This week, read our recap on the week our staff spent in Washington DC. Our team at PRAF meets together in person once a year, so we gathered in DC and spent time together celebrating the last year, planning ahead for year ahead, and attending various events around the city.

As you may know, we also hosted two screening's of Liz Carr's documentary, Better Off Dead?, alongside several partner organizations. One of these events was on Capitol Hill for legislators, and another for the disability community a the DC Public Library. We are grateful for the success of these events and the impact of Liz Carr's documentary on audiences all over the world. Read more below on these events!

The incredible and talented Liz Carr, famous actress and disability activist, joined us all the way from the UK to speak at Capitol Hill and screen her documentary, Better Off Dead?

This was an exclusive event for Members of Congress, their staff, government officials, journalists, and host partners. 

We are incredibly grateful to Not Dead Yet and DREDF for co-sponsoring the event! Liz spoke boldly about the ways assisted suicide laws target people with disabilities. Additionally, Rep. Lou Correa (D-CA) and Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH) spoke to the attendees sharing their bipartisan opposition to assisted suicide laws. Emily Voorde, Vice Chair of the National Council on Disability, introduced Liz Carr and shared figures from the National Council on Disability's report on the ways assisted suicide harms people with disabilities. 

Again, we are grateful for the support of our partners and the participation of the speakers for this monumentous event. 

Thanks to the National Council on Disability, United Spinal Association, American Association of People with Disabilities, and Not Dead Yet for co-sponsoring this event. 

Additional thanks to our panelists: Liz Carr (Disability Rights Advocate, Actress, and Filmmaker) Sherman Gillums, Jr. (PRAF Board Member), Stephen Lieberman (United Spinal Association), Jessica Podesva (National Council on Independent Living), and Shonda McLaughlin (Not Dead Yet).

Some of our team members had the distinct honor of attending the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law Annual Awards Ceremony. It was a privilege to hear of the incredible work they are doing and to support their cause by attending.

While we were busy with several events, we had the opportunity to take some time, slow down, and celebrate the work done over the last year to fight against assisted suicide. We did some professional and team development. Our staff enjoyed a wonderful time together! This time of rest and reflection was rewarding for PRAF!

PRAF is a leading national, non-partisan single-issue organization that protects the rights of patients, people with disabilities, older adults, and other historically underrepresented groups from deadly harm and discrimination inherent in assisted suicide laws.

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