As Canada’s euthanasia program comes under increasing international scrutiny, Canadians living with disabilities are speaking out to show how they are pressured into assisted suicide or euthanasia. And the hashtag they’re using is starting to go viral.
A woman who introduced herself as Dr. T the “I Am The Face Of MAID” campaign with a tweet arguing that the government would rather kill him than treat his illness. “I am the face of #MAID (assisted-death) in Canada. As a single, 50 yr old woman with a genetic condition and a disability pension, I will just pay the ‘system,’” she wrote. “I will be approved for incurable disease if I apply – except my disease is treatable – it is not covered by the government.”
I am the face of #MAID (assisted-death) in Canada.
As a single, 5o yr old woman with a genetic condition and a disability pension I will just pay the ‘system’. I will be approved for incurable disease if I apply – except my disease IS treatable – it is not covered by the government. pic.twitter.com/Hnd7LcFxWj
— 🕸️Dr.T, PhD I @remissionbiome (@chydorina) February 15, 2023
He then encouraged others to follow his lead, and the hashtag quickly took off.
“I am the face of #MAID (assisted-death) in Canada,” a woman named Ariane wrote. “As a 42 year old woman with a rare complication of lupus + iatrogenic injuries I’ll just pay the ‘system.’ I want to live but can’t get the care I need + approved for MAID.”
“I am the face of #MAID (assisted-death) in Canada,” said another woman named Natalie wrote. “As a 41-year-old woman with fibromyalgia and chronic widespread pain, I’ll just pay the ‘system.’ I received a nerve block to keep me moving. I will be approved for death if I apply.”
“I am the face of #MAID (assisted-death) in Canada,” another woman said said. “As a 30 yo with physical disabilities and ADHD, I’ll just pay the ‘system.’ I will be approved for MAiD if I apply – doctors are ignoring me to death. Fleeing for life.”
“I am 23 years old with ADHD, BPD, CPTSD, POTS, very severe IBS, widespread chronic pain, asthma, and more. Come March, if I apply, I will be approved because of their expansion in mental health,” another woman said tweeted. “I’m the face of the MAID, but I don’t want to.”
The campaign worked. Later followed by Dr. Not only did #MAID become a trending topic on Twitter, but her photo was the #1 photo associated with the term.
Many people with disabilities come forward to speak about their treatment, which includes being referred for MAID even if they are seeking medical care. Others are approved for MAID simply because they live in poverty, or have disabilities. Annoyingly, the Canadian government is still planning on expanding the MAID program to include people whose only diagnosis is mental illness.
