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From: Ann.Stalnaker@f14.n385.z1.fidonet.org (Ann Stalnaker)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: euthanasia
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Date: 16 Mar 90 05:16:04 GMT
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Index Number: 7185

Pat, I think perhaps I didn't really express my feelings on the issue 
of Euthanasia the way I wanted to and I hope I didn't offend you by 
some of my comments.  I'm very opinionated and often run across others 
who can't understand my liberal viewpoints.  They often accuse me of 
being immoral or stated I must have been in a situational circumstance
to have these strong opinions.  Neither is true.  I look at the overall 
picture of things and have been exposed to several situations.  (Nothing 
in my personal life)
 
I was not speaking of the Disabled alone in my statement about Euthanasia, 
I was also referring to those with AIDS, cancer, and the like.  This 
is a very sensitive topic as well as controversial but I do feel one 
has the right to make the decision on this topic.  If I'm ever in a 
position where I can't function without life support systems, I do 
NOT want to be kept alive.  In other words, I mean if my brain is dead.
I cannot see spending thousands and thousands of dollars in hospital 
costs/nursing home fees in a coma and knowing I would never come out 
of that coma.  I would want the plug to be pulled.  But, as I've mentioned 
before, it all depends on the circumstances.  If I'm 70 years old and 
have been diagnosed with inoperable cancer, I would opt for Euthanasia 
rather than allow my family to suffer the pain, grief and expense of 
caring for me for a long length of time.  At that age, I can accept 
that I've lived a full life.  We all are going to die sometime.
 
Of course, there is always hope but there is also a limit.  I am not
really saying I would opt for abortion but I do believe a woman should 
have the choice of one if she should wish.  I can remember the days 
of coat-hanger abortions and if we make abortion illegal, we'll go 
right back to those days.  Each and every situation is different.  
 
I know the facts of having a living will.  In fact, you'd be surprised 
at the number of people who do have one.  I'm not a youngun, Pat, in 
fact, am in my mid-40s.  I feel I'm being realistic about thinking 
of the future.
 
I also have a close friend whose son has been in a coma for over 20 
years now.  There has never been any change.  This friend and her family 
spent every dime they had in medical costs and have had to sell their 
home and move into a smaller home.  The state has taken over the medical 
costs now and all life support systems have been removed.  It's been 
a very traumatic 20 years for this friend of mine and I doubt if she'll 
ever get over it.  So...like I've mentioned, each case is different 
(Boy, I'm beginning to sound repetitious!)
 

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