Does this student have the right to die in school if his mother decides it will enhance his QOL (Quality of Life)?

2015-11-10T16:40:41-05:00

The AP reports that [his terminal medical condition] has hampered his blood flow, a situation exacerbated by his growth. Alex was hospitalized multiple times over the summer, and WHNT reported last month that the family's doctors feel the best choice for Alex from a quality-of-life perspective would be to let him die naturally.

The teen has hospice care twice a week, according to DecaturDaily.com, and his family obtained a legal advance directive stating Alex is not to be revived if he goes into cardiac arrest.

There's only one problem: East Limestone High School refuses to honor the advance directive and has said it will do everything it can to save the teen if something happens while he's at school.
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2015/11/04/mom-fights-school-over-teen-son-right-to-die-there.html?intcmp=ob_article_footer_text&intcmp=obnetwork

Mom fights school over teen son's right to die there | Fox News

A mother is locked in a battle with an Alabama school district over whether her son should be allowed to die at school.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Nov 10 at 2015 4:42 PM

2015-11-10T16:42:05-05:00

No I do not believe he does CPO Andy Carrillo, MS. His mother may believe that she is doing the right thing because she believes his death will enhance his quality of life. If the young man is a believer in the atoning work of the Lord Jesus Christ then his life after physical death will be more wonderful than any of us can imagine.
In any event God does not condone so called mercy killing for any reason.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Nov 10 at 2015 4:44 PM

2015-11-10T16:44:51-05:00

Dying is the best quality of life? In what universe?

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Nov 10 at 2015 4:51 PM

2015-11-10T16:51:55-05:00

Why is he even at school if he is dying anyway?

Response by MSgt Curtis Ellis made Nov 10 at 2015 4:56 PM

2015-11-10T16:56:12-05:00

Advance directives, if known, are legally binding... However, I really don't think AD's were meant to apply to a school where there are no "medically trained" personnel (school nurse doesn't count)......

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Nov 10 at 2015 7:55 PM

2015-11-10T19:55:00-05:00

It's the school's job to educate its students. For the school to postulate that this kid is going to die in their classrooms is irrelevant. However, if the kid goes into cardiac arrest in his home room, school protocol likely dictates that a 911 call is going to be placed anyway. When the EMT's arrive, they will follow their protocol for saving lives. The kid is transported to the ER. Upon arrival in the ER, the AD/DNR is produced --and nature takes its course.

As I do feel this child has every right/reason to be learning alongside his classmates & friends, the administration should accommodate him. If the mother wants her kid to be going to school, I think she has to realize that the school must follow its own protocol for emergencies. Maybe a little compromise is in order --by both parent and administration. Unfortunately, it'll take a team of lawyers to get to resolution.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 10 at 2015 8:16 PM

2015-11-10T20:16:46-05:00

Sad situation indeed. But, his mother doesn't make decisions for the entire school. She might want this for him, but what about all of the other students rights? Nobody ever considers what the other students want.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 11 at 2015 12:28 PM

2015-11-11T12:28:51-05:00

... as long as they decided it themselves ... go ahead. It is pretty much suicide, like abortion ... don't waste my money ... you do your things. You answer to your faith.

I will try to talk you out of it, but I know I can't stop you.