Medscape on Dr Donald Low: Compassion and Control at End of Life

medscape

Dr Donald Low was a prominent Canadian physician. When Toronto faced a deadly SARS outbreak a decade ago, Dr Low was a voice of calm and reason. His research in cell signaling and infectious disease led some to think he was Canada's best chance for a Nobel Prize in Medicine. He did a lot of good in the service of others, right until the days before he died.
His courageous 7-minute video recorded 8 days before he died from a brain-stem tumor helps shed important light on dying with dignity. Here is one of the smartest and most accomplished doctor-scientists in the world speaking about what matters most to him—control. He is worried, not about dying, but about losing control. He bemoans the illegality of physician-assisted suicide in Canada. He makes note that those who oppose death with dignity would change their mind if they lived in his body.
At the risk of turning this blog into something sad, I can't help but be stirred. A few thoughts popped into my head....