Not Dead Yet

An organization that has opposed assisted suicide, euthanasia and legalized medical killing, Not Dead Yet is a national disability rights group.

"Its the ultimate form of discrimination to offer people with disabilities help to die without having offered real options to live."

-Diane Coleman

Founder of Not Dead Yet

As stated on their website, Not Dead Yet was founded on April 27th, 1996, shortly after Jack Kevorkian was acquitted in the assisted suicide of two women with non- terminal disabilities. In a 1997 supreme Court rally, 500 people with disabilities protested chanting "Not Dead Yet". Since then, they have received help from eleven other national disability rights groups and eventually helped put Jack Kevorkian behind bars in 1999.

As stated on their website;

"MCIL provides non-residential, community based services by Independent Living Specialists. An Independent Living Specialist is usually a person with a disability who works with consumers (those seeking services) as a peer rather than counselor. The relationship between and Independent Living Specialist and a consumer differs from that of a counselor or social worker. The Independent Living Specialist offers their suggestions, knowledge, and life experiences to the consumer rather than a "prescribed" professional solution."

'The consumer manages the relationship by always having a choice to accept the suggestions offered by the Independent Living Specialist or to request other options to explore.'

The organization helps people with disabilities by providing them with services such as:

• Information and Refferrals
• Advocacy
• Individual Advocacy
• Peer Support
• Independent Living Skills Training

In addition to these core services as they are called, they also provide:

• Personal Assistant Register
• Barrier Free Memphis Society
• Seminars