Posted on Nov 10, 2015
Does this student have the right to die in school if his mother decides it will enhance his QOL (Quality of Life)?
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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
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
Posted in these groups: 
Ethics
Ethics
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 7
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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)......
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SGT Jeremiah B.
Yeah, this is where I get a bit uncomfortable - asking a medical professional to not try, okay. Asking a school administrator? Not cool.
A lot of people also don't realize that AD's don't apply to emergency personnel either. We were told by our lawyer that in a case where one of our AD's kicks in, do NOT call 911 until it is far, far too late (or find out from your doctor on how to report the death in a non-emergency manner).
A lot of people also don't realize that AD's don't apply to emergency personnel either. We were told by our lawyer that in a case where one of our AD's kicks in, do NOT call 911 until it is far, far too late (or find out from your doctor on how to report the death in a non-emergency manner).
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CPO Andy Carrillo, MS
Yes, the mother wants him to continue attending until he drops, then she wants the school authorities not to take any action to preserve his life according to his advanced directive (DNR). Unknown if he is in school at this moment, but she is insisting for the option.
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SGT Jeremiah B.
He has a condition that will eventually kill him. He's not terminal like "you have two weeks to live" but just has a condition that will kill him, it's just that no one knows when. Until then, I'm guessing his mom wants him to have as normal a life as possible.
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Capt Mark Strobl
SGT Jerrold Pesz - The kid has a right to be educated. Can't discriminate against the terminally ill.
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SGT Jerrold Pesz
I just read the article again. Hospice care is normally only for people in the final stages of dying and it says that he is only physically able to attend school 4 hours a week. I feel for the kid and his family but it doesn't sound like school is doing much for him and I can see why the school doesn't want him dropping dead in class.
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... 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.
I will try to talk you out of it, but I know I can't stop you.
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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.
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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.
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.
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SGT Jeremiah B.
With a terminal illness, yes. I don't know about your experiences, but I went to high school with a kid that had only 6 months to live. It was really important to him that he continued to go to school because that was normal life. He died 3 days before graduation. Thankfully, the administration printed him a diploma, got a cap and gown and rushed to the hospital to give him his graduation ceremony the day before. Don't let school attendance throw you off.
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Capt Seid Waddell
SGT Jeremiah B., if the student can go to school is life really so bad that a DNR is called for?
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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.
In any event God does not condone so called mercy killing for any reason.
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CPO Andy Carrillo, MS
I think she wants her son to continue to attend school and die there when the time comes knowing that his condition is terminal.
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LTC Stephen F.
CPO Andy Carrillo, MS - the way your question was worded it seemed she was advocating the "right to die" as opposed to allowing him to die naturally.
I concur with your reasoning if "she wants her son to continue to attend school and die there when the time comes knowing that his condition is terminal."
That is allowing the dying process to occur naturally as God most likely intends for this young man.
I concur with your reasoning if "she wants her son to continue to attend school and die there when the time comes knowing that his condition is terminal."
That is allowing the dying process to occur naturally as God most likely intends for this young man.
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