how's your week going, Beehaw

it's election day--go vote if you haven't already

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I am autistic and in my country I've been told before by my case worker that I qualify for MAID. This cruel world just isn't meant for people like me, and I am now starting the application process for MAID.
- I'm so sorry. I wish the world was kinder.
- qualified due to autism? You have not explicitly said your reasons for seeking MAID, and whatever they are, I'm sure that you know what you are doing. I just want you to know that I believe autistic people are one of greatest natural gifts that the world has given us. Y'all have a gift to see the world in a refreshingly-different way from everyone else, and there are many autistic folks in my life that I love dearly. Many of them have survived some very dark phases in their lives, where everything seemed hopeless, and yet today they are the happiest people I know.
  Whatever you end up doing, I just want you to know that I believe your existence is a treasure to this world, and many others do as well. But I don't know anything about the rest of your situation, and I respect whatever you decide to with your own life.
- What's MAID?
  
  Medical assistance in death
- Wait, did your caseworker just announce this eligibility to you without you having asked about it?
  Or have I wildly misread the situation?
  
  I was speaking to her about how difficult it is to navigate a world that wasn't made for people like myself, and she suggested MAID.
  
  Got it. And what did you make of her suggesting that in response?
  
  Honestly I was offended at first, I remember thinking what kind of society lets disabled people kill themselves instead of improving the conditions of their lives. But I've had time to think about it and the reality is there is no button that can be pressed that would suddenly make large improvements for every disabled person's life. Even if there was it would cost a lot of money and likely be unpopular with voters. So this is the alternative, which is painless and peaceful compared to other means someone may choose to exit this world.

66 comments