Mary Wilbon, 45, lives with chronic pain and other lifelong disabilities that she has struggled with for decades. However, the most constant and frustrating struggle of her life lately has been the lack of home care and accessibility accommodations that she desperately needs to function. On multiple occasions, during agonizing phone calls with government services, the agent talking to Wilbon has, upon hearing her access and care needs, offered the option of euthanasia instead of any actual goddamn help.
Squeaky Wheel reporters spoke with multiple workers from various social services for comment, but only under the condition of anonymity, for reasons that quickly became obvious. One government employee said, “Listen, this lady doesn’t seem like she has much of a life. When that happens, our policy is to gently suggest medically assisted suicide! What’s the huge deal?”
“Of course I don’t have much of a life!” said Wilbon, upon hearing this testimony. “None of my needs are met! But that’s actually a pretty easy fix!”
Another poor bastard tasked with working the phones said, “We in no way mean to suggest that disabled people deserve to die, but… wait, this is coming out wrong…”
“Believe it or not,” Wilbon explained wryly, “I don’t actually want to stop existing. I just want to be in less pain! But everyone is like, ‘Oooh, you need a ramp? You need caretakers? Why don’t you just off yourself instead?'”
One middle manager The Squeaky Wheel spoke to was particularly cold: “Look, euthanasia is an inexpensive option! As much as we hate the conflict, there are budget concerns! How much help can we really offer?”
Wilbon, feeling ironically motivated and hopeful, decided, “I’m waking up tomorrow just to spite these assholes!”