother, Betty, with information about medical aid in dying to help Ohioans understand the facts about this option. Polling shows that an overwhelming number of Ohioans, across all demographics, want an aid in dying option. Vikki’s story helps explain why.
Susan Moussi advocates for change in memory of her husband Cliff.
This short video combines Susan and Cliff’s experience with information about medical aid in dying to help Ohioans understand the facts about this option. This video was made possible by the Leslie Keller-Biehl Memorial Fund.
The Story of Jack Rowe
Jack Rowe was the stepfather of Lisa Vigil Schattinger, the founder of Ohio End of Life Options. He died peacefully in 2014 using Oregon’s Death with Dignity law.
The Leslie Keller-Biehl Memorial Fund
By Alex Keller-Biehl. My mom died of cancer this past April and it was my privilege to be her caregiver at the end of her life. Even with hospice care, her death was not the peaceful end that she wanted. In honor of her life, my family and I have started a fundraising drive and are matching your donations.
Pamela Gredicak (1965-2020): Control Over My Death
With great sadness, we share Pamela’s story again and endeavor to honor her memory in moving forward. Pamela met life head on, with an infectious smile and the goal of having the option of Medical Aid in Dying at the end of her life. We are humbled to be the recipients of donations in her memory.
Jim O’Neil: In Addie’s Memory, It’s Time Ohio!
Click here: Write to your Legislators Right Now. It’s time Ohio… I laid my wife to rest January 13. I watched the cancer eat at her from the
Meet Amy and Mary Foti, our local Ohio advocates.
Originally published May 21, 2018. In order to advocate for Death with Dignity in Ohio, in April these sisters-in-law both shared their powerful stories about each of their
Remembering Jack, The Influencer
Our executive director Lisa Vigil Schattinger shares how connecting with a doctor who remembers her stepfather’s words provided a meaningful affirmation.
Before and After: The Stories of Two People and the Maine Death with Dignity Act
It will take 10 minutes to watch two videos about two people from Maine. Both had terminal diagnoses. One suffered in death and one had a peaceful death. One was before and one was after Maine passed its Death with Dignity Act. Take the 10 minutes to watch these videos now and you will have something powerful to share with people new to this issue and why we want to bring this option to Ohio.
Cincinnati Enquirer/Cincinnati.com, Mom’s last wish to daughter – pass law
Terminally ill mom’s challenge to daughter: Get Ohio to approve aid in dying law by Anne Saker, Cincinnati Enquirer Published 11:02 p.m. ET Sept. 22, 2019 | Updated
Cleveland.com Letter: “Give terminally ill Ohioans Access to end-of-life options”
Cleveland.com posted a letter to the editor today submitted by our founder Lisa Vigil Schattinger. Show your support today by commenting on the article directly at Cleveland.com. Also
Muffy Kaesberg, Board Chair
Kathryn (Muffy) Kaesberg, our Chair of the Board, is a Cleveland native. Muffy came to the Ohio End of Life Options board after experiencing firsthand the prolonged death
From Prosecutor to Advocate: Why I care
New board member Ann Rowland, retired Assistant U.S. Attorney, shares her story. I retired last January after 37 years as a federal prosecutor in Cleveland. Among other cases,
‘One Last Drink’: Bill Andrews’ Experience
Last October, Bill Andrews chose to end his life on his own terms. A legend in the surfing world, Andrews had been active in the sport as recently as two years ago, until he was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Living and Dying: A Love Story
Living and Dying: A Love Story is an intimate portrait of a family going through the experience of loved ones choosing to Oregon’s Death with Dignity law. Filmed by
Brittany Maynard’s Story and Testimony
The following videos tell the story of Brittany Maynard, a young woman who, faced with a terminal brain cancer diagnosis, chose to become an advocate for medical aid