Susan Bracken

     Susan was for many years an editor of reference books and a writer of articles, ads and other non-fiction. Her off-work passion was bridge, and so her dream came true when she became editor of Ontario's bridge magazine "The Kibitzer" and entered a blissful semi-retirement. During this period her husband was diagnosed with lung cancer and the couple went through two years of agony together. Despite medical treatment, he suffered great pain, constant nausea, and much indignity. Upon his death Susan's greatest emotion was relief; the suffering was over and she hoped never to have another person in her life be so afflicted. Only three months later, Susan herself was diagnosed with lung cancer. Treatment and an operation have given her several good years, but the knowledge of what may lie ahead weighs heavily upon her. She thinks that a person in an enlightened society should have the right to ask for a peaceful end to her own life. We can end the suffering of our animals at will, but not of ourselves. How can this be? How can society be diminished in any possible way by allowing the sick and elderly to decide to die with dignity at a time of their own choosing?