A Sober Question

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Myrridias

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I am disabled, and have a disability hearing soon. This coupled with the euthanasia movement, the talk about restoring death panels and such got me thinking. If one is faced with involuntary euthanasia, how much should you “fight back.” so to speak, should the time come?
 
I think we all need to have end of life wills that make it clear that we are not to be “bumped off” if we are unable to care for ourselves, but must be left to die a natural death (with the provision that pain relief is to be used even if it proves unintentionally fatal). Life support, such as feeding and hydrating, is to be continued until natural death. IOW, I’d get a lawyer versed in such issues to help me make out such a will, and make it known to family/friends what my wishes are so no one can come along later and contradict what I put in my will. It’s a sad state of affairs when disabled and elderly people have to defend their right to live, but that’s what it’s coming to if we don’t take action, and take it now by voting out those who support killing off the helpless and voting in those who support life at all its stages.
 
Agree with Della. Make sure you put in place a living will while it’s indisputable that you are rational and capable of making the decision yourself. I was appalled to read recently of a Catholic nun who was euthanized in Europe and the legal basis was that because she was Catholic she didn’t have the capacity to make a rational decision (since Catholics don’t believe in suicide). I would take every step to ensure that your wishes would be respected.
 
Della said:
I think we all need to have end of life wills that make it clear that we are not to be “bumped off” if we are unable to care for ourselves, but must be left to die a natural death (with the provision that pain relief is to be used even if it proves unintentionally fatal). Life support, such as feeding and hydrating, is to be continued until natural death. IOW, I’d get a lawyer versed in such issues to help me make out such a will, and make it known to family/friends what my wishes are so no one can come along later and contradict what I put in my will. It’s a sad state of affairs when disabled and elderly people have to defend their right to live, but that’s what it’s coming to if we don’t take action, and take it now by voting out those who support killing off the helpless and voting in those who support life at all its stages.
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Well stated.
 
If a document *can *be misunderstood by a medical person, it might well be. Some assume a Living Will means X, not considering the particular details of the one they are looking at, etc. And it can be difficult when there is an emergency going on to sort through the legalese.

Best is to have someone who has medical power of attorney, someone you trust, someone who knows what you think, and someone with the nerve to stand up against the doctors if/when necessary.

Talk to a lawyer to get the best information–is there such a thing as a pro-life lawyer? That would be nice… but there are lawyers who specialize in issues affecting the elderly. It may turn out that a combination of document and person is best, I don’t know.
 
Myrridias said:
I am disabled, and have a disability hearing soon. This coupled with the euthanasia movement, the talk about restoring death panels and such got me thinking. If one is faced with involuntary euthanasia, how much should you “fight back.” so to speak, should the time come?
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I pray that we have a long long time before having to worry about involuntary euthanasia in the USA. "Death panels " are another matter. As a dialysis patient I would be one of the first to go when I reach an age specified by the government. In that situation there will be no fighting back.
 
St_Francis said:
If a document *can *be misunderstood by a medical person, it might well be. Some assume a Living Will means X, not considering the particular details of the one they are looking at, etc. And it can be difficult when there is an emergency going on to sort through the legalese.

**Best is to have someone who has medical power of attorney, someone you trust, someone who knows what you think, and someone with the nerve to stand up against the doctors if/when necessary.
**

Talk to a lawyer to get the best information–is there such a thing as a pro-life lawyer? That would be nice… but there are lawyers who specialize in issues affecting the elderly. It may turn out that a combination of document and person is best, I don’t know.
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+1 on that which is bolded.

Really, living wills and POLST/MOLST forms are subject to the physician wishes. Have an advocate on your side who will stand firm.

Good Luck.
 
I had heard about the POLST on EWTN radio’s Open Line show with Barbara McGuigan. I thought she was promoting it, but hope not (tuned in late).

WI bishops have written a warning against it:
Pro-Life Wisconsin commends Wisconsin Catholic Bishops for warning against use of Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST)

See more detail on end-of-life and other medical issues at:
Questions and Answers on Critical Medical Decisions

or your state pro-life organization. They usually have brochures to give on these issues as well.

Everyone needs to have an advocate to ensure morality and justice for the enfeebled patient is followed.

Mimi
 
Myrridias said:
I am disabled, and have a disability hearing soon. This coupled with the euthanasia movement, the talk about restoring death panels and such got me thinking. If one is faced with involuntary euthanasia, how much should you “fight back.” so to speak, should the time come?
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By involuntary euthanasia do you mean something like a law making it legal for somebody like a hospital to kill you against your will?
 
AKDee said:
. I was appalled to read recently of a Catholic nun who was euthanized in Europe and the legal basis was that because she was Catholic she didn’t have the capacity to make a rational decision (since Catholics don’t believe in suicide). .
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WHAT??? That is terrible :mad:

Why didn’t the nuns in her convent intercede and stop that happening to her?
 
PLEASE SHARE!

Wisconsin Catholic Bishops for warning against use of Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST)
prolifewisconsin.org/proLifeIssues.asp?article=Wisconsin+Catholic+Bishops+warn+against+POLST&aid=445&id=8#topNews
July, 2012
Madison, WI – Yesterday the Wisconsin Catholic Bishops released a pastoral statement on Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST). Entitled “Upholding the Dignity of Human Life,” the statement warns against the use of POLST forms in medical decision making. A POLST form does not require a patient’s signature and, according to the bishops, “bears the real risk that an indication may be made on it to withhold a treatment that, in particular circumstances, might be an act of euthanasia.”
 
One should use the legal system to fight for their right to life.
 
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