Nevertheless, the simple and unvarnished truth remains that those things that drive some disabled people to end their lives also lie dormant and buried within the minds of those of us who have dismissed suicide as an alternative.
The fear of losing control and being dependent on others at a point in our republic's history when many people believe you can't depend on anyone is, perhaps, the most alluring reason for self-destruction when disability is present.
"Who will care for my daily needs? Who will take care of those I have been caring for? How will I afford the care for myself? How can I continue to lead a reasonably normal and productive life?" Just asking these questions strikes terror in the hearts of those who are disabled, and those who are not.
Not knowing what will happen to you when you can't control what happens to you can bring on a fear greater than the fear of death. The prospect of an otherwise healthy life of prolonged physical dependency is further complicated by other factors, such as economic level, educational background, marital status and, of course, age group.
Those with limited financial resources can't afford to pay the high cost of professional care and, if they are well-educated, they languish as their potential for productivity lies ripe and unharvested. In time, the fruit of intellect and ambition will spoil.
If we are married or living with parents, most of the care giving is left to family members or spouses.
Even in the best of situations, the stress is nerve-shredding, and burnout is always waiting like a deep pit hidden by darkness.
Mercifully, children with disabilities rarely entertain notions of self- destruction. Their physical needs are simple, and the things that make them happy are far less complicated in nature than those of adults. Yet, they too fear being abandoned.
