When I first read the story my first reaction was well at least they gave him the chance to decide for himself. After all, if he had a living will and said he did not want to be put on life support and they did then that would have been against his predetermined wishes. Didn't his sister the nurse said that he had said that to her? I guess he didn't have anything in writing.
After reading the comments people posted here about being on medication and not being able to make a clear decision I had not thought of that. I thought back to when I was first in the hospital paralyzed. I was in so much pain (nerve pain) that I just wanted to die so the pain would end. The morphine and the "pain cocktail" helped. I never thought or what I would or would not be able to do not being able to move. I don't remember ever thinking of turning the ventilator off. On Wed, Nov 13, 2013 at 12:00 PM, Don Price <[email protected]> wrote: > Just read a letter Paul Tobin, President of United Spinal Association (and > quad) wrote regarding this very issue. Here is part of it: > "What a life I would have missed if I had been asked to end it all at the > wrong time. > I hope that I am not minimizing the pain and suffering that the Bowers > family feels, or adding to their grief. That is truly not my intention. > I do however question a medical community that looked upon, and reinforced > the notion that Mr. Bowers was broken and unrepairable. With today’s > technologies and advances, Mr. Bowers may have been able to breathe without > the need for a ventilator and be independent once again. The truth is that > we’ll never know because a grieving family and medical team asked a > frightened man to make a decision when he was at his most vulnerable state, > without the benefit of time and counseling that would be provided to almost > any other patient. > We counsel suicidal people and people with life-threatening illnesses. We > fight for the rights of unborn children. We’ll rally to the call for an > animal that needs surgery. But if you’re paralyzed and won’t be able to > walk or breathe on your own, watch out. At the most vulnerable time in your > life, your doctor may ask you if he or she can throw the switch." > Paul J. Tobin > President & CEO > United Spinal Association > > > http://www.spinalcord.org/giving-my-uninformed-consent-to-die/?utm_source=UnitedNewsletterList&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter+2013+11 > > > On Tuesday, November 12, 2013 3:16 PM, Gmail <[email protected]> > wrote: > I've been thinking about the guy in the Deer Hunter story. I remember > very well when I was in intensive care and my doctor came in with a young > 18 Year old boy (I was 17) who was going to be going to school for physical > therapy. I distinctly really remember my doctor saying " ... Ken I'd like > you to meet Bobbie, she just came in the other day. Isn't she pretty? I'd > like you to stretch her heel cords each day." Now what if this doctor > decided my life was not worth living and did not give me any life-support? > Instead he make me feel good about myself, Ken and I ended up dating for > one year. He was the best medicine I ever had. > Bobbie > > > > Smile Everyday > > On Nov 12, 2013, at 3:48 PM, RONALD L PRACHT <[email protected]> > wrote: > > It makes most of us angry.............because with the right drugs, docs > and set of cicumstances it could have been any of us. Similar to an > aborted child. this man never had a chance. > > Ron > > *From:* Don Price <[email protected]> > *To:* "[email protected]" <[email protected]> > *Sent:* Tuesday, November 12, 2013 12:44 PM > *Subject:* [QUAD-L] That Deer Hunter Story > > I didn't reply to the earlier thread about the injured deer hunter who > "chose" to have his breathing tube removed; in fact, I was so upset I > deleted the whole discussion. > > After thinking about it for a while I am still extremely emotional, going > between empathy and rage. I felt I had to reply, if only for my own relief > through venting. > > While we don't know every detail of the story, I still feel STRONGLY that > allowing this man to make this decision while medically impaired is the > equivalent of giving a handgun to someone who is suicidal. "So, your life > sucks right now and you want to end it? Well, it IS your decision, after > all. Here's a revolver. Be sure to aim upward, and here are some > hollow-point bullets to help you succeed. Thanks for easing the 'burden' on > your family and our healthcare system." This is insane! No one would > condone a healthcare provider sanctioning such an action, but they are ok > with this?! > > Like so many of you on this list, I contemplated whether I wanted to live > after becoming a quadriplegic. Had somebody asked me to make life decisions > at that moment, I doubt I'd be here today. While we know life with > quadriplegia is difficult, it can also be wonderful. I've had so many > blessings and amazing times that I am thankful for every day I'm here. I > want to live a lot longer. > > My real anger is reserved for the medical staff that allowed this hasty > decision to be made under clear duress, and for his family members who > viewed him as damaged beyond saving. I know I can't question their > motives--surely they thought the were doing good by him--but medical > professionals, including the nurse-sister, should have had better > judgement. If there were ANY narcotics or mind-altering medications in his > system how could his thought process be considered lucid? The news account > states he wasn't even able to speak! > > In the end this perpetuates society's view that people with disabilities > are "damaged goods"-- disposable commodities. How many times have we heard > "I'd rather be dead than in a wheelchair"? While his accident was horrible, > snuffing his life was the real tragedy here. What a shame. > > Don. > > > http://www.recorder.com/news/nation/world/9197116-95/paralyzed-deer-hunter-chooses-to-end-life-support > > > > >
