Comments on: Two Sides of the First Assisted Suicide http://pugetsoundblogs.com/kitsap-caucus/2009/05/27/two-sides-of-the-first-assisted-suicide/ A blog about politics and government in Kitsap County as well as Washington state political news as it relates to Kitsap County. Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:53:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Physician-assisted-suicides in WA, OR, and MT « What Sorts of People http://pugetsoundblogs.com/kitsap-caucus/2009/05/27/two-sides-of-the-first-assisted-suicide/comment-page-1/#comment-17172 Physician-assisted-suicides in WA, OR, and MT « What Sorts of People Mon, 06 Jul 2009 04:19:55 +0000 http://pugetsoundblogs.com/kitsap-caucus/?p=2233#comment-17172 [...] http://pugetsoundblogs.com/kitsap-caucus/2009/05/27/two-sides-of-the-first-assisted-suicide/ [...] [...] http://pugetsoundblogs.com/kitsap-caucus/2009/05/27/two-sides-of-the-first-assisted-suicide/ [...]

]]> By: Registered Voter http://pugetsoundblogs.com/kitsap-caucus/2009/05/27/two-sides-of-the-first-assisted-suicide/comment-page-1/#comment-14795 Registered Voter Sat, 06 Jun 2009 01:30:21 +0000 http://pugetsoundblogs.com/kitsap-caucus/?p=2233#comment-14795 My religious beliefs aren't relevant, but suffice to say many wonderful, highly evolved people in the world don't believe in god and still receive messages/guidance in the heartspace. <i>I’m trying very hard to avoid judgment because I know that perspective sometimes changes when one is, by circumstance, faced with a situation that seems so clear-cut from afar, but is so much more complicated when you are in the midst it.</i> Indeed; well said...and my only point in this thread. My religious beliefs aren’t relevant, but suffice to say many wonderful, highly evolved people in the world don’t believe in god and still receive messages/guidance in the heartspace.

I’m trying very hard to avoid judgment because I know that perspective sometimes changes when one is, by circumstance, faced with a situation that seems so clear-cut from afar, but is so much more complicated when you are in the midst it.

Indeed; well said…and my only point in this thread.

]]> By: Kathryn Simpson http://pugetsoundblogs.com/kitsap-caucus/2009/05/27/two-sides-of-the-first-assisted-suicide/comment-page-1/#comment-14582 Kathryn Simpson Wed, 03 Jun 2009 02:07:45 +0000 http://pugetsoundblogs.com/kitsap-caucus/?p=2233#comment-14582 Such a situation would be amongst my worst nightmares. Yet, who would or could say "no" to being there with a loved one or close friend who asked you to be there? Frankly, I'd have a very difficult time saying "no" to a stranger who made that request, let alone a loved one. I'm trying very hard to avoid judgment because I know that perspective sometimes changes when one is, by circumstance, faced with a situation that seems so clear-cut from afar, but is so much more complicated when you are in the midst it. Thus, my post tonight isn't to provide some great wisdom on the issue. It is simply an observation that judging anyone either way on this issue is no one's role but God's. My pregnancy with my first child was complicated and required medical attention from the get go. At six weeks gestation, we had our first ultrasound and at that moment... in that moment... I fell in love with her. Until that moment, I had a position on abortion. But from that moment forward, it was as if God spoke directly to my heart and settled any question of what was right and wrong for me on the abortion issue. I pray that God grants me the grace to never have to face a "death with dignity" situation with my family. And yet, should that ever happen, all I can hope for is that God speaks to my heart to know what to do, just as He spoke to my heart the day I first laid eyes on that little embryo... who is going to be a senior in high school in 4 days.... There are many things in this world that I take a strong position about. But there are some things that we will only understand when God, in our moment of need, speaks to our heart and settles the question. Regards, Kathryn Simpson Such a situation would be amongst my worst nightmares. Yet, who would or could say “no” to being there with a loved one or close friend who asked you to be there? Frankly, I’d have a very difficult time saying “no” to a stranger who made that request, let alone a loved one.

I’m trying very hard to avoid judgment because I know that perspective sometimes changes when one is, by circumstance, faced with a situation that seems so clear-cut from afar, but is so much more complicated when you are in the midst it.

Thus, my post tonight isn’t to provide some great wisdom on the issue. It is simply an observation that judging anyone either way on this issue is no one’s role but God’s.

My pregnancy with my first child was complicated and required medical attention from the get go. At six weeks gestation, we had our first ultrasound and at that moment… in that moment… I fell in love with her. Until that moment, I had a position on abortion. But from that moment forward, it was as if God spoke directly to my heart and settled any question of what was right and wrong for me on the abortion issue.

I pray that God grants me the grace to never have to face a “death with dignity” situation with my family. And yet, should that ever happen, all I can hope for is that God speaks to my heart to know what to do, just as He spoke to my heart the day I first laid eyes on that little embryo… who is going to be a senior in high school in 4 days….

There are many things in this world that I take a strong position about. But there are some things that we will only understand when God, in our moment of need, speaks to our heart and settles the question.

Regards,
Kathryn Simpson

]]> By: Registered Voter http://pugetsoundblogs.com/kitsap-caucus/2009/05/27/two-sides-of-the-first-assisted-suicide/comment-page-1/#comment-14580 Registered Voter Wed, 03 Jun 2009 00:51:29 +0000 http://pugetsoundblogs.com/kitsap-caucus/?p=2233#comment-14580 This isn't about who can make the decision; it's about who that decision ultimately involves. The former is a question of law; the latter, of life and love. Clearly, one can decide whether or not to attend. But beyond theoreticals, many will opt to do so because they cannot imagine not being present, particularly if asked. In a perfect world the process should be simple, straightforward and absent strife and upset. In reality, it can be more complicated. This isn’t about who can make the decision; it’s about who that decision ultimately involves. The former is a question of law; the latter, of life and love.

Clearly, one can decide whether or not to attend. But beyond theoreticals, many will opt to do so because they cannot imagine not being present, particularly if asked.

In a perfect world the process should be simple, straightforward and absent strife and upset. In reality, it can be more complicated.

]]> By: Sharon O'Hara http://pugetsoundblogs.com/kitsap-caucus/2009/05/27/two-sides-of-the-first-assisted-suicide/comment-page-1/#comment-14566 Sharon O'Hara Tue, 02 Jun 2009 19:01:20 +0000 http://pugetsoundblogs.com/kitsap-caucus/?p=2233#comment-14566 When all the criteria is met, including medical assistance, the decision for Death with Dignity can only be made by the terminal patient. The arrangements include other people...not, I would hope, having the loved ones involved with something they disapprove. Loved ones would be present if the terminal patient wants them there. If the patient wants them there, the loved ones can make their decision to be in attendance or not. The process should be simple and straightforward and leave good feelings and memories behind, not strife and upset to anyone. Sharon O'Hara When all the criteria is met, including medical assistance, the decision for Death with Dignity can only be made by the terminal patient.
The arrangements include other people…not, I would hope, having the loved ones involved with something they disapprove.
Loved ones would be present if the terminal patient wants them there. If the patient wants them there, the loved ones can make their decision to be in attendance or not.
The process should be simple and straightforward and leave good feelings and memories behind, not strife and upset to anyone.
Sharon O’Hara

]]> By: Registered Voter http://pugetsoundblogs.com/kitsap-caucus/2009/05/27/two-sides-of-the-first-assisted-suicide/comment-page-1/#comment-14530 Registered Voter Tue, 02 Jun 2009 02:47:18 +0000 http://pugetsoundblogs.com/kitsap-caucus/?p=2233#comment-14530 If the decision by the terminal person was truly singular, no one else would be involved. In reality, someone is needed to prescribe the drug, and if the person is unable to do so themselves, someone must administer it and monitor the process. Also, loved ones will be present if they want to bid a final farewell. Again, another side of a complex issue which extends well beyond the person making such a choice. If the decision by the terminal person was truly singular, no one else would be involved. In reality, someone is needed to prescribe the drug, and if the person is unable to do so themselves, someone must administer it and monitor the process. Also, loved ones will be present if they want to bid a final farewell. Again, another side of a complex issue which extends well beyond the person making such a choice.

]]> By: Sharon O'Hara http://pugetsoundblogs.com/kitsap-caucus/2009/05/27/two-sides-of-the-first-assisted-suicide/comment-page-1/#comment-14527 Sharon O'Hara Tue, 02 Jun 2009 00:04:05 +0000 http://pugetsoundblogs.com/kitsap-caucus/?p=2233#comment-14527 Why wouldn't the decision by the terminal person, meeting all the requirements for a Death With Dignity choice, be singular? It never occured to me that one's family would be involved personally. The patient makes the choice and the arrangements, why would they drag their family members into it? The choice is not about the family and it isn't and shouldn't be, their choice. I cannot imagine asking assistance from a family member to involve them as co-assistants, that would be cruel. As Mary said, "..what a position to put someone you love into." Why wouldn’t the decision by the terminal person, meeting all the requirements for a Death With Dignity choice, be singular?

It never occured to me that one’s family would be involved personally. The patient makes the choice and the arrangements, why would they drag their family members into it? The choice is not about the family and it isn’t and shouldn’t be, their choice.

I cannot imagine asking assistance from a family member to involve them as co-assistants, that would be cruel.
As Mary said, “..what a position to put someone you love into.”

]]> By: Mary Colborn http://pugetsoundblogs.com/kitsap-caucus/2009/05/27/two-sides-of-the-first-assisted-suicide/comment-page-1/#comment-14511 Mary Colborn Mon, 01 Jun 2009 14:55:42 +0000 http://pugetsoundblogs.com/kitsap-caucus/?p=2233#comment-14511 That's an interesting point, DK, I listened to a NPR This American Life program that dealt with the same sort of situation, in which a young man was asked to aid his mother in carrying out such a wish. She was very much alive, but did not want to have her body nor mind deteriorate. She also wanted to be able to choose her own time of death. Her son described what it was like to have a vibrant mother make such a decision. His job was to make the necessary phone calls, etc. Indeed, what a position to put someone you love into. That’s an interesting point, DK, I listened to a NPR This American Life program that dealt with the same sort of situation, in which a young man was asked to aid his mother in carrying out such a wish. She was very much alive, but did not want to have her body nor mind deteriorate. She also wanted to be able to choose her own time of death.

Her son described what it was like to have a vibrant mother make such a decision. His job was to make the necessary phone calls, etc. Indeed, what a position to put someone you love into.

]]> By: Registered Voter http://pugetsoundblogs.com/kitsap-caucus/2009/05/27/two-sides-of-the-first-assisted-suicide/comment-page-1/#comment-14493 Registered Voter Mon, 01 Jun 2009 05:11:45 +0000 http://pugetsoundblogs.com/kitsap-caucus/?p=2233#comment-14493 I have a very close friend who insisted that DWD was humane and the right thing to do. She and her surviving family were asked to assist when her offspring had had enough suffering from a devastating disease. Her words after having done so? "It is one thing to discuss and debate it, and another to actually face it. Honouring X's request was the most difficult thing I ever had to do in my life. I will never do it again for a loved one and pray I am never asked to participate again. More importantly, I will never subject anyone I love to such a decision where my demise is concerned." One person, one experience. But certainly not a situation where the only opinion which matters is that of the terminal person. I have a very close friend who insisted that DWD was humane and the right thing to do. She and her surviving family were asked to assist when her offspring had had enough suffering from a devastating disease.

Her words after having done so? “It is one thing to discuss and debate it, and another to actually face it. Honouring X’s request was the most difficult thing I ever had to do in my life. I will never do it again for a loved one and pray I am never asked to participate again. More importantly, I will never subject anyone I love to such a decision where my demise is concerned.”

One person, one experience. But certainly not a situation where the only opinion which matters is that of the terminal person.

]]> By: Sharon O'Hara http://pugetsoundblogs.com/kitsap-caucus/2009/05/27/two-sides-of-the-first-assisted-suicide/comment-page-1/#comment-14351 Sharon O'Hara Sat, 30 May 2009 20:42:40 +0000 http://pugetsoundblogs.com/kitsap-caucus/?p=2233#comment-14351 "Do you really want to see more people resorting to suicide in the face of pain? Or would it not be more human to try to alleviate pain as well as possible, rather than kill the person?" You clearly don't know what pain pills do to the respiratory system. What do you suggest if the person in pain happens to also have lung disease? Sharon O'Hara “Do you really want to see more people resorting to suicide in the face of pain? Or would it not be more human to try to alleviate pain as well as possible, rather than kill the person?”

You clearly don’t know what pain pills do to the respiratory system. What do you suggest if the person in pain happens to also have lung disease?
Sharon O’Hara

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