Posted on 09/24/2016 2:35:27 PM PDT by Kaslin
Jerika Bolen, a 14-year-old girl with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 2, has been allowed to end her life— her own decision—by having her ventilator disconnected. She died Thursday.
Jerika had told her mother that her chronic pain, along with her very significant physical limitations (including relying on a power wheelchair), made her welcome the idea of death.
Jerika clearly was no coward. She had endured more than 30 surgeries for her condition since being diagnosed at eight months of age. Her family made it possible for her to enjoy movies, fireworks, sleepovers and a community-wide “last dance” prom this summer, before her ventilator was turned off.
I am certain Jerika suffered greatly during her inspiring life and I am certain her family endured untold psychological pain, alongside their daughter’s mental and physical anguish. And, yet, I believe that they erred in collaborating in her ending her life.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
When you take your own life you take a chance that you will not be with the Lord. God gave us free will. I hope that girl is in Heaven with God but I would not bet my life savings on it. Physical age almost always coincides with spiritual maturity and a child who is suffering is more likely predisposed to make a bad choice.
As a christian I believe you are obligated to embrace the death that God sends you. Some deaths are easier than others and only God knows why.
Freud’s idea of the death instinct = pleasure-pain principle + desire to escape from pain and return to an inorganic state that is free of tension
Finding a reason to live --- for the good of herself or for a good example to others --- even one more week, one month, one year, is also a very good thing to advanceas a positive alternative. I'm thinking she might have liked to make a music video...? With a favorite artist?
OTOH I'm not fully convinced that removing a vent is suicide, if the vent itself is terribly burdensome. I have some experience with this type of medical judgment (my own and my mother's) and in both cases, I believe we were right to go forward with the ventilator, despite the fact that it was rather ghastly and in my mother's case --- as it turned out --- futile.
Is removing a vent suicide? I could be persuaded either way. It is not morally obligatory to accept burdensome and futile treatment. And ventilation is not what's considered basic palliative care, which I think is always morally obligatory.
Comments?
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More discussion may help clarify this for me.
She had a ventilator removed. That can hardly be called "suicide". Suicide is when your body is currently able to sustain itself, without the intervention of outside heroic measure, and yet you still take your own life. And yes, suicide is sin.
This was not suicide. She was being kept alive by non organic methods. An electric ventilator. I would have requested the same thing
It’s a very difficult discussion and decision. But, her soul is not compromised by this decision !
And?
I would argue that you don't have the perspective to know what pain and torment she went through to make that decision. But God does.
:(
Horrible. RIP.
She was a child in pain, the fault lies with the doctors and parents who allowed this.
As long as she knows Jesus, she is fine. At 14, she probably fully understood the consequences of her action and death after the withdrawal of artificial ventilation is a natural death.
Pain and suffering are not new. Millions of people live with debilitating disease for their entire natural life. They pass on when God wills it. No one knows for sure if God forgives taking your own life. Its a serious decision likely better made at a more mature age.
Chronic pain at 14. To much too soon.
No matter how you cut it, this is horrific.
This young lady did not commit suicide! Our Lord had a plan to her life and destiny and she just allowed His wishes to come true.
Whatever you might think of your own life, your position on this matter shows you have not really ever suffered. You speak frivolously, as one who has only read books. IMO, if you keep it up, God will send you an opportunity to learn compassion. My advice therefore, FWIW, is that you make the effort to learn that lesson before God breaks your pride.
Physical age almost always coincides with spiritual maturity...
In my experience, that is not true at all.
May this poor darling rest in peace. It is beyond comprehension that such a young person had to pass her life in such a parody of living. I only hope that she is beyond her pain and at peace now.
Here's a link to a PDF that outlines some guidelines: http://www.ncbcenter.org/files/6914/6946/4143/What_About_Ventilators_June_2012.pdf
Wow...:(
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