Reacting to the ‘Reluctant Survivor’

Elizabeth Bouvia in her struggle to achieve the right of choice in the quality of her life has my wholehearted support (“The Reluctant Survivor,” Sept. 13).

I was diagnosed with a disabling chronic illness seven years ago. In that time I have battled anger, depression, the lack of understanding from family, friends and doctors, not to mention the degrading struggle to get help from the government since I can no longer work much and am completely uninsurable.

What amazes me about the “healthy” segment of society is the attitudes toward anyone with a disabling condition: the feeling that the disabled person must have done something wrong to become disabled; the attitude that says “You must never get angry--always be cheerful so we don’t have to feel bad about you,” and the best one--”We know you’ll be able to overcome all this and lead a wonderful and fulfilling life.”

I don’t see how anyone can remain cheerful when faced with the prospect of physical dependency on others, loss of employment and financial security and the threat or reality of a body that can no longer function. I am angry most of the time and it makes me even angrier when ignorant people tell me how much I have to live for and how much courage I have. They mistake courage for raw fear.

I applaud Bouvia’s resistance to the society that decrees she should shut up and be grateful for what she has. What has she got? I know that if my own condition worsens to the point that I have only drugs and a hospital wall to call a life then I might be very tempted to take that gun while my own hands can still grasp it and decide for myself what my quality of life should be.

PEGGY QUIGLEY

Morro Bay