Posted by jujube on February 14, 2005, at 11:55:58
In reply to Re: actsof love (trigger) » jujube, posted by Toph on February 14, 2005, at 7:01:09
Yes, you are so right, it is extremely complicated. And, it is, and will likely continue to be, a contentious and potentially divisive societal debate, albeit one that needs to take place in earnest I would think. Nevertheless, no matter how much it would pain me to see someone I loved wasting away in a hospital, unable to care for themself, I would not disregard their wishes. I guess it comes down to respect and dignity (which, in these cases, can be at odds with each other).
Just an aside, did you ever see the show Picket Fences? I saw it a couple of times, and there was one episode that centered around the right to die. It was about ten years ago, and it was very interesting and thought provoking for me.
Take care Toph.
Tamara
> I have siimilar thoughts as you, jujube, though in case something terrible should happen to my wife, it is my responsibility as her health car agent to respect her opposing views about expraordinary medical interventions.
>
> In the Netheralands, infamous for their liberal views on end of life decision-making, they believe that Americans have got the whole thing backwards. It is my understanding that in that country only physician assisted suicide is permitted whereby competent critically ill patients decide to commit suicide via physicians. Here, we allow surrogates via power of attorneys for health care documents to consent to terminating life supports on incompetent indiviuals who cannot speak for themselves or change their minds since the execution of the document. The former is a conscious directive, the later, a so-called advance directive.
>
> Complicated stuff, but something everyone of us should be discussing with our closest friends and partners.
>
> Toph
poster:jujube
thread:457210
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/relate/20050212/msgs/457609.html