Tom Albin has called Minnesota home for nearly forty years. Now as he approaches the end of his life from ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, he faces the real possibility of having to leave the state he loves to have his end-of-life wishes honored.
Tom describes his illness as "dying in slow motion." Yet he faces the end with courage and a supportive group of friends and family, who have stepped up to prevent the isolation so often experienced by those with ALS. Despite their love and support, his world becomes smaller as his strength weakens, and he can "no longer speak clearly or eat or drink without a feeding tube."
Tom said. "I know my time is limited, and because Minnesota still doesn't allow medical aid in dying, I now face the real possibility of having to leave my home state at the end of my life to access compassionate care."
Medical aid in dying allows terminally ill adults with six months or less to live the option to request and take medication prescribed by their doctor to end unbearable suffering. It is entirely optional for both the terminally ill person and the doctor, and puts the patient in charge of what happens with their dying process.
"Leaving home at the end of life means giving up trusted doctors, family and friends, familiar caregivers and the comfort of surroundings built over a lifetime. It means navigating end-of-life care with strangers in an unfamiliar place — not by choice, but because my state has denied me a choice. For me, this is not about giving up. It's about comfort, dignity and maintaining control."
No one should have to leave Minnesota to die with dignity.
Sign now to show your support for choice at the end of life and join the fight alongside terminally ill Minnesota residents and their loved ones for the opportunity to end their story on their terms.
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The Compassion & Choices family comprises two organizations: Compassion & Choices (the 501(c)(3)), whose focus is expanding access, public education and litigation; and Compassion & Choices Action Network (the 501(c)(4)), whose focus is legislative work at the federal and state levels. By submitting this form, you affirm your membership in the Compassion & Choices Action Network. Membership is open to anyone committed to advancing end-of-life options and is renewed annually through a donation or online action.
