The Right to Die
I've never written about this before, but I've been without parents for the past several years.
Though I miss my mom and dad and think of them often, I feel lucky because both of them died without having to undergo the pain, expense, and indignities associated with protracted illnesses and hospital horrors and nightmares.
You see, I believe that each of us should have 100% control over when and how we die.
Sadly, most of us don't have that control here in America.
Even if we have living wills, audio taped directions, and loud relatives who know what we want, the chances are if we end up in a hospital to die, the doctors and lawyers are going to make the decisions about how we check out.
Well, I finished reading an empowering new book the other day written by a man named William H. Colby.
Entitled Unplugged: Reclaiming Our Right to Die in America, this book is the most sane and thorough presentation I've ever seen on the topic of death in America.
If you were as appalled as I was by the manipulation, exploitation, and general insanity surrounding the Terri Schiavo case, you'll have a much better understanding of exactly what happened to her (and to others like her) by reading Unplugged.
The most frightening fact of the matter is that exactly the same thing that happened to Terri Schiavo could happen to most of us because we haven't made the proper "just in case" preparations.
You see, contrary to common belief, living wills are ignored all too often by the men and women in the white coats running the hospitals and making decisions for their patients.
Happily, the author of Unplugged provides in the appendix of his book a powerful supplement and/or alternative to living wills. Colby, you see, includes for your use a blank copy of his personal Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care Decisions, a legal document designed by a lawyer who has been involved in some of the major right to die cases of our times.
Colby represented the family of Nancy Cruzan in the first right-to-die case heard by the U.S. Supreme Court. He has appeared on Larry King Live, Hardball, Frontline, Today, CBS This Morning, and many national news network programs.
David Milch, creator of Deadwood and NYPD Blue, writes, "Unplugged's story-telling captures one's attention while its scope and clarity command thoughtful concern. As we seek to exercise control in some aspects of circumstances in which control is often hard-won or illusory, this book's ultimate message is both insightful and reassuring. It should be read by everyone at the risk for dying."
I couldn't have said it better myself.
If you're interested in having some control when it's time for you to die, Unplugged is a must read.
If you have thoughts on the right to die, click on the comment link below and share them with me.
Chet Day
Editor, The Natural Health Circus
http://chetday.com
Though I miss my mom and dad and think of them often, I feel lucky because both of them died without having to undergo the pain, expense, and indignities associated with protracted illnesses and hospital horrors and nightmares.
You see, I believe that each of us should have 100% control over when and how we die.
Sadly, most of us don't have that control here in America.
Even if we have living wills, audio taped directions, and loud relatives who know what we want, the chances are if we end up in a hospital to die, the doctors and lawyers are going to make the decisions about how we check out.
Well, I finished reading an empowering new book the other day written by a man named William H. Colby.
Entitled Unplugged: Reclaiming Our Right to Die in America, this book is the most sane and thorough presentation I've ever seen on the topic of death in America.
If you were as appalled as I was by the manipulation, exploitation, and general insanity surrounding the Terri Schiavo case, you'll have a much better understanding of exactly what happened to her (and to others like her) by reading Unplugged.
The most frightening fact of the matter is that exactly the same thing that happened to Terri Schiavo could happen to most of us because we haven't made the proper "just in case" preparations.
You see, contrary to common belief, living wills are ignored all too often by the men and women in the white coats running the hospitals and making decisions for their patients.
Happily, the author of Unplugged provides in the appendix of his book a powerful supplement and/or alternative to living wills. Colby, you see, includes for your use a blank copy of his personal Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care Decisions, a legal document designed by a lawyer who has been involved in some of the major right to die cases of our times.
Colby represented the family of Nancy Cruzan in the first right-to-die case heard by the U.S. Supreme Court. He has appeared on Larry King Live, Hardball, Frontline, Today, CBS This Morning, and many national news network programs.
David Milch, creator of Deadwood and NYPD Blue, writes, "Unplugged's story-telling captures one's attention while its scope and clarity command thoughtful concern. As we seek to exercise control in some aspects of circumstances in which control is often hard-won or illusory, this book's ultimate message is both insightful and reassuring. It should be read by everyone at the risk for dying."
I couldn't have said it better myself.
If you're interested in having some control when it's time for you to die, Unplugged is a must read.
If you have thoughts on the right to die, click on the comment link below and share them with me.
Chet Day
Editor, The Natural Health Circus
http://chetday.com
posted by Chet Day at 3:07 PM
I'll
email you a simple apple cleansing program you can use to lose weight
and gain energy as soon as you sign up for my free newsletter, Health
& Beyond.
4 Comments:
In Bible times and 100 years ago people were allowed to die "with dignity". The family gathered around and gave comfort and then closed the deceased eye lids and prepared them for burial. Now days the hospitals all but prop open the eyelids with toothpicks to keep people alive. I have too many feelings about this subject to take up a lot of space but why should an individual with a debili- tating disease be forced to commit suicide or even worse cause a loving family member to commit a crime by helping end the life of their loved one? Yes, there are lots of legal and moral issues to deal with here but that is ONLY because the powers at be have taken over the ACT that belongs ONLY TO GOD.
My mother was 93 when she died with a stroke. She had told me her wishes not to be kept alive in a nursing home. I had a compassionate young Dr. who agreed to take her off life support. He cried with the family as it was done. He thanked US for our compassion for our loved one. Now that is how it SHOULD be done!
Once we reach an age of reasoning (very young and imature children may not be capable of making wise decisions)our lives and the way we live depend on our choices.
Since we have the right to choose how we LIVE, why not have the right to choose how WE die.
I think of the many unfortunate people that did/do not have a choice in their method of dying, military, murder etc.
I am in favor of "Right to Die"
The Right to die should be left to individuals through their families. Doctors, lawyers and judges have no business deciding the fate of anyone except their own kin. Most families do not talk about death as much as they should. We all know it is inevitable, it is just a matter of time. The plans we make when we are of sound mind should be honored. It is very embarrasing to leave a court to decide one's fate.
I am somewhat divided on this issue.
Personally, I want to live as long as possible, kept alive even if I can't do a thing for myself or they think I might be a vegetable. I just don't like the alternative, guaranteed oblivion.
Even so, that's a rather brutal way to live. Some people don't want that. I may not look up to people who wish to die in that aspect of their lives, but I do not hate them for it, and such people are often impressive in many other ways. They deserve the respect of having their wishes followed.
We all choose the meaning of our own lives. Mine is to live as long as possible. Others might choose to leave a lasting image, children, legacy, stories, or even the satisfaction of having kept humanity going so far. I respect that. Forcing people to live who don't wish to is just inefficient.
I expand this to all people who wish to die. I believe they should all receive counseling, be it the depressed teenager or the chronically in pain elderly man in the hospital. They should be given a chance to regain hope. If, however, they retain their choice for some time with a clear mind, and clearly state their reasons, I will not deny them.
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home