Actually, I’m going to be, with or without permission. Having said that, I’m sure you expect nothing less from me, being the mouthpiece of such an important organisation (DignitySA).
The thing is this:
When I started as Administrator of DignitySA almost two months ago, it was with much pride, enthusiasm, determination that I took on the ‘task’. I was so sure that I would be able, in a very short space of time, to raise the memberships, following, awareness and donations that DignitySA so sorely needs in order to make a success of its pledge and commitment to changing the laws in SA as it relates to assisted dying.
What I found is as follows:
Generally speaking, people tend to say much, but do little. In a recent News24 poll which, within 24 hours 20,000 people voted in favour of euthanasia and 2,000 against. I was so thrilled to see how many people were in favour of what is, unquestionably, a human right: the right to die with dignity. However, converting those 20,000 votes into signatures on our petition, memberships or donations has proved to be incredibly difficult. Why?
Are people not aware of us? Are people too lazy or disinterested to click one page further? Are people all talk and no action?
So very many people commend us for our efforts, yet so few actually do something about it. So many write to us with their tragic stories and requests for assistance. Yet so few actually put their money where their mouths are.
Is it a human thing? Is it something we’re doing ‘wrong’? Or not doing? Or is it ‘merely’ that insidious virus that plagues South Africa? Apathy?
This is absolutely not a judgement on anyone – just a quest for understanding. And yes, help and advice would be most welcome too. As would signatures, memberships, donations.
Go to www.dinitysa.com for more info or to become a member or make a donation or follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/DignitySAfrica, befriend us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/#!/dignity.sa.7 or like our (under construction) Facebook Community Page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dignity-South-Africa/212102518918659. To sign our petition, go here: https://www.change.org/petitions/dignitysa-legalise-assisted-dying. We can't do this on our own.
I look forward to your comments and opinions.
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