End of Life Issues
© 2005 Diana Lindstrom All Rights Reserved
Terri Shiavo has certainly grabbed the spotlight in the US. Not an easy accomplishment for a person in a permanent vegetative state!
Although I agree with the disability rights folks that the government – at any level – has no right to decide when an individual citizen dies, I disagree that the family of that individual has no right to make that decision.
The real problem here is that Mrs. Shiavo didn’t state her wishes in writing. Of course what seemingly healthy 28-year old person does? Does our society have so many problems with the idea of disability and death that it’s inconceivable to most?
So here’s the solution. Make a living will right now. Get it notarized right now. Put a copy in a safe-deposit box. And give every one of your doctors a copy of it for your file. Make sure everyone in your immediate family knows where it is and how to get it.
Those of us with disabilities know how life can change in an instant. We understand that the only way to deal with the unthinkable is to confront it. And we know what giving up at least some control of our own bodies means. A living will gives us back the control that will probably determine our fate.
Take it from someone who faces challenges every day, it’s not IF you become disabled – it’s WHEN. Be ready with a living will.
Terri Shiavo has certainly grabbed the spotlight in the US. Not an easy accomplishment for a person in a permanent vegetative state!
Although I agree with the disability rights folks that the government – at any level – has no right to decide when an individual citizen dies, I disagree that the family of that individual has no right to make that decision.
The real problem here is that Mrs. Shiavo didn’t state her wishes in writing. Of course what seemingly healthy 28-year old person does? Does our society have so many problems with the idea of disability and death that it’s inconceivable to most?
So here’s the solution. Make a living will right now. Get it notarized right now. Put a copy in a safe-deposit box. And give every one of your doctors a copy of it for your file. Make sure everyone in your immediate family knows where it is and how to get it.
Those of us with disabilities know how life can change in an instant. We understand that the only way to deal with the unthinkable is to confront it. And we know what giving up at least some control of our own bodies means. A living will gives us back the control that will probably determine our fate.
Take it from someone who faces challenges every day, it’s not IF you become disabled – it’s WHEN. Be ready with a living will.
posted by Diana Lindstrom @ Wednesday, March 30, 2005
1 comments
