Survey: Americans would rather be dead than disabled
July 9th, 2008Business Wire on Forbes.com:
Fifty-two percent of Americans would rather die that live with a severe disability, according to a survey released by Disaboom.com.
Middle-aged Americans were most willing to choose death over disability, at a rate of 63 percent of people between the ages of 35 and 44. Among those surveyed with household income levels of $75,000 and above, 59 percent said they would rather die. Also choosing death over disability were people with a college education, at 57 percent, and people who live in the West, at 61 percent.
By contrast, only 30 percent of those surveyed who had not completed a high school education said they’d rather die than live with a severe disability, and only 45 percent of those living in the South.
The survey was conducted by Kelton Research between June 12 and June 16, 2008, using an email invitation and online survey.
The results of the survey were released in an effort to educate people about why this viewpoint is so tragic, according to Disaboom officials. “I want to share ways for people to understand that disability isn’t the end of life. It can be a new beginning,” said Disaboom founder Glen House.
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July 22nd, 2008 at 2:21 pm
An independent life and a productive life are two different things. I’m sure you’re familiar with Team Hoyt, The father and son running team, (Rick can only make small movements because an umbilical cord was wrapped around his head during birth causing the world to believe he was a vegetable).
Have you heard about Nick Vujicic, a man with no arms or legs who has found a way to be independent? http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org
If I can still add value to someone’s life or give and make a difference then I want to stay alive. If I am alive then I believe there is some value I can give the world. Otherwise God would let me go.
David
JRS Medical
July 16th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
This past weekend, approximately 2,500 people from around the world gathered in Boston for the 36th annual National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) Convention. Far from being a somber gathering, it was a joyous celebration, with the feel of a family reunion.
As others have written, many who answered this survey probably did so out of ignorance. In all likelihood, they’ve never met anyone with a disability. The NDSC is currently launching its “We’re More Alike than Different” national awareness campaign, primarily aimed at OB/GYNS and teachers, but also to the general public to help share the reality that individuals with disabilities — in this particular case Down syndrome — live whole, happy and contributing lives.
July 12th, 2008 at 9:05 am
I have had the privilege of being a both a nurse to those with ’severe’ disabilities, as well as a mother to my seven children, three of whom have various disabilities. I have worked with children and adults, and almost all of them were using ventilators for life support at home, as well as wheelchairs for mobility. I can honestly say that each one of these people is happy in who they are, with or without disabilities!
My adult patients have fought infections and other debilitating conditions to try to maintain their life. They LOVE being alive. None of them has ever expressed a desire to die because of their disabilities.
My husband has multiple sclerosis. He flat refuses to give in to the disease and disability he has. He absolutely does not feel that he’d rather die… but he is also assured of what his afterlife will be, so he’s not scared of death, either.
Two of my children have Down syndrome (Trisomy 21). They are wonderful, delightful and precious children. I can’t imagine what life would be like for me without either of my precious children in my life. I’m SO thankful that their birth mothers chose to give them life, despite their disabilities! Life is precious, no matter WHAT your disability is!
July 11th, 2008 at 2:29 am
What’s a disability? What’s a severe disability? How many of the 63% aged between 35 and 44 who would choose death first are technically obese? Is that not a disability? Are they still with us? Haven’t offed themselves yet?
Could it be that it’s easier to pay lip service to a concept that one doesn’t vividly comprehend, e.g. ‘I’d rather kill myself than live in a wheelchair,’ than it is, as Victoria suggests, to unlearn what we ‘know’ to be right? There is no black and white, and it’s taken me ALL my forty years of education to learn that I know absolutely nothing. But hey, I’m hoping to take classes this autumn!
Victoria Miller: Fabulous site on T18. Beautifully written, sensitive and highly informative. I have started learning from you already today. Keep up the great work.
downsdad
July 10th, 2008 at 6:49 am
What I find so interesting here is the correlation of higher levels of education with these attitudes — something I plead to being guilty of prior to my own direct experience with a baby son born with Trisomy 18 and then being led to read the writings of Harriet McBryde Johnson that confronted me with my own unexamined prejudices in this area.
I think those of us whose own ego/identity are somehow tied tightly to our own sense of “intelligence” and that being the source of ALL control in life — fear not only disability but also having children who don’t aspire to college (gasp!) or excel academically. And then to add the possibility of cognitive disability the “fears” compound exponentially.
When focusing on building working alliances with physicians, we find that they are especially defined by these personal fears in large numbers. And thus their characterization when “diagnosing” disability are, as often as not, are shaped most by these personal “biases” that we share as able-bodied humans.
It is work to “unlearn” these biases. And I hope to continue learning where the dark corners still reside in my own thinking.
July 9th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
Oh, c’mon now let’s get real here! Has anyone taken a look at the new book by Christopher Anderson detailing the incredible journey of Christopher Reeve? Mr. Reeve’s own mother wanted to disconnect him from life support until that wonderful wife of his, Dana Reeve, stepped in as the voice of reason. She begged her husband and his mother to give her two years to prove that his life was worth living, disabled or not. Within those two years Christopher Reeve inspired countless people to recognize those living with spinal cord injuries and do something about it. He raised millions of dollars for research and raised awareness of this little-known condition. Clearly, his life was difficult but we, as a community, are much better off because Christopher Reeve lived those two extra years.
July 9th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
Hypothetical questions are a tricky business. Few average adults would choose mental or physical challenges over a life of relative ease, but that is hardly the point.
I know many disabled adults, teens and children living very full lives. Some were disabled at birth, some later in life. I think if you asked any number of these folks, they would be happy to tell you life is better than the alternative.
A more comprehensive survey would target a very different population and pose the question “Would you prefer to live with your disability or be dead?”
I am, in fact, the parent of a disabled young adult who was born with Down Syndrome. Had I known of her disability before her birth, I might have deprived myself, and countless others, the profound pleasure of knowing and loving an individual who is living life with grace and good character and who, all too frequently, puts my own life and accomplishments to shame.
July 9th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Let’s face it: most of these opinions are based on ignorance. These people have no idea what it is like to have a disability so they fill in the blanks with assumptions.
July 9th, 2008 at 11:58 am
The study results are sad and an example of the lack of knowledge that people have. I agree with Mr. House’s desire to educate the public.
I wonder how a severe disability was defined for those polled. I wonder if some people were thinking in terms of being on a life-support system.