Hildy, I know you didn't direct this towards me, but I can be quite honest with you. If I were ever to be in Terri's place, I would hope like hell that I had a family as loving as her parents and siblings were, who would fight for my right to live whatever the cost, and continue to be fed via a tube for whatever length of time. I mean that. I would also like to be afforded to be given rehab, particularly if money had been set aside specifically for that purpose. I would want to be treated like a human being, and be allowed to go outside, and not be kept shut in one room for five years. I would love to have animals come to visit me, and I would love to hear music and be spoken to kindly. Yes, I would want to live, and I hope that if I am ever in a situation like Terri's that no one would find me disposable or unworthy of continuing to live my life the way that I would be, brain-damaged, partially blind, unable to speak well, needing lots and lots of care, but especailly loved and cherished by family and friends. Just like right now, whatever my different abilities are from anyone elses, I would want to live and be loved.
Then, in my opinion...and this is my opnion alone...you are one of the most selfish people I have ever come across. 99.9% of people would say they wouldn't want to be kept alive, and you know why? Because of the toll it takes on OTHER people...on the people you love...the effect it has on the people you love. That's why I think it's selfish.
Absolutely BEAUTIFUL post!!!!