Press Conference Announcement by the Coalition of Physicians for Social Justice - Choosing to live with good care and dignity: A case of severe Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

MONTREAL, June 5, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ -

Date: Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Time: 10:00 AM to 12:00 noon
Location: 710 Acadia Road, Lachine, QC H8T 2V8

Today, at the home and at the bedside of Dr. Frank Humphrey, a press conference will be held to demonstrate the value of human life. Dr. Humphrey is a sixty-five-year-old quadriplegic Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) survivor who lives at home on a ventilator. He recently has published a book on the origins of the universe.

At the press conference, two physicians will be present. Dr. Paul Saba is his family doctor as well as co-president of the Coalition of Physicians for Social Justice. Dr. Ron Olivenstein, chief of the Montreal Thoracic Hospital, has an in-depth experience with patients who are thought to be "ideal candidates" for euthanasia, patients with neurodegenerative diseases such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig) or muscular dystrophy.

These physicians will discuss the importance of making appropriate medical resources available so that these patients lead an acceptable quality of life for themselves and their families. They will also discuss the importance of providing access to excellent supportive and/or palliative care so that severely ill patients will be able to die in dignity and without suffering. These goals do not require euthanasia.

Also present will be the wife of Dr. Humphrey, Daria Humphrey, who will answer questions about the daily care for her husband.

SOURCE: Coalition of Physicians for Social Justice

Dr. Paul Saba:
514‐886‐3447
514‐249‐8541