sigma7: Sims (Default)
sigma7 ([personal profile] sigma7) wrote2005-03-21 06:47 pm

Post-living

Thoughts on Terri Schiavo, from someone who met her.

I'm of more than a few minds on the whole issue. Er, issues, really, because there's plenty being brought up here. There's the right to die. There's the government's authority and fervent willingness to intervene in a euthenasia scenario. There's the questionable (nonexistent?) documentation. There's the idea that, in lack of such documentation, that there is a moral obligation to default to life. There's the next-of-kin spouse versus "blood" relatives aspect. There are more than enough angles from which to approach this abysmal situation and there's an absolute certainty that no one is going to win, least of all her.

[identity profile] lizzyrose89.livejournal.com 2005-03-22 07:04 am (UTC)(link)
There are more than enough angles from which to approach this abysmal situation and there's an absolute certainty that no one is going to win, least of all her.

That is very sad, but also true.

*sigh*

[identity profile] erica-roo.livejournal.com 2005-03-22 03:10 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm going to keep my personal opinion to myself, but thank you so much for sharing that post... I agree wholeheartedly with it... (oh wait, that's my personal opinion... oops... ;-)

And for future reference and if anyone ever asks... if I'm in such a state, please do not let me stay in such a state. I'd rather be dead.

[identity profile] sigma7.livejournal.com 2005-03-22 05:43 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah, that's how I feel, at the moment, but I'm insulated from this whole debate by distance and security, so maybe my perspective would shift if it was someone I knew/cared about. But I don't know. I can certainly understand and empathize with the opposite viewpoint(s) in this case....

[identity profile] erica-roo.livejournal.com 2005-03-22 06:46 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm all for quality of life and supporting individual decisions. I've seen people in severe pain who had no hope for a better tomorrow and I hope that if I were ever in that position, I would have an advocate who would help me if I were unable to voice my choice.

I understand that her parents want to see signs of something there... but if my loved one's doctors were telling me that there was no chance of improvement (and had been for 15 years), I would hope that I would be able to hear it and make a decision from an informed position.

[identity profile] wenchamok.livejournal.com 2005-03-22 10:22 pm (UTC)(link)
If nothing else, it has me researching living wills on the net and prompting me to draw one up in the rather near future (as well as a regular will.....just....because I can....)