Women Has “Rebirth” Party One Month After California Passes Physician-Assisted Suicide Law

In July, Betsy Davis sent out invitations to her “rebirth” party, one that required emotional stamina, centeredness, and openness. The party would conclude with a physician-assisted suicide. For the past three years, Betsy had been losing control of her body due to ALS. Her party came one month after California passed a law that gave terminally ill patients the option to hasten death. Her friends and family were at peace knowing she was able to turn her departure into a work of art.

See Karen Mizoguchi, Terminally Ill California Woman with ALS Throws One Last Party Before Ending Her Life, People, August 11, 2016.