RE: Uncertain where to put this.....
December 11, 2013 at 12:11 am
(This post was last modified: December 11, 2013 at 12:14 am by Raeven.)
I don't think someone other than the individual should have control over whether or not we choose to die. But we ourselves should be free to say how we choose to die -- much like a living will that simply goes a little further than "no resuscitation, no drastic measures."
Here in the State of Oregon, where I live, we are a Right to Die state. The law permits physicians to prescribe drugs for a patient to commit suicide if they are deemed within 6 months terminal by two doctors. It's not perfect, but it's a start. I am grateful to live in a place that recognizes the importance of having this measure of control over one's own death.
I see no reason why a living will directive couldn't include language such as, "If I am no longer capable to make my wishes known, and it is deemed by my designated caretaker that I no longer enjoy a quality of life such as they are aware I would wish to have, then they may choose to euthanize me. I make this stipulation with a full understanding that they may benefit from my death through inheritance." Or perhaps in this matter, one might choose someone to exercise the right who has no interest in one's estate, removing any stigma from one's heirs.
It is a problem, and yes -- if we can grant such mercy to our pets, surely we can figure out how we might grant such mercy to our loved ones as well.
ETA: LOL, PBB, we were having the same thought simultaneously!
cato, I disagree. Someone can suffer a very lot before they reach the DNR stage. A very lot, indeed.
Here in the State of Oregon, where I live, we are a Right to Die state. The law permits physicians to prescribe drugs for a patient to commit suicide if they are deemed within 6 months terminal by two doctors. It's not perfect, but it's a start. I am grateful to live in a place that recognizes the importance of having this measure of control over one's own death.
I see no reason why a living will directive couldn't include language such as, "If I am no longer capable to make my wishes known, and it is deemed by my designated caretaker that I no longer enjoy a quality of life such as they are aware I would wish to have, then they may choose to euthanize me. I make this stipulation with a full understanding that they may benefit from my death through inheritance." Or perhaps in this matter, one might choose someone to exercise the right who has no interest in one's estate, removing any stigma from one's heirs.
It is a problem, and yes -- if we can grant such mercy to our pets, surely we can figure out how we might grant such mercy to our loved ones as well.
ETA: LOL, PBB, we were having the same thought simultaneously!
cato, I disagree. Someone can suffer a very lot before they reach the DNR stage. A very lot, indeed.
