The Patients’ Rights Action Fund Recognizes the Passing of Disability Advocate Norm DeLisle.

The Patients’ Rights Action Fund is saddened to learn of the death of Norm DeLisle, a longtime Michigan disability advocate and colleague in our fight against assisted suicide. Norm was a retired Army Sargent who self-described as having suicidal ideations since childhood stemming from chronic depression and anxiety. He was especially concerned that people with significant disabilities struggled daily with suicide thoughts coming from isolation from real support. He indicated in his writings that people with disabilities, many of whom are veterans, felt worthless and believed that others thought that limited resources were wasted on them.

The Michigan Alliance for Ethical Care relied on Norm’s voice at meetings and for the presentations he gave. In the words of fellow disability advocate Susan Fitzmaurice, “I am heartsick. Michigan has lost one her finest disability advocates. Norm was like no other. He was a tremendous force of nature. His impact was felt in every corner of this country.” His silenced voice is a true loss and will be remembered for years to come.