A Fight for the Right to Live

Author:

Wolf, Michelle Marie

Area of Honors:

Journalism

Degree:

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type:

Thesis

Thesis Supervisors:

Ann Louise Kuskowski, Thesis Supervisor
Russell Frank, Thesis Honors Advisor

Keywords:

als
journalism
righttotry
communications
broadcast

Abstract:

This paper examines the national controversy surrounding the “Right to Try.” The “Right to Try” is the name of a piece of legislation that enables a person who is terminally ill to have access to an experimental treatment, even if it is not approved by the FDA. While there are many diseases in the world, I chose to focus on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and those who battle the disease. I will discuss how their stories tie into the “Right to Try” movement and will analyze the effectiveness of such legislation. The purpose of my PSA A Fight for the Right to Live is to inform and provide an up-close and personal view of what it is like to slowly become a prisoner inside of your own body and to live your remaining days knowing that there is a potential drug out there that could slow down your disease. However, because of state and national laws, you don’t have access to it. It is a story of hardship, hope, and the unwavering strength of one family as they fight to make a change. Unfortunately, their story is not uncommon and is not exclusive to just one disease. It can happen to anyone and the harsh reality is that no one gives it a second thought until it happens to them.