BrainStorm by UsAgainstAlzheimer's

Ep 97: The Right to Choose - Diane Rehm on Autonomy, Aging, and End-of-Life Dignity


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Diane Rehm, the legendary 89-year-old NPR talk show host, discusses her passionate advocacy for medical aid in dying with BrainStorm host, Meryl Comer. Rehm’s view was shaped by her husband John's difficult death from Parkinson's disease and the experience transformed her into a fierce advocate for end-of-life autonomy. She's adamant that if diagnosed with serious illness or early signs of Alzheimer's, she would travel to Switzerland rather than undergo treatment or lose her cognitive capacity, declaring that legislators have "no right to control my decision as to when I die."

Despite confronting these weighty topics, Diane exemplifies what researchers call a "superager"—maintaining remarkable physical and cognitive health through decades of Pilates, a disciplined diet, active social engagement, and continued work. She also reflects on her storied broadcasting career, lamenting how modern media has become siloed and less committed to presenting multiple perspectives, while emphasizing her core philosophy that "a talk show should really be called a listening show"—valuing ordinary people's voices as much as those of distinguished leaders.

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BrainStorm by UsAgainstAlzheimer'sBy Meryl Comer, UsAgainstAlzheimer's

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