Although I can't fully disagree with terminally ill people choosing to check out early , I am not advocating for Euthanasia or Physician Assisted Suicide. The purpose of this blog entry and similar entries is to encourage discussion between family members and physicians.
Euthanasia is possibly the most controversial subject being discussed all around the world. The meaning of the word Euthanasia means good death.
Euthanasia refers to the practice of intentionally ending a life in order to relieve pain and suffering. There is three types of Euthanasia- Voluntary, Involuntary and Non-Voluntary.
Involuntary Euthanasia can be considered murder because It's done against a patient's will. The patient chooses not to die.
Non-Voluntary Euthanasia sometimes known as mercy killing) is euthanasia conducted where the explicit consent of the individual concerned is unavailable, such as when the person is in a persistent vegetative state. It contrasts with involuntary euthanasia, where euthanasia is performed against the will of the patient . Active Non-Voluntary Euthanasia is illegal everywhere in the world except the Netherlands. In the Netherlands, Infants born with abnormalities can be euthanized upon the agreement of the District Attorney, Parents and Physicians. It's disturbing.
Passive Non-Voluntary Euthanasia is legal in some places in the world. It can be the with holding of nutrition, fluids and medications.
Voluntary Euthanasia or Assisted Dying is available in a few places.- Dignitas (Zurich, Switzerland) is the only organization to assist foreigners.
-The interesting thing about Dignitas is once someone sends their medical records and gets the "green light" to proceed 70% of the people won't contact Dignitas again. Once they know they have a way out if things get too bad might give them peace.
-60% of people seeking self termination from Dignitas are German.
- The thing I don't like about Dignitas is they allow people with Severe Mental Illness to end their life. How is the person giving informed consent? If a person is suffering from a devastating terminal illness is one thing but allowing a mentally ill person to end their life is another.
My Mom suffered from Depression and Mental Illness . Although she had a stroke (CVA) and died when I was 12, my Mom never tried to harm herself. She got help whenever she couldn't handle things or for the Depression. We all suffer from Depression at some point in our lives. Some people's depression might last for years when other's depression is short. It's troubling that Dignitas would assist a mentally ill person to end their life or because they're weary about the future.
The process begins by joining Dignitas and paying membership fees. Sending medical records is the next step. Once Dignitas gets records and diagnosis is confirmed, the person seeking help gets the green light to travel to Zurich for 2 seperate evaluations, 2 days apart. After the evaluations the prescription for Nembutal (barbiturates) is written and the person can go forward. The person signs legal documents and is recorded on camera confirming their intentions to end their lives.
The person is also recorded on camera taking the barbiturates to verify they done so willingly. How can someone with mental illness give consent?
It's more troubling that Dignitas profits from these deaths. But until it's available in more places organizations like Dignitas will exist.
One of the biggest fear of legalization of Euthanasia is that involuntary and non-voluntary Euthanasia will be used to terminate the lives of the disabled or elderly without their consent.Could this be The Slippery Slope, everyone fears?
Would Children and Physicians agree to Euthanize a parent for inheritance?
Would HMO (Health Maintenance Organizations), National Health Plans or Insurance Companies refuse to pay for further treatment but suggest Euthanasia? It's happened before and most likely would happen again.
The thing about legalizing Voluntary Euthanasia is the actual wording in the law to eliminate loopholes. The law must be carefully worded and a protocol followed when seeking help for assistance in dying. Any loophole would be exploited.
I am American and live in a conservative state in the Bible Belt. Physician Assisted Suicide is available in a couple states but most likely will never be available in my own state. Which is fine with me. I could never harm myself or allow anyone to intentionally end my life.
To protect my final wishes and take the burden off of my family if I ever receive a devastating diagnosis , I would set up a Living Will . A Living Will or Advanced Directive is a legal document that states what procedures I want and what I don't want. I would also appoint a Medical Power Of Attorney to speak for me when I'm unable to do so and let them know my wishes.
Even though a Living Will is a legal document it can be changed at anytime but only by me.
There's many things we can do to legally shorten our lives without requesting Euthanasia if we are faced with a terminal illness.
We can refuse treatments , medicine or procedures . We can refuse nutrition and hydration, no feeding tubes or IV. We can refuse artificial ventilation, no vent or trach. We can be DNR, no Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation. This information is often included in a living will.
In some situations , depending on the diagnosis voluntary euthanasia is understandable and should be allowed if everything else fails. And there is no hope. But a terminally ill person should not have to travel halfway around the world for relief.
Although I can't fully disagree with terminally ill people choosing to check out early , I am not advocating for Euthanasia or Physician Assisted Suicide. The purpose of this blog entry and similar entries is to encourage discussion between family members and physicians.
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