We are kinder to our pets then we are to our fellow human beings. As a society we tend to treat death as a failure something that should always be overcome no matter what the cost emotionally and/or physically. The reality is that often times death can be a gift. Most people say they believe that there is a God and believe that there is “something” that happens to our “spirit” or “soul” after we die and yet many of us are afraid of death. As a society we do not talk about death or dying. We tend to fight death our own and the deaths of those we love and we fight every step of the way.
Pounding on the chest of an eighty-seven year old man who has been in and out of the hospital for the past three years and just had his latest heart attack. Sticking breathing tubes down the throat of a baby who has no brain activity due to being shaken. Putting in a feeding tube for a woman who was in a car accident and has been in a coma for eighteen months. Injecting poison into the veins of a woman who has metastasized cancer that has spread to all of her organs and has a six month prognosis. For those who argue that Euthanasia is cruel and unusual that it lacks compassion I say YOU ARE WRONG. Allowing someone to die peacefully surrounded by loved ones on their own terms this is true compassion true love. Letting someone go is much harder then grasping them to you and making them stay when their mind, body and spirit is exhausted.
The only way this debate is going to be settled is if we as a society really talk about death. What does it mean individually? What does it mean for a family? What does it mean for the community? We need to stop looking at death as a failure and start accepting the reality that all of us, each and everyone, is going to die.
Those who argue that it is up to God to decide when we die are often the ones who want extraordinary measures taken to keep a body alive. You cannot have extraordinary measures and God’s timing. God’s timing would be the first heart attack. The stopping of breathe when the brain ceases to work. Keeping one alive when the essence of the body is gone is in my opinion selfish and fear based.
I know that I do not want to “live” if I do not remember my name, the faces of those that I love. I do not want to “live” if dementia has taken over my mind and all I can feel is fear. I do not want to live if my mind works and my body has forsaken me. Maybe some do want to live under these circumstances and if someone does then I believe that all measures should be taken. However if someone does NOT then NO ONE should have the ability to step in and make an alternative decision.
If one feels stongly about this issue one should ensure he or she has a living will and an advanced medical directive. Talk to your spouse/partner/friend about your wishes. Make sure you doctor knows you and has your directions in your medical file. Protect yourself whatever side of the debate you support.
This is a sanctity of life argument and the reality is that quality should always be at least a part of sanctity.
