Paralyzed man decides to die

1. 0

   Sooner28posted 10 years ago

   http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/06/us/paraly … hunter830a
   
   What do you think about this?

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   1. 88

      GA Andersonposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      From my safe and healthy perspective I do not agree with his choice - also I would think a little more time before making the decision would have helped validate his choice.
      
      But I do think the choice was his to make!
      
      GA

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      1. 95

         wildernessposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         I would agree that he needed more time, but...was his hospitalization sucking his wife and mom-to-be of his son dry?  Would they lose their home, retirement, etc.?  That could have played a part in the quick decision.
         
         Whatever the reasons, though, it was his to make.

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   2. 89

      IslandBitesposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      His life, his choice. It is the same as if he had a living will. What is sad is that so many can not answer the question, being forced to live and suffer.
      By the way, it reminded me of a great movie, Mar Adentro; the real-life story of Ramon Sampedro.

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   3. 78

      Say Yes To Lifeposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Since it was his life to live, he had every right to make that choice.  I have worked with elderly and handicapped people for over 20 years.  Some of them have lived nearly 20 years after paralyzing accidents.  One quadriplegic who had crashed his motorcycle in the late 1970s told me it would have been easier on his family if he had died in the accident. Not only did the accident cripple him, he contracted Hepatitis C from the necessary blood transfusion.
      Modern technology has extended life.  Along with that comes the responsibility of choosing when to end it.

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   4. 59

      fpherj48posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      What I think about this...is that it's a deeply moving story that has made me very saddened for all those closely involved.  I can state with certainty, I never want to be the person left with this decision to make for someone else.  I know in this case that the man himself made his firm and truthful wishes known...and that his family members honored, respected and accepted them.  What a heart-wrenching situation. although I can understand the ultimate end.
      I've tried to think of what I would choose, were I to be in the same condition.  The reality is, I couldn't be 100% sure.   I do know that my husband felt identical to the man in this story, because we often had talks about this very thing.  Because I knew my hubby so very well, I completely understood his feelings and would have to agree that his choice would be the best for him.
      This will never be an issue however, since my sweet husband died in less than 30 seconds, due to a fatal heart attack, while kicked back in his lounge chair, watching a football game.   In the past 8 months, I can tell you I have lost count, for how many people have commented that they just HOPE that is how they will make their exit.  I understand that mindset.

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2. 61

   tirelesstravelerposted 10 years ago

   This article told me, this man broke his spine high up in the cervical vertebra and his couldn't breath on his own. He would have been a quadriplegic.
   Joni Erickson Tada is a quadriplegic who had a diving accident 45 years ago.  She has had a spectacular life, but it hasn't been easy. She has had many near death experiences.

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