Euthansia and Living Wills

I have very strong feelings about euthanasia. Euthanasia is completely wrong and indefensible in my mind; no matter who the person involved is; no matter what the stage of life; no matter what the medical condition of that person.

I have these strong views, in part, because if my first doctors had had their way I wouldn’t have made it through the first month of my life. My parents stood their ground against those doctors in making the decision to give me every possible medical treatment to save and improve the quality of my life in those first few days. Because of the severity of the birth defect I was born with the doctors told my parents; I would never walk, I would likely have brain damage, and that I would never be a productive member of society. Thanks to God, my parents, and one incredibly skilled surgeon none of those predictions came true.

I believe that God uses situations like mine and the Terry Schiavo case, and all trials no matter how great or small, for the good of those affected. It’s pretty clear that nearly all of the American population, and probably a lot of people around the world, have been exposed to the Schiavo case. My hope is that there will be good that comes out of this. The good that I hope comes to most people through this is that people will see the importance of the living will.
If she had had a living will the courts, and all involved would know who she wanted to be in charge of making the decisions at the end of her life. She would have also given that person, or persons, the guidelines by which to make those decisions. I have established my wishes through a living will as well as had discussions with those I designated to make those decisions. That way everyone, the doctors, my family, the courts etc will know who has that power. This I think is a major problem in this case. Both her husband and parents feel they have the right to make these decisions. I hope they are making their stands with pure intentions and love for their family member, and that there are no ulterior motives involved.

My hope is that everyone will contact a lawyer, or get the do-it-yourself kits to create a living will. Have conversations with the people involved and make sure your wishes are known. This whole case would have been resolved 15 years ago if she had had those documents in place. Now that she has passed the family fighting seems to be continuing. Yet again, things that could have been avoided if the proper documents, and conversations, had been handled.