Miriam and Robert Meshel chose to use California’s End of Life Option Act to access medical aid in dying. May 28, 2024. Photo credit Serene Meshel-Dillman
By Suzanne Potter Reporter/Producer, California News Service, a bureau of Public News Service.
A new documentary series looks at medical aid in dying through the eyes of terminally ill people advocating for a peaceful passing on their own terms.
The show “Take Me Out Feet First” just debuted on Amazon Prime.
First Episode of “Take Me Out Feet First”
In the first episode, Director Serene Meshel-Dillman follows her mother’s journey – and then her father’s, five years later – as they chose to pass away at home in the Bay Area, surrounded by friends and family.
“My father said, ‘If people of sound mind want to take this route out of life, they should have the right,'” said Meshel-Dillman. “‘Anytime somebody avoids pain and suffering, how can you argue with that? If this is a legal vehicle to do that, why would you want to take it away?'”
Medical aid in dying is legal in California, nine other states, and Washington, D.C. Advocates are working to pass it in the remaining 40 states.
Other episodes follow other patients, including a man who started a podcast to document his battle with a terminal illness.
The series was produced in partnership with the nonprofit Compassion & Choices. President and CEO Kim Callinan said the families featured in the show approached end-of-life care with dignity and grace.
“It really balances the heaviness of this topic with moments of genuine warmth and inspiration that demonstrates that this law is really about bringing humanity to the end of life,” said Callinan. “And that’s why so many people desperately want this option in their state.”
The California End of Life Option Act took effect in 2016.
It allows a terminally ill adult with less than six months to live to request a prescription to self-ingest and peacefully end their suffering, if they choose to take it.
