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Every year persons with disabilities, whether the condition be physical, intellectual, mental, emotional or otherwise, are put to death, or to put it more honestly are “murdered”!
These crimes are called “Filicide” – people with disabilities murdered by their family members, caregivers, or medical professionals. Filicide is now recognized as such a problem that each March 1st the Autistic Self Advocacy Network “Nothing About Us Without Us!” organizes a National Day of Mourning across the United States. Although the Day of Vigil began in the US it is now being observed in other countries as well, including Canada.
And if as you read this you’re thinking: “Yeh but that’s the US. This doesn’t happen in Canada!” my friends, think again, because yes indeed it DOES happen in our country. One of the most well known murders of this kind here happened in 1994 when Tracy Latimer’s father put her in his truck, turned on the engine and deliberately, willfully and intentionally let her asphyxiate. Tracy was just 12 years old. Her life had barely begun. Tracy had the same condition as I do, Cerebral Palsy. Robert Latimer, along with his family & friends and medical professionals did an excellent job of portraying Tracy as someone in constant agonizing pain; yet photos of Tracy showed her with many many smiles. She was described as “happy” and “enjoyed” many things. And so I ask “Who was really in pain?”
In closing this very brief statement I am going to ask each of you to recognize this important Day of Mourning for Filicide victims everywhere in a manner that is best suited to your circumstances. If you are a leader of a church, include this day and its purpose in your prayers. If you are an organization/association inform your members of this growing problem – perhaps in your newsletter or in an e-mail to membership/contact list. If you are an individual, share this with people you know. Have discussions. Post your own thoughts and comments. Remember those who have been murdered already. Think about who could be next. Could it be someone you know? Could it be you? Think about “the slippery slope.”
