I fear for my autistic grandson should anything ever happen to his parents and I am no longer here to care for him.
A friend of mine has a son with smooth brain syndrome. He is very severely disabled. Recently, they have been having trouble getting enough nutrition in him to maintain a healthy weight. He can swallow, but not chew.
She told me today that the Dr.'s are contemplating a feeding tube for him. She said it is not unusual for a person to gradually lose the ability to swallow after having a feeding tube placed.
A shiver went down my spine. They didn't know he had problems until he was 6 weeks old. As far as she is concerned, he was here, he was hers, and there was no choice to be made. She is loving and devoted and fierce in making sure this child gets the care he needs. As a society, we would condemn her for anything less than that.
But 10 years from now, will some number cruncher, some Dr., or society, determine that this child is worthless, too costly, or in need of being "allowed to die naturally"?
WE demand that she invest her whole heart in that child. To turn around, years later, and demand she starve him would be unbelievable cruelty. I have no doubt, after today, that it will eventually happen.