It's Not About Terri Schiavo
SC&A are gratified by the quality of the comments left on the Sunday Not So Funnies post. We would urge you to scroll down and read those comments- you will be better for having done so.
There is a debate in this country, about euthanasia. That debate has been going on for a long time and certain realities have been accomodated. Essentially, euthanesia can be broken down into two forms- active euthanesia and passive euthanesia. Active euthanesia is accomplished when a direct act will result in death, a la Dr. Kevorkian. Passive euthanesia occurs when the lack of care will result in the patients passing. An example of this is when a certain machine, used for sustaining life is removed for scheduled calibration or maintenance, it is not replaced in the interim by another.
Many will argue that is splitting hairs, but in fact, medical and ethical personnel have found that division to be helpful. Irrespective of whatever kneejerk reactions you may have, that is a reality. Inasmuch as you are not a medical or ethical expert, do not opine- just keep reading and become better informed (Before you get indignant, see this- and remember who this is all about).
There is a truth here that has been left unspoken. There are times that death is a relief. There are times when religious people may say with all sincerity, that death, as ordained, is indeed a blessing.
Dingo and Aldon Hynes in the comments section of the post below this one, each, with great humility, comment on Terri Schiavo (Aldon has posted on the matter). What makes their remarks so relevant is that they have been there, themselves, with loved ones. They each acknowledge the reality of the impossibility of the situation- and even more remarkably- they both shy away from the rhetoric that comes so easily. These Gentleman- and make no mistake, they are just that- bear the scars and battle wounds of watching a loved one pass,- watching- when our instincts are to do something, anything.
Birth and death are two of the most sacred or profound of times virtually all of us will experiecence. Attending and watching a birth is witnessing creation of sorts- all is possible, the future can be written any way chosen.
In the matter of death, we come to acknowledge and make peace with a life is measured, in great part, by the would haves, should haves and could haves. It is natural to want to hold on to life, so as to correct some of those things. It is also natural that those around us see us in the right perspective, allowing us our imperfections and humaness- and despite all that, loving us.
In those most private and sacred of times and situations, SC&A cannot fathom what that means. We can draw a single conclusion- that a decision to allow a loved one to pass, putting aside our natural instinct to intervene, was made and every conceivable impact considered. We believe that the process alone inspires the humility and dignity we speak of.
Arguments for and against intervening in the Terri Schiavo matter are being made and will continue to be made.
If Terri Schiavo had made her wishes known, whatever they were, none of this would matter. If Michael Schiavo had at the very least made an attempt at any kind of rehabilitative therapy for Terri as he promised, there would be none of the suspicians that he can't shake.
When respected and well known physicians says that Terri Schiavo is not in a vegetative state, as defined by Florida Law, are we at the very least not obligated to open another venue of assessment- a medical one, in addition to the courts?
That Terri Schiavo's wishes are not known, is irrelevant.
There is no way any attempt being made to invade the privacy between physician and patient on DNR (Do Not Resucitate) orders. As mentioned earlier, we all understand that at times, death is welcomed. We all understand that families are best equipped to deal with these matters. We also understand the need for clarity and direction. Quality of life means different things to different people. If those directives aren't clear, we open a Pandora's Box.
Who shall be left to decide quality of life issues? When we discuss quality of life, do we take into account the possibility that the caregivers 'rights' may be considered? That isn't as far fetched as you might think. Some opponents to intervening on behalf of Terri's parents say that the matter is a states rights issue. Will the representatives of a states constituants determine what is and what isn't 'quality of life'? Shall we soon pull the plug on some Alzheimer's patients because children want to hurry up an inheritance? There are a thousand issues that can be discussed today- and a thousand more that we haven't thought of.
This stopped being about Terri Schiavo the day Michael Schiavo went to court for the first time.
On that day, it became about us and how we define ourselves.
There is a debate in this country, about euthanasia. That debate has been going on for a long time and certain realities have been accomodated. Essentially, euthanesia can be broken down into two forms- active euthanesia and passive euthanesia. Active euthanesia is accomplished when a direct act will result in death, a la Dr. Kevorkian. Passive euthanesia occurs when the lack of care will result in the patients passing. An example of this is when a certain machine, used for sustaining life is removed for scheduled calibration or maintenance, it is not replaced in the interim by another.
Many will argue that is splitting hairs, but in fact, medical and ethical personnel have found that division to be helpful. Irrespective of whatever kneejerk reactions you may have, that is a reality. Inasmuch as you are not a medical or ethical expert, do not opine- just keep reading and become better informed (Before you get indignant, see this- and remember who this is all about).
There is a truth here that has been left unspoken. There are times that death is a relief. There are times when religious people may say with all sincerity, that death, as ordained, is indeed a blessing.
Dingo and Aldon Hynes in the comments section of the post below this one, each, with great humility, comment on Terri Schiavo (Aldon has posted on the matter). What makes their remarks so relevant is that they have been there, themselves, with loved ones. They each acknowledge the reality of the impossibility of the situation- and even more remarkably- they both shy away from the rhetoric that comes so easily. These Gentleman- and make no mistake, they are just that- bear the scars and battle wounds of watching a loved one pass,- watching- when our instincts are to do something, anything.
Birth and death are two of the most sacred or profound of times virtually all of us will experiecence. Attending and watching a birth is witnessing creation of sorts- all is possible, the future can be written any way chosen.
In the matter of death, we come to acknowledge and make peace with a life is measured, in great part, by the would haves, should haves and could haves. It is natural to want to hold on to life, so as to correct some of those things. It is also natural that those around us see us in the right perspective, allowing us our imperfections and humaness- and despite all that, loving us.
In those most private and sacred of times and situations, SC&A cannot fathom what that means. We can draw a single conclusion- that a decision to allow a loved one to pass, putting aside our natural instinct to intervene, was made and every conceivable impact considered. We believe that the process alone inspires the humility and dignity we speak of.
Arguments for and against intervening in the Terri Schiavo matter are being made and will continue to be made.
If Terri Schiavo had made her wishes known, whatever they were, none of this would matter. If Michael Schiavo had at the very least made an attempt at any kind of rehabilitative therapy for Terri as he promised, there would be none of the suspicians that he can't shake.
When respected and well known physicians says that Terri Schiavo is not in a vegetative state, as defined by Florida Law, are we at the very least not obligated to open another venue of assessment- a medical one, in addition to the courts?
That Terri Schiavo's wishes are not known, is irrelevant.
There is no way any attempt being made to invade the privacy between physician and patient on DNR (Do Not Resucitate) orders. As mentioned earlier, we all understand that at times, death is welcomed. We all understand that families are best equipped to deal with these matters. We also understand the need for clarity and direction. Quality of life means different things to different people. If those directives aren't clear, we open a Pandora's Box.
Who shall be left to decide quality of life issues? When we discuss quality of life, do we take into account the possibility that the caregivers 'rights' may be considered? That isn't as far fetched as you might think. Some opponents to intervening on behalf of Terri's parents say that the matter is a states rights issue. Will the representatives of a states constituants determine what is and what isn't 'quality of life'? Shall we soon pull the plug on some Alzheimer's patients because children want to hurry up an inheritance? There are a thousand issues that can be discussed today- and a thousand more that we haven't thought of.
This stopped being about Terri Schiavo the day Michael Schiavo went to court for the first time.
On that day, it became about us and how we define ourselves.
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