End of life: the issue of disability enters into discussions

Where does illness end and disability begin? Should we prioritize individual freedom or first ensure true equality in care and solidarity with the most vulnerable? These questions emerged during discussions on end-of-life care in the National Assembly, which began on May 12 and are scheduled to conclude on Tuesday, May 27.

The proposed law granting the right to assisted dying has aroused hostility from several groups of "anti-disabled" activists, who denounce systemic discrimination against disabled people (Handi-social, Jusqu'au bout solidaires or the Collectif Lutte et handicaps pour l'égalité et l'émancipation). "When you are disabled, you often hear: 'I couldn't' or 'if I were in your place, I would kill myself'. Disability is presented as the worst thing that can happen in life. But we don't want to die, we want rights," Alice Ohayon, vice-treasurer of the Dévalideuses, explains to Le Monde .

Believing that the current Claeys-Léonetti law, which authorises, in certain cases, "deep and continuous sedation until death" , meets most situations, ^Ms Ohayon considers that the State's priority is to ensure good material living conditions for all to prevent disabled people from being discriminated against or "feeling that they are a burden" on society or their loved ones.

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