[Nfbnet-members-list] National Federation of the Blind Comments on Belgian Euthanasia of Deaf Men Losing Sight

[David Andrews]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Chris Danielsen
Director of Public Relations
National Federation of the Blind
(410) 659-9314, extension 2330
(410) 262-1281 (Cell)
<mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org>cdanielsen at nfb.org

National Federation of the Blind Comments on
Belgian Euthanasia of Deaf Men Losing Sight

Baltimore, Maryland (January 15, 2013): <http://www.nfb.org/>The 
National Federation of the Blind, the largest organization of blind 
people in the United States with over 50,000 members, including many 
deaf-blind individuals, commented today on the state-sanctioned death 
by lethal injection of deaf twins in Belgium.  Upon learning that 
they were also going blind, the deaf twins sought and were granted euthanasia.

<http://www.nfb.org/marc-maurer-bio>Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the 
<http://www.facebook.com/NationalFederationoftheBlind>National 
Federation of the Blind, said: "This disturbing news from Belgium is 
a stark example of the common, and in this case tragic, 
misunderstanding of disability and its consequences.  Adjustment to 
any disability is difficult, and deaf-blind people face their own 
particular challenges, but from at least the time of Helen Keller it 
has been known that these challenges can be met, and the technology 
and services available today have vastly improved prospects for the 
deaf-blind and others with disabilities.  That these men wanted to 
die is tragic; that the state sanctioned and aided their suicide is 
frightening."


The National Federation of the Blind needs your support to ensure 
that blind children get an equal education, to connect blind veterans 
with the training and services they need, and to help seniors who are 
losing vision continue to live independent and fulfilling lives. To 
make a donation, please go to <http://www.nfb.org/>www.nfb.org.



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About the National Federation of the Blind


The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) is the oldest, largest, 
and most influential nationwide membership organization of blind 
people in the United States.  Founded in 1940, the NFB advocates for 
the civil rights and equality of blind Americans, and develops 
innovative education, technology, and training programs to provide 
the blind and those who are losing vision with the tools they need to 
become independent and successful.  We need your support.  To make a 
donation, please go to <http://www.nfb.org/>www.nfb.org.

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