THE VALUE IN LIFE

Lynda Holler has become a powerful advocate against assisted suicide in New York State.

After all, Holler has first-hand knowledge of living with a loved one battling a terminal illness. Her husband, Kenny, suffered for over 21 years with the ravages of oral cancer, but Lynda, her husband and sons grew to see the importance and beauty of each and every day.

“We saw terrible suffering going on. My boys were suffering, I was suffering, Kenny certainly physically was suffering,” Lynda said. “But I was seeing the value in it, that his life had value and there was quality to the time we were spending together and he was really starting to impact people, really impacting people by the way he was living his life.”

Holler is the author of the book “My Name is Kenny and I Can’t Talk” and will be one of the speakers at an informational program on the proposed physician-assisted suicide legislation on Tuesday, Oct. 22, at 7 p.m. at the Capital District Irish American Association in Albany (375 Ontario St.)

The Parish of Mater Christi, Knights of Columbus, Council 173, Ancient Order of Hibernians, Albany Chapter, and the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians are the sponsors, and Matthew Lynch, M.D. and Kathryn Carroll, ESQ. will also be speaking at this free event. 

Advocates for assisted suicide were unable to get a vote on the bill in either house this past session in Albany, but with Gov. Andrew Cuomo signaling his willingness to sign a bill for the first time this year, expect assisted suicide to be at the top of the legislative agenda in 2020.

 “Doctor-assisted suicide has now been legalized in eight states and the District of Columbia, and its supporters have their sights set on New York. 2020 will be a critical year,” said Kathleen M. Gallagher, director of Pro-Life Activities for the New York State Catholic Conference. “We must be attentive to what our elected representatives are doing at the State Capitol. And we must be vocal in opposing assisted suicide and in supporting services and resources for the terminally ill that will enable them to live – and die – with true dignity.”

Holler, whose husband was expected to live just five years, wanted to interview people that her husband knew after his death, be it friends, firefighters or doctors. She talked with 207 people for her book and realized the profound effect one person can have on so many others.

“When I saw really the true impact that he had made and, not just in the early years when he was funny, athletic, handsome and witty, but in the end as he was really teaching people how to live and how to die,” Holler said. “He had such dignity and impact; teens saying I want to live my life like that, I want to have that kind of impact. And it really hit me how important it is for people to live their life out and show others the quality and value of life even when they are suffering.”

Holler added that the support people who are dealing with a terminal illness receive from their family, community and parishes is critical.

“The physical pain we can address and by being a community that is compassionate to people who are going through this, we can step up and help them,” Holler said. “When they have that support, they don’t want to kill themselves. It’s not an instinctive thing for us to want to commit suicide.”