A few last thoughts ... a final message from Rusty Martin, former DMCW
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Frank Cordaro
Aug 14, 2026, 6:06:06 PMAug 14
to National CW E-mail List, Jerry Windley-Daoust, Joanne Kennedy, joan cavanagh
A few last thoughts...
Hello, I’m Rusty Martin.
Tomorrow morning, I’m leaving Iowa for the last time.
I want to thank everyone who’s reached out to me. I’m trying to read every email, but my cognitive “gas tank” is not what it used to be!
I am lucky to have had so many great people in my life. Much of the time, we were working to make things better. Thank you!
I have an important message to share, and I’d like you to pass it on. If you or someone you know, appears to be having memory issues, get it checked out!
Did you know that there’s a blood test that tells you for certain if you have Alzheimer's or not? I wish I had that test back in 2021. That’s when I started talking with my doctor about the struggles I was having at work, and at home.
Believe me when I say this: After I met Dr Yogi Shah at the Broadlawns Memory Center in Des Moines, and was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in early 2024, everything got better for me and for everyone who loves me.
From that day on, my family focused on making every day count.
And we have!
Alzheimer's is a fatal, incurable disease that gets worse as you go along. That’s why I started planning to legally end my life the day I was diagnosed. Unfortunately, to end my life in a legal, dignified manner, I’m forced to travel halfway around the world to Switzerland.
Why? What is the point of keeping my body alive years after I’ve lost my mind? I believe each of us has the right to a dignified death.
Many Iowans have told me they agree. They want the option to die peacefully, at home, while they are still able to make this decision. There are too many painful stories of loved ones who needlessly suffered, sometimes while begging for a more dignified death.
Iowans, we can and should do better.
There’s an election this November. Please ask the candidates for governor and the state legislature if they support the right to die with dignity.
It’s up to you to change our state’s laws.
With gratitude and hope for a better Iowa.
Thank you,
Rusty
Hello, I’m Rusty Martin.
Tomorrow morning, I’m leaving Iowa for the last time.
I want to thank everyone who’s reached out to me. I’m trying to read every email, but my cognitive “gas tank” is not what it used to be!
I am lucky to have had so many great people in my life. Much of the time, we were working to make things better. Thank you!
I have an important message to share, and I’d like you to pass it on. If you or someone you know, appears to be having memory issues, get it checked out!
Did you know that there’s a blood test that tells you for certain if you have Alzheimer's or not? I wish I had that test back in 2021. That’s when I started talking with my doctor about the struggles I was having at work, and at home.
Believe me when I say this: After I met Dr Yogi Shah at the Broadlawns Memory Center in Des Moines, and was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in early 2024, everything got better for me and for everyone who loves me.
From that day on, my family focused on making every day count.
And we have!
Alzheimer's is a fatal, incurable disease that gets worse as you go along. That’s why I started planning to legally end my life the day I was diagnosed. Unfortunately, to end my life in a legal, dignified manner, I’m forced to travel halfway around the world to Switzerland.
Why? What is the point of keeping my body alive years after I’ve lost my mind? I believe each of us has the right to a dignified death.
Many Iowans have told me they agree. They want the option to die peacefully, at home, while they are still able to make this decision. There are too many painful stories of loved ones who needlessly suffered, sometimes while begging for a more dignified death.
Iowans, we can and should do better.
There’s an election this November. Please ask the candidates for governor and the state legislature if they support the right to die with dignity.
It’s up to you to change our state’s laws.
With gratitude and hope for a better Iowa.
Thank you,
Rusty
----
Also see: I’m deciding to die before Alzheimer’s takes my mind | Opinion https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/wellness/i-m-deciding-to-die-before-alzheimer-s-takes-my-mind-opinion/ar-AA29HOsW?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=EDGEXST&cvid=6a78d60d74a94f96a75f3f3f23a0caf0&ei=11
Frank Cordaro
cell 515 490 2490
cell 515 490 2490
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