[WSBAPT] Mid-Year discussion on VSED - TRIGGER WARNING

[Rebecca Gandy]

Good morning,

I am very interested in this discussion. I practice mainly in Oregon and
was just admitted to Washington last summer. The philosophical side of
planning is very intriguing to me. I came from a background of domestic
violence and sexual assault advocacy so trauma-informed practice is also
central. I would like to hear other people's experiences with these
conversations.

Best regards,
Rebecca Gandy

On Tue, Jun 17, 2025 at 3:32 PM Brent Williams-Ruth <
brent at williams-ruthlaw.com> wrote:

> Greetings List Members - especially those who attended the mid-year a
> couple weeks back.....be advised that this topic may not be for you as we
> are talking about hastening death.....
>
> I have been thinking about the VSED (Voluntary Stopping of Eating and
> Drinking) discussion. I downloaded the VSED and AD for LIving with Dementia
> (already had the MHAD in my arsenal).....and I am curious how people have
> these conversations.
>
> Do you talk about VSED with someone who is 100% healthy with no signs of
> dementia related illnesses? To those who have it in their family history?
>
> Every year there is something that sticks out above all the others (a
> couple years ago it was that writing on a pad of paper can be traced 7
> pages down....) This year it is VSED.
>
> If this is part of your practice or if there are several people who may be
> interested in having a conversation via zoom....let me know.
>
> Here are my thoughts:
> 1) I come from a family that instilled in me the belief that we should
> treat our human loved ones with the same care and compassion that we do for
> our domesticated animals.....I remember campaigning for Initiative 119 in
> 1991, which though it failed it helped pave the way for Initiative 1000 in
> 2008 - so I am good with death.
>
> 2) When it comes to even just discussing the traditional advanced
> directive nearly every client tells me they don't want to starve to death
> or from dehydration.....and yet, that is precisely what this is.
>
> Let me know if you'd like to talk more! Happy to help facilitate a
> discussion.
>
> *Brent Williams-Ruth* (pronouns: he/him)
> *Attorney-At-Law*
>
> *Law Offices of Brent Williams-Ruth, **a division of BWR Consulting, PLLC*
>
> *Physical Address: 500 S 336th Street, Suite 214; Federal Way, WA 98003*
>
> *Mailing Address: **PO BOX 3319; Federal Way, WA 98063 *
>
> Office/Scheduling Phone: (253) 285-7751
>
> For All Meetings & Scheduling: info at williams-ruthlaw.com
>
> e-mail <Brent at Williams-RuthLaw.com> / website
> <http://www.williams-ruthlaw.com/> / facebook
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-- 
Rebecca Gandy, Attorney at Law
Admitted in Oregon and Washington
Gandy Legal Services, LLC.
110 E. Historic Columbia River Hwy, Troutdale
P.O. Box 487, Corbett OR 97019 (mailing)
rebgandy at gmail.com
(971) 394-9237
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