There seems to be an on going debate on a person's right to die. I believe we should have this right. If I were terminal and in great pain and was a burden to my family I should have the right to end my life and have my doctor assist me in this. I am not talking about a depressed person who is otherwise healthy. I have a friend who I made a pact with years ago that if one of us were in the hospital and a vegitable or a quadropleagic then the other would take care of the situation. Why if there were no hope of getting better and the person was brain dead or in pain would the government not give us the right to end our lives.

It's a tough call. We euthanise the pets we love when their quality of life deteriorates. Should we do the same for the people we love? The girl that's been in the news recently has been a prisoner in her own body for over 15 years. Perhaps the laws should be changed to allow humans the same courtesy we give our pets.

She is not suffering, she is not brain dead.

Taking out the feeding tube is tantamount to murder

It's a tough call. If the girl made previous her decision to die, then carry out her wish. If she did not, then it is State sanctioned murder. Hitler did the same thing to his "undesirables." Smacks of Nazi Germany to me......

quote:

Originally posted by Docbarry:
She is not suffering, she is not brain dead.

Taking out the feeding tube is tantamount to murder

Doc, I respect your opinion, but what about quality of life? Is that not a factor? Is she not entitled to some sort of dignity?

(wow Raven , what a can of worms you open )

quote:

Originally posted by Docbarry:
She is not suffering, she is not brain dead.

Taking out the feeding tube is tantamount to murder

I really do not know the entire story as far as this lady goes but I think artificial life support for people who have no chance of recovering some sort of quality of life is cruel and inhumane.

I know who makes this decision who is to live or die or what is considered a quality of life issue???

This is something that needs to be addressed ASAP especially with the new advancements in medicine, Untill then we need to honor the wishes of the person who is being kept alive by machines or other means. (So every one should clearly state what they want done if this should happen to them.

How can you say if she is suffering or not if she can't communicate the facts.????? You can't see pain. for all you know she is suffering a silent hell in her mind if as you say she is not brain dead.

I myself like Raven would not want to be kept alive in a state such as hers suffering or not, the people you love are suffering every day.

I have one of those health proxys and do not wish to kept alive.

with all these new medical break thrus people are living after accidents or illnesses that would of and should of killed them and are being kept alive artificially.

What kind of quality of life is it that these people are living???

I think we need to help people who are in such cirmunstances the ability to die with dignity, and not be kept on life support if that is there wish.

I think we all have the right to die. We also have the right to commit suicide, if that is what we want to do.

quote:

Originally posted by Docbarry:
She is not suffering, she is not brain dead.

Taking out the feeding tube is tantamount to murder

If it were me and I was in that condition PLEASE dont let me live!!!!!!!!!!!

I certainly feel we should have the right, and in Oregon, we do (for the time being). Wow Raven, something we agree on!

I think people who want to die should have the right to kill themselves.

quote:

She is not suffering, she is not brain dead.

Doc, Do we realy know this?

I have been watching this for some time as my dad is in poor health. "Experts" on both sides of the issue provide conflicting assessments.

This sad story shows why it is so important to have a health care proxy so your wishes are well known and legal. Raven's pact with his friend may be well intended, but not legal. (However, I would hope that you or he could carry out your mission if needed.)

I believe in the dignity of life. If she was my wife or daughter, I would work to end her life. She may not be suffering, but she is not living either. I feel terrible for her parents and siblings.

Jim Cavanaugh

The state telling me what I can and can't do with my body is just as bad as them telling me where I can and cannot smoke.
Should I feel the need to die, I should be able to carry this out, assisted or not.

Ummm..just read the first post and Doc's. So I might re-state someone's point...

I agree with Doc. Pulling Terri's feeding tube is tantamount to murder.

Second, you do have the right to die. My Great Grandfather wrote out that he did not want to be kept alive in a vegetative state. He did fade out and become vegetative and the feeding tubes were pulled.

It took my Great Grandfather ten (10) days to die in the hospital...this was in the late 1980's.

The argument with the Terri case is that she never wrote out what she wanted. Now the parents want one thing and the husband says another. Who do you believe?

This is not about the right to die...you DO have that option.

Sox

Okay, I read the posts now...here is the bottom line:

WRITE OUT HOW YOU WISH TO BE TREATED!

I think most know how they would handle the situation and feelings differ widely on this subject. Don't make us have to post about your vegetative-ass twenty (20) years from now.

Draft a living will! I'm sure Saul will be happy to take your money and process that document

Sox

This is one interesting and heart-wrenching situation; for all involved. And it obviously has taken on a life of its own way larger because of different interests.

My feelings are these:
Like Sox, make it clear to all WAY beforehand what you want for yourself.

To me, dying of starvation or thirst is NO way to die. If we are looking for dignity, that sure doesn't sound like it.
If Terri and her husband had discussed this possibility and she was vehement about it, then he is honoring her wishes. If he wants just to move on with life, then he needs to walk away and let her parents take over as the decision makers, period.

quote:

Originally posted by andymiami:
This is one interesting and heart-wrenching situation; for all involved. And it obviously has taken on a life of its own way larger because of different interests.

My feelings are these:
Like Sox, make it clear to all WAY beforehand what you want for yourself.

To me, dying of starvation or thirst is NO way to die. If we are looking for dignity, that sure doesn't sound like it.
If Terri and her husband had discussed this possibility and she was vehement about it, then he is honoring her wishes. If he wants just to move on with life, then he needs to walk away and let her parents take over as the decision makers, period.

I am not positive but I beleive he has already moved on with is life & he is just honoring her wishes ???????

As I said in an earlier post I do have a health proxy and do not wish to be kept on artificial life support.

First of all, she was married. When her father gave her away, that was exactly what he did, he entrusted her new husband to take care of her and look out for her best interests. If she in fact, did not want to be kept alive artificially, then he is doing his job. Someone asked him "why don't you just divorce her?" Well, marriage is till death do us part. She died 15 yrs ago. Let's face it, after 15 years of this, there is no hope she'll just get up one day and walk out of the hospital. I had a 22 yr old female friend go through the same exact thing. She lived for three years after. She died of pnemonia, and as hard as it was to bury her, I knew she was better off. Her parents are being selfish, they're wanting to keep her alive because THEY can't say goodbye...

quote:

Originally posted by raven35031:

quote:

Originally posted by Docbarry:
She is not suffering, she is not brain dead.

Taking out the feeding tube is tantamount to murder

If it were me and I was in that condition PLEASE dont let me live!!!!!!!!!!!

Raven,
If your buddy don't come thru for you, I am sure it would not be hard to find a few members from the forum who would be glad to help you out.
(just a joke hope you never have to worry about that)

quote:

Originally posted by The Eye:
First of all, she was married. When her father gave her away, that was exactly what he did, he entrusted her new husband to take care of her and look out for her best interests. If she in fact, did not want to be kept alive artificially, then he is doing his job. Someone asked him "why don't you just divorce her?" Well, marriage is till death do us part. She died 15 yrs ago. Let's face it, after 15 years of this, there is no hope she'll just get up one day and walk out of the hospital. I had a 22 yr old female friend go through the same exact thing. She lived for three years after. She died of pnemonia, and as hard as it was to bury her, I knew she was better off. Her parents are being selfish, they're wanting to keep her alive because THEY can't say goodbye...

There also needs to be a timeframe of how long either insurance companies or the government will continue to pay to keep someone alive who is never going to be able to wake up, get well, go home and feel fine. No wonder the health care costs in the U.S. are so high.

It is also too bad that more people do not have their "wishes" fully spelled out with a Living Trust, Durable Power of Attorney for financial concerns and also Durable Power of Attorney for health situations.

Sox has it right(IMO). It's not about right to die, it's about expressing how you want your affairs handled.

The husband says that the Teri said she did not want to live in this state. Funny thing (not funny..Ha..Ha.) is that it appears the timing of this revelation is a bit suspect.

Maybe if she had told several people this feeling...but it's tough to go on one person's statement when it comes to letting someone die or killing them(depending upon your view).

When in doubt, I feel you have to error on the side of life. ALWAYS