Posted on 04/16/2005 1:28:57 PM PDT by ambrose
I am an old man. I am not naecessarily a conservative, as I do not follow what "conservatives" believe all the time.
The Schiavo case would be one such case.
It would be my view that when her brain died, she died with it.
If she could not feed herself, a feeding tube would be a medical procedure the same as a breathing machine, dialysis, heart lung machine, or any other of the many other hideous machines that enable some to inflict terrible suffering on others.
I have heard that we do not know whether she was aware. I hope she was not aware for all those long terrible agonizing years. Her limbs were so terribly contorted, unable to move to relieve a cramp, unable to scratch, unable to control bodily functions, etc. Would any sane person allow someone to endure such agony?
I have put a durable power of attorney, a living will, a do not resuscitate, and other legal documents in place to ensure that will never happen to me or my wife. I have specified feeding tubes and IV's are specefically not allowed in those cases that either I or my wife, or our attorney makes that decision.
I have carefully researched the most comfortable way to die. It is starvation and dehydration. It will be my method of choice if the need arises.
It is my fervent hope the case we here discuss does not limit the decisions my wife and I have made. I specifically would not want my relatives, including children to participate in these decisions.
I have created these documents knowing that upon my death my wife will recieve over three quarters of a million dollars in insurance. Any time the money is more important than I am she is welcome to it. It would not be a consideration for her.
One thing some have seemingly forgotten, we all will die. Whether with dignity or as doped up, suffering, incoherent, pitiful wretches.
I would not let my beloved alsatian suffer. Neither will I let my sweetheart of 43 years be tortured.
Sober1
ET, i just want to take a moment to emphasize that you are a hero to conservatism, and i totally understand your departure from the GOP.
There is just ONE BIG PROBLEM with your analysis - HER BRAIN DID NOT DIE. She was never brain dead.
You're right.
I had a long talk with Carla Iyer, who cared for Terri for months.
Terri lit up when she came in, laughed at her jokes, and even ate smuggled-in jello cubes.
Sad to see even some FReepers buying the big LIE.
my priviledge :o)
What is with these people? Even Michael Schiavo or Felos never called her brain dead!
Possibly the only way any of this makes any sense is if she actually was brain dead, then one could rationalize that the judges and the courts were correct to do what they did. Any other diagnosis would mean the courts actually killed a innocent woman. Now that is just hard to believe in America.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.