TODAY’S WORRY
There’s been a firestorm of media and political attention on Terri Schiavo, the woman who has been in a vegetative state for the last 15 years. Her husband feels that it was Schiavo’s desire not to be kept alive by extra-ordinary means. Her parents feel differently and are fighting to keep her alive. This prompted us to sit down with our children and let them know our wishes. I think it is important to have these discussions even if they are uncomfortable. We have also indicated what should be done in the living will portion of our will. It is crucial that your wishes be written down and that the people who would have to make the decisions about your life know where that piece of paper is. I would not want my children or husband to have to make an uninformed decision and live with the burden of it.
You might want to check your facts before publishing in your blog. Terri Schiavo is NOT in a “persistent vegetative state”. She responds apropriately to visitors, can make her wishes known with regard to pain and pleasure and could, if her “husband” would allow it, be taught to swallow in order that her feeding tube be rendered unnecessary. Additionally, since she is not terminal, breathes on her own and all of her organs are in excellent working order, her feeding tube is not considered “life support”.
That being said, the great unwashed who have now flocked to websites and attorneys offices need to consider that living wills would not address situations such as that in which Terri has found herself. Living wills are only effective as it pertains to “heroic efforts” which would keep someone who is otherwise unable to live without true “life support” alive. In other words, a person who is in a true “vegetative state” without brain activity and unable to breathe on his own, thus requiring a ventilator. Living wills will NOT obviate the type of situation where a person is still alive and able to live without assistance. The order to kill a person in this state would still require action from the courts. Unfortunately it has become patently clear that by today’s standards the courts are perfectly willing to enter those killing fields.
Goodness! That was a very strong comment considering that all I suggested is that parents and adult children should talk about and make clear their wishes about their end of life decisions. In my will, there is a section called “statement of desires” in the “Durable Power of Attorney” section. There are two boxes. You can check one that chooses to prolong life and one not to prolong life. It seems to me that no matter which side of this issue you are on, that having someone know your wishes is a good thing. The great unwashed? To whom do you refer? People who have a section in their will saying that they want their life to be prolonged as long as possible? Or people who say they don’t want this done? Or is it just people who go to attorneys or read websites? What a lot of unwashed people.
It doesn’t seem to me that Jean-Marie has her ducks or facts all in a row….
Kind of seemed that way to me too.
As it relates to Terri Schiavo, my facts are, indeed, all lined up nicely as ducks in a row. I have a background in hospice and recognize a patient who is NOT terminal when I see one. As commented,Terri is NOT PVS and the mainstream media has been unfairly referring to her as such. It is curious as to why the media won’t tell the real story and it is for that reason that there is such a “firestorm” in this country currently. Polls are taken as to whether she should live or die but the questions are skewed in such a manner that the outcome is inconsequential.
As for Durable Power of Attorney, that is not the same as a living will and it does not ensure that your wishes will be carried out as they pertain to life support. All Durable Power does is assign someone to carry out those wishes. However, if you have not set down advance directives a living will does not protect your interests. Advance directives are different entirely from a living will.
And, oh, by the way, the name is not Jean Marie.
Wow. I wonder why all that indignation had to come out in your direction? I hope you’ll continue to post your opinions, Mary, in spite of, well, spite.
Thanks, Jen. I certainly enjoy hearing different opinions. It’s important to try to understand other people’s point of view. In our family, we are always discussing issues and different interpretations. We don’t always agree but we never feel that there’s something wrong with the person we disagree with.