“Me Before You” Movie – Suicide Glamorized for Disabled
When I first saw the previews for “Me Before You” movie, the plot or point of it was not really defined. Upon further investigation, it left me disturbed by its encouraging romantic ideology that suicide is beautiful and loving for the disabled.
The dictionary definition of disabled is as follows: incapacitated by illness or injury; also : physically or mentally impaired in a way that substantially limits activity especially in relation to employment or education.
This definition means differently in other countries. For example, in Belgium, a disability could mean having depression, an eating disorder, or some other malady that could cause doctors, government and even parents justification for assisted euthanasia. These types of disabilities can be helped and even cured.
Belgium Signs Child Euthanasia Bill into Law
In the past several decades the value of life has been substantially lowered. This is especially true of those who have disabilities, disorders, and other ailments. To make it more acceptable for the general public, Hollywood and other media organizations have glorified suicide. Their goal is to soften the message so that it doesn’t have to be sad, scary, or unacceptable.
Take for example, Robin Williams. After the news picked up the story of his suicide death, the media were posting words such as, “He’s finally free!” or “Free Aladdin!”
This only perpetuated the thoughts for teens and children that suicide can make you happy and be free of whatever is bothering you. As I have mentioned many times before, children and teens do not have the ability to reason or comprehend how to get out of a crisis. Their maturity level is based on the growth in the frontal lobe cortex of the brain. This is why we encourage counseling to help them sort out the issues and struggles they are dealing with.
Not one of these media agencies took accountability or responsibility that their words after William’s death could actually encourage suicide for those who were in crisis. Teen and children are the most vulnerable and influenced by those in Hollywood.
Now we are again confronted with this same issue. Hollywood and the media are encouraging suicide by deceptively intertwining a young couple’s love story into a drama with a pro-euthanasia and doctor-assisted suicide message.
We are already seeing many signs in this country of parental rights being stripped away regarding the welfare of their children/teens. The government determines and dictates what is a family crisis or what is in the best interest of the child.
It has not happened yet, but I believe we will see cases in the future in which the government will remove children and teens in crisis. Will they have the authority also to determine who lives or dies? We have the ability now to be our child/teen’s advocate and find resources to help them without interference. How long this will last, I do not know.
What I do know is that we must encourage and uplift our children/teens in crisis that they are worth EVERYTHING to us and to God. We must reiterate to them that no matter what disability they are struggling with, they are loved, supported, and will be helped every step of the way.
Lastly, let us show our children that their lives DO matter and suicide is NOT the answer. They are made in the image of God and precious in His sight. They have value beyond their disabilities. Their disability does NOT define them or how God or you as a parent love them.
In the end, I would implore parents to speak up against this movie. We are the voice of those who cannot speak for themselves. If we don’t speak up and take a stand, then euthanasia will become acceptable across this land in ways that we could never imagine. Let us protect our children!
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Why are you making decisions over other people’s bodies?
Robin Williams didn’t feel like continuing to live. His suicide worked and good for him. I’m in the same boat. Life is uninteresting for me and overall pointless.
I was born without consent. I could never refuse or reject life. I was forced into a game whose rules are messy and I don’t agree with. Why do I have to continue on?
What’s so wrong about assisted suicide? You don’t want to die, good for you. Some of us do. Let my people go.
If there is a God and he is merciful, he will make suicide painless. He will give us the choice.
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
I want to say thank you for sharing the struggle, the hurt and the pain that you so thoughtfully put into your words. My heart broke as I read them. My daughter once said to me in a frank discussion about suicide, “Do you know why I like death so much,” she asked? I asked why. She responded, “Because death doesn’t hurt you, life does.” She also wasn’t given a choice to live. In fact, you used the same words you spoke to me. Because she is of a culture that is highly discriminated against, she was placed in an orphanage. She didn’t know a language or could walk over the age of 2. When she grew up, she felt worthless, abandoned, and hated God for creating her. She self-harmed and tried to kill herself more than once. She was only 9. She also had to deal with PTSD and other issues. Despite all of our love and counsel for her, she still struggled. So we prayed. Her life began to change in a huge way after that. She now understands why she went through all that she did. She feels she has a purpose now in life and that she wasn’t a mistake made by God. In a few weeks she will be 18. Her goal now is to give help and encouragement to others who feel the way she did. She wants them to know that you CAN be fulfilled, loved, and even happy. She knows the world is messy with brokenness. That is why her message to others is filled with hope. That hope can only be given by God. Without Him, she would be in a grave. I leave you with one thing. A video. A man who also saw suicide as the answer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kxSrPD__BA