Newsletter - January 2016

Prepared, edited and distributed by

Ohio End of Life Options - Cleveland, Ohio.

Welcome

Hello to all of you who have asked to be in touch with Ohio End of Life Options – the Cleveland-based group organized to bring education about “Death with Dignity” laws to Ohio. This legislation is the same that has passed and is operative today in Oregon, and very similar to laws passed in Washington State, Vermont, and in California. It has been several busy months since our last communication in August was sent to the original group of people who asked to be kept up to date. We are excited to share what has been going on.

Progress Reports

Publicity and Outreach Activities

September 1, 2015

Lisa Vigil Schattinger’s step-father, Dr. Jack Rowe’s opinion piece appeared posthumously in the Journal of the Medical Association (JAMA). This is the first piece in JAMA urging the American Medical Association to reevaluate its code of medical ethics.

October 22, 2015

At the invitation of Dr. Maryjo Prince-Paul, CWRU Nursing School Professor, Lisa Vigil Schattinger spoke to the undergraduate class entitled, "Normalizing the Inevitable: Dying and Death in America".

October 25, 2015

Lisa Vigil Schattinger introduced Ohio End of Life Options to members of Cleveland Memorial Society at its Annual Meeting in Rocky River.

November 1, 2015

The Rev. Patricia Shelden, in her sermon at the First Unitarian Church of Cleveland in Shaker Heights, focused on end of life issues and concerns, and on our organization - Ohio End of Life Options. That sermon’s offertory was generously donated to the group. Rev. Shelden continued that evening with a candlelight vigil on the steps of the church.

November 18, 2015

Steering Committee member Mark Weber arranged to have Ohio End of Life Options as The Program for another of his groups, the Humanists of the Western Reserve. This was publicized and open to the public and drew a large audience. Several Ohio End of Life Options steering committee members were present to welcome Humanist Society members and guests. Lisa Vigil Schattinger presented her truly powerful PowerPoint program about her stepfather’s use of Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act. Many people added their names for further information.

December 3, 2015

Dr. Diana Spade, Volunteer Medical Director, Compassion & Choices for Southern Oregon met with the Steering Committee and shared valuable information with us about her experiences. Lisa Vigil Schattinger’s mother, Jan Rowe has worked with Dr. Spade who has had many years’ experience with direct patient support and outreach in Southern Oregon. Lisa and Dr. Spade then met with Dr. Stuart Youngner’s Bioethics Master’s class at CWRU. Lisa reported: “The students were well informed and asked great questions. There was a hospice nurse taking the class who is adamantly opposed to hospice being involved in any way with a patient using medication acquired under a Death with Dignity law. It was good hearing her thoughts as well as her vows to fight a law like this in Ohio. We know it won’t be easy. “

Looking forward in 2016

Lisa Vigil Schattinger will be presenting to two medical groups this year. In February, she’s on the program at the Florida Society of Clinical Oncology Conference entitled “Recent Developments and Controversies in Cancer Care”. In July she’ll be part of the Mayo Clinic’s Annual Review Course. Over 200 oncologists attending are from 33 states and 3 different countries. Presentations to medical groups are important in helping lead to acceptance. Or at least in leading to a neutral stance, as the California Medical Association came to before the passage of California’s law.

Organizational Progress

· Non-Profit status….We’re on our way! This is a detailed process. The Steering Committee is close to submitting our application to the State of Ohio and the federal government to obtain our 501(c)(3) status.

· Media

Email address ohioendoflifeoptions@gmail.com

Website address www.ohiooptions.org (under construction)

Facebook Ohio End of Life Options

P.O. Box P.O. Box 221151 Beachwood, OH 44122

· We have incorporated in Ohio

· Our Contact List continues to grow

Future Plans

· Speakers’ Group

We want to establish a group of individuals to help extend our public appearances.

· Increase Membership

Once we have non-profit status we will move forward to include a general membership with annual dues, regular newsletter and meetings, and committees for those who want to be more active.

We Frequently Hear “WHAT CAN I DO NOW?

As individuals, we have a lot of power and here are some of the things you can do:

· Know and be comfortable talking about the Oregon law. If you’d like a copy of the summary of Oregon’s law and data, please request it at the above Gmail address.

· Talk with members of your family - this is especially important if you hope one day to have options for your end of life decisions. Be sure to have advanced directives in place and consider designating a healthcare proxy in case you are unable to make decisions.

· Talk with your doctor. Take a copy of Dr. Rowe’s JAMA article and ask if he/she has read it. Also, let your health care professionals understand your own values. Be ready for some who are not supportive. Since Medicare is now reimbursing physicians for end of life conversations, doctors are now able to provide more time for these discussions.

· Talk with your friends. Some will be grateful to hear of this movement. Others will have objections. We do need to be aware of others’ thoughts -- not just their support, but also their objections.

· Support Ohio End of Life Options. The original founders of Ohio End of Life Options have generously and anonymously underwritten our growing expenses. We’re not yet a tax-deductible 501(c)(3)…but our bank account is open and welcomes your help. Also let us know if you can make in-kind donations such as website help or hosting an event.

· Suggest a presentation….If you are active in other organizations, please consider whether Ohio End of Life Options information might be of interest. (Most program chairs are looking for speakers!) Remember that our program is informative rather than political. Our story is one of personal experience as well as an explanation of the Death with Dignity legislation. Please contact us if you know of a group that might be interested. Contact Marge Wilson to share ideas or suggestions for initial outreach (margerwilson579@gmail.com).

· Sign up with the national organizations:

Death with Dignity National Center www.deathwithdignity.org Compassion & Choices www.compassionandchoices.org

By signing up you show these organizations that Ohio is serious about moving forward. These groups will keep you informed of all the ongoing current events. Death with Dignity may soon be placing a petition on their website for Ohioans to sign showing support for a law based on Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act. This can then be given to Ohio legislators showing a body of support among their constituents for introducing legislation.

· Look for upcoming events sponsored by Ohio End of Life Options.

· Don’t be shy. Please use the Ohio End of Life Options email address, ohioendoflifeoptions@gmail.com to ask about how to support this work financially, to share personal stories, or ask specific questions.

· Lastly – Set up a contact with the email address ohioendoflifeoptions@gmail.com so that future emails reach YOU and not your spam folder.

Ohio End of Life Options Steering Committee

Lisa Vigil Schattinger

Felisa Anthony

Kimberly Barton

Elizabeth Nuechterlein

Doug Schattinger

Patricia Shelden

Susan Spinell

Mark Weber

Marjorie Wilson

Ohio End of Life Options is a non-sectarian organization