Video: “Right-to-Die” Issue Becomes National Topic After Oregon Woman’s Death

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TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Some call it death with dignity. Others say it’s suicide. The right-to-die issue is again a national topic after a young woman with a terminal illness chose when she wanted to die.

Brittany Maynard made national headlines when she chose to take her own life after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. Maynard passed away in Oregon on Saturday at just 29 years old. Lisa Swords is a Social Worker at Sanctuary Hospice in Tupelo. She says terminally ill patients like Maynard are faced with tough decisions and searching for answers.

“Why do you think the Lord has left me here to go through this? When do you think it will happen? What will I have to go through? Then we have some that are just as at peace with it as they can be and are ready,” says Swords.

“Anytime anyone is diagnosed with a terminal illness, all of a sudden their life goes into a tailspin and there is so much confusion and so chaos surrounding that situation. I think one of the roles of a social worker, the role of a chaplain is to bring some clarity and some calm in the midst of the storm,” says Pastor Jay Stanley, the Sanctuary House Chaplain.

Maynard’s decision to end her life was met with support and disagreement. Still, it’s a personal decision that no one wants to have to make. Maynard spent her last days with family and traveling to the Grand Canyon.

There are only four states in the U-S with Right-to-Die laws: Oregon, Washington, Montana and New Mexico.