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15 Comments

  1. Kathy
    June 6, 2017 @ 11:04 pm

    Once again, as I read this to Bruce, I had trouble finishing some sentences since I was laughing so hard. Such a delight to read! Thank you again.

    Reply

    • Gerda Saunders
      June 7, 2017 @ 9:31 am

      Kathy, you are just my best medicine! Your support through all the years squeezes my heart. Thanks so much for letting me know you like my writing–I love it that you read it to Bruce, I’m so honored! xoxox

      Reply

  2. Rene Engelbrecht
    June 7, 2017 @ 5:37 am

    Jou tone lyk te pragtig met die rooi naellak en ek lief jou skoene!

    Reply

    • Gerda Saunders
      June 7, 2017 @ 9:29 am

      Dankie, Rene. Toe ek jonk was het ek altyd probeer vir die “inner beauty.” Nou in my oudag gaan ek vir die oppervlak! Baie liefde vir jou.

      Reply

  3. Corrine
    June 9, 2017 @ 5:07 am

    Oh lol how sneaky is that Doña, she just likes you too much and really quite a stinker playing tricks on you all the time. Just as well you and dear peter have such a sense of humour.
    Xx

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    • Gerda Saunders
      June 10, 2017 @ 9:51 am

      I love it that I can blame things on the Doña! As such an amazing visual artist, I can imagine you did (and do) the same through your embroidery of certain demons–it’s just such a great way of putting them outside of you at a distance. At least, that is what Doña Quixote does for me. And you are so perceptive to say that she likes me “too much”–and the flip side, I like her too…No matter how obnoxious, she is still a part of me. It is so wonderful to know you. My warmest fuzzies going your way. xoxox

      Reply

  4. jude asphar
    June 17, 2017 @ 7:25 am

    Bless your heart, Gerda.
    Thank you for your articulation of what’s increasingly familiar to me. I wonder what your criteria is for the time you cannot take full care of yourself? I hope you outline that in your book. I’m one who doesn’t have the fortunate and supporting family that you do. While able to physically and mentally end my own life, I pray I will do it, and not get past the point of no return!! It is scandalous that the terminal disease of dementia does not count, its not painful enough to warrant a dignified independent self-administered death. Yes it is scary as hell and deeply painful experiencing one’s own identity diminish but does that mean the collective powers-that-be have to deny the fact that some of us have no choice but to accept? Apparently. Wishing you — and others of us in this position — peace and love, from here in Woodstock, NY!

    Reply

    • Gerda Saunders
      June 24, 2017 @ 9:55 am

      Dear Jude, Thank you so much for being in touch–I am so sorry to hear that you are on the same road of dementia. I hope I can in a little way stand in as the support that you are not getting from your family. I feel the same way as you do about not having a simple, dignified access to assisted death when you have dementia. I do talk about this in my book and will soon also do a blog post on what I have learned since writing my book. My thoughts are with you. Please stay in touch. If you are on Facebook, you could “friend” me and be in touch that way as well. So wonderful to have you “out there” to know I am not the only one struggling with this. My warmest love goes your way.

      Reply

  5. Joni nelson
    June 18, 2017 @ 9:21 am

    I was lucky enough to hear a short part of your Radio interview so I looked up info on you and look forward to reading your book. In your interview you stated you would have to leave the US in order to choose your own death time. I am under the impression that Compassion and Choices helps with options in our country. Thank you for your sharing which is filled with humor and sadness, Joni Nels om

    Reply

    • Gerda Saunders
      June 24, 2017 @ 9:49 am

      Dear Joni, Thansk so much for your kind and supportive response. The problem with any assisted death option in the US is that one has to be “of sound mind,” and when you are in the later stages of dementia you are per definition not in sound mind–and the US does not recognize advance medical directives you have drawn up while you ARE still of sound mind. That’s why I would have to go to another country. I will do a blog post on this soon. Thansk so much for your support and the great questions.

      Reply

      • jude asphar
        June 24, 2017 @ 9:46 pm

        Oh my — how I understand your position, Gerda on the ‘sound mind’ issue. Makes me so angry what we are dealing with, doesn’t qualify. A terminal mental disease not painful enough, eh? Not enough suffering involved? As we speak, this same country is choosing to bring more unwanted children into the world, and keeps sending soldiers into war. This is a blog of mine which I believe helps explain- – through neuroscience – some of the reasons behind why empathy — and thus ethics — are given such short shrift: http://thecoracleproject.blogspot.com

        peace and love from Woodstock, NY

        Reply

      • jude asphar
        June 24, 2017 @ 9:49 pm

        Oh my — again, how I understand your position, Gerda on the ‘sound mind’ issue. Makes me so angry what we are dealing with, doesn’t qualify us to decide for ourselves. At the same time this country is choosing to bring more unwanted children into the world, and keeps sending soldiers into war. Here is a blog of mine which I believe helps explain — through neuroscience — some of the reasons behind why empathy — and thus ethics — are given such short shrift: http://thecoracleproject.blogspot.com

        peace and love from Woodstock, NY

        Reply

        • Gerda Saunders
          July 7, 2017 @ 6:59 pm

          I love your blog–I particularly enjoy your note on Michael Gazzaniga–his work has been very influential in my understanding of the brain. I will definitely check out your blog in future. Thanks so much again for being in touch.

          Reply

  6. jude asphar
    June 24, 2017 @ 9:53 pm

    Apologies I unintentionally posted duplicate responses. I wont do it again! I guess I feel strongly about it and thus I welcome anyone who concurs. Blessings Gerda, and all.

    Reply

    • Gerda Saunders
      July 7, 2017 @ 7:00 pm

      no problem! Let’s keep speaking out…

      Reply

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