1. there is any question whatsoever of the persons actual wishes, AND
2. if a blood relative (parent, grandparent, child or sibling) disputes the withdraw
If a person spelled out their wishes in a living will (to either be kept on life-support or not) and are not able express if their wishes have changed after being put on life-support then their directives in the living will should be followed. I would think that anyone who took the time to make a living will would also have discussed it with their family.
I've never been married but since people divorce or break their marital vows I don't put much faith in a spouse as a default decision maker. That's why it is important to have a living will and durable power of attorney for medical decisions to someone you trust Those 2 legal documents should ensure a persons wishes are cared out, even unmarried partners, same-sexed or not.
At 12:16 PM 3/31/2005, Kate Hubin wrote:
I have a question for those who don't believe Terri's feeding tube should have been legally allowed to be removed - do you think that no one in a persistent vegetative state should be withdrawn from life-support, no matter what? What if they spelled out their wishes in a living will? (as some people have said, there's still the danger that their wishes would have changed after the injury) What if their entire family agrees and there is no legal battle? This happens every day. I just read that there are 4,000 deaths a day that involve a family decision to limit treatment. 99.9% of them don't involve any kind of dispute whatsoever. Is this case just different for people because the outcome went against her parents wishes, and people feel that they should have been rightfully considered her guardians at this point?From: Kate Hubin [ mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Under what circumstances do people who were opposed in this case think it's OK to withdraw life support from someone in a PVS, if any?
Just curious
Sent: Thursday, March 31, 2005 11:58 AM
To: Lori Michaelson; Quad
Subject: [QUAD-L] Interesting Schiavo Opinion Piece from Miami Herald
Posted on Thu, Mar. 31, 2005
