Able To Choose
1,084 views · Published 16 February 2011 · 7:15 · Indexed 3 October 2026
Channel: Compassion & Choices · 2011 · Nonprofits & Activism
On an August weekday in 2010, we took our camera onto the streets of Portland, Oregon. We approached each person we encountered with an identifiable physical disability. Thirteen agreed to speak with us on camera. These responses are from those interviews. People living with disabilities are today a vital community, proud to pursue meaningful careers and live independently. Most Americans advocate eliminating barriers to allow full equality, participation and self-determination for people with disabilities. Others see a population too vulnerable for society to allow terminally ill, mentally competent adults to make end-of-life choices. Should this community have access to physician aid in dying for the terminally ill? Or is legal aid in dying too great a threat to people living with disabilities? We wanted to hear the voices of Oregonians living with disabilities who've had 13 years of experience, living in a state where aid in dying is legal.
