The Chad Simon Family
Posted on 07/14/2005 2:20:38 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
Wife Plans To Uphold Monona Marine's Living Will; Friend Believes Chad Simon Is Responsive
MADISON, Wis. -- When you think of right to die cases, the name Terry Schiavo comes to mind. Now a similar situation is brewing with a Monona Marine who was badly injured in Iraq last year -- and now is in hospice care.
Staff Sgt. Chad Simon, a member of the 2-24 Marines Company G, suffered a severe brain injury following an explosion of a roadside bomb in Iraq. He was was treated in Iraq, Bethesda, Md., and in Madison while community fundraisers for the family brought in more than $14,000.
His wife Regina is guardian and has power of attorney and now makes his decisions for him. She planned to carry out the conditions of his living will.
However a good friend of Chad's has stepped forward saying he's showing signs of life. The friend talked to News 3 on condition of anonymity out of fear of retribution from a third party. The friend said Chad is responsive and progressing.
Regina had Chad's feeding tube removed Friday only to have it put back in again Monday, News 3 reported.
Questions About Chad Simon's Condition
Her attorney, Jack Schuster, said that because she wanted to reflect and consider the implications of this decision -- he's said all along she's following his wishes. But his friend said that Chad shows emotion and gives responses when you ask him questions.
"If he was in a permanent state, yes, he has the right to die, and it should be honored," the friend said. "But I don't feel that he's in a permanent vegetative state and shouldn't be taken out of life. I've seen him pick the correct object when asked to, pick the correct color, eat ice cream, ice chips, nod yes and know when asked questions Schuster said that there is always speculation with brain injuries.
"Regina is not aware of any responses from Chad suggesting a cognitive awareness," Schuster said. "There are certainly movements and responses that suggest there is some kind of brain activity, but I'm not aware of there being any verbalization. That's one of the reasons Regina is reflecting on this situation."
His wife, Regina, issued a statement Tuesday saying Simon left a living will outlining explicit expressions that leave no room for confusion.
She said she intends to see that her husband's wishes are implemented. She also asked for private time for her and her son to grieve.
The Chad Simon Family
What a tragic situation for everyone.
Doesn't really sound all that similar to me....this hero has a living will.....we know how he was injured.....
Prayers for this family in carrying out his written wishes....may God bless them.
What a nice looking family. This is extremely sad.
Wow, my best friend is a corpsman in that company. I htink he worked on this guy.
It's not clear from the article that he actually wrote "Please starve me to death."
I see your point....very true.....I was just assuming that his living will did cover that possibility......hopefully with him going off to war it did cover that possibility.
With all due respect, what he wrote is "please let me die". If he needed more information as to how they would accomplish that should the occassion arise, he should have persued it before he signed that document.
Modern living wills routinely cover feeding tube removals and the odds are excellent that his was written up before he went to Iraq or thereabouts so it almost certainly includes language equivalent to: "Please starve me to death."
bump
The friend has no business interfering in the marital bond - especially where a living will is concerned.
This is cruel to do to his wife.
He should have been a man and talked to her about it directly rather than anonymously going to the media.
No it's not clear but that's what my living will says and most do. There is rarely a provision for an affirmative action to cause death, doctors and the family have to let nature take its course. I did specify that I was to receive hydration because dying of thirst is about the worst death imaginable. Death by starvation while unconscious is probably not nearly so bad as thirst.
This is a sad situation and this brave Marine obviously has a loving wife. I wish him a peaceful passing.
Ten bucks insures that you, too, can be starved to death in Wisconsin. *Rolleyes*
http://www.willsforamerica.com/WI/living_wills.htm
What a sad, horrible tragedy. Prayers for the family.
It sounds like she intends to off him, unless he can come right out say he doesn't want to die. She acknowledges he moves and responds to his environment, but she's seriously considering killing him anyway.
I don't believe that anyone, regardless of their medical condition, should be starved and dehydrated to death. A natural death, I understand. But forcing someone's death by forbidding them food and water...that's monstrous. (BykrBayb, I know you agree with that, I'm just adding my responses after your last post, not posting to you directly. Although I will WAVE!!).
My Husband served in Iraq with SSGT Simon, and as a Marine Wife, I have to agree with Regina Simon's intentions. If there is a living will that states what Chad wanted, it should be carried out. No one else has any right to look down on that decision. It CANNOT be easy for Regina to be going through this. I can't even imagine having to make that decision and how she must be feeling right now. Chad Simon served with honor in Iraq and is now being deprived of his right to a peaceful death b/c outsiders who have no idea of the facts are butting in and saying that it's not ok. As for the friend, he sounds selfish, no one wants to see their friend die, but trying to keep him alive when Chad explicitly said (in his living will) that it's not what he wants. Think of Chad Simon and the wishes of this hero and let him die with the honor he deserves.
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