What are your views on Death with Dignity laws?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 05:17:38 -0500

What do you think of the recent push to pass death with dignity laws that allow terminally ill people to end their life? Do these laws undermine suicide prevention by telling people that suicide is sometimes okay? How would you approach the situation if one of your soldiers wanted to make this choice? What about a member of your family?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2014/11/02/brittany-maynard-as-promised-ends-her-life-at-29/

Brittany Maynard, as promised, ends her life at 29

A spokesman said the terminally ill Maynard died "as she intended — peacefully in her bedroom, in the arms of her loved ones."

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 3 at 2014 6:46 AM

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 06:46:58 -0500

This is one of those controversial topics that is sure to spark a lot of debate. Currently there are 3 states that allow death with dignity, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington. I myself would not chose this option as it conflicts with my personal and religious beliefs. However, everyone has the right to make their own health care decisions and make their own end of life choices. As a result, I respect and honor their decision. As a health care provider, I have to honor the patient's bill of rights which allows the patient to make their own choices regarding medications and treatments. They can refuse medications and treatments that may very well save their lives. But it's their right. In my opinion, this is no different than refusing life-saving treatment when end of life is the inevitable outcome either way.

http://www.deathwithdignity.org/acts

Death with Dignity Acts | Death with Dignity National Center

Three states have enacted Death with Dignity laws: Oregon, Washington, and Vermont. These laws allow mentally competent, terminally-ill adult state residents to voluntarily request and receive a prescription medication to hasten their death. This is one of many end-of-life care options available in Oregon, Washington, and Vermont.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 3 at 2014 7:02 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 07:02:56 -0500

I don't see how this is even a controversial topic. For God's sake, if there's ANYTHING you're going to let be up to each individual person, it's this.

Response by COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM made Nov 3 at 2014 9:29 AM

COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 09:29:04 -0500

Death with dignity laws:
- If it was black/white and/or easy then there would not be a debate about it.
- Lots of people with opinions but very few people with direct experience.
- Potentially ties to abortion debate. Critical question in abortion debate is "when does life begin: conception or birth". Critical question is death with dignity debate is: does an individual have the right to make life/death decisions concerning their own life?
- The common thread between the abortion debates and the death with dignity debates is a potential for a societal devaluation of individual life and dignity. This devaluation can lead to significant negative second and third order effects.
- I think the proper governmental policy lies somewhere between the extremes (suicide never allowed vs suicide easily obtained and aided by government/society). The trick is how to allow it without encouraging or facilitating it.

Response by SPC Christopher Smith made Nov 3 at 2014 12:44 PM

SPC Christopher Smith — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 12:44:28 -0500

Lets jump right into it, there is no easy way to look at this situation. On one hand we pound suicide is not the right answer for anything, but on the other hand when you are the person in pain from an illness, or the person looking into a loved ones eyes as the pain overcomes them more and more each day. Either way you'll wish their was a way to end it with no more pain. It is interesting that pro capital punishment people will quickly jump fence and say this is wrong. It is fine to forcably kill someone, but not support someones decision to end the pain in a very safe surrounded by the ones they love.

I do not have all the answers, I have had my own issues with suicide, and seeing a family member who was ill, lucky for me they were in high spirits and not in pain when they passed. This will not be an easy case, I do believe that this option should be left on the table, but not something that is pushed on anyone. This is something that is very personal and very unique to each and every situation.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 3 at 2014 12:50 PM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 12:50:09 -0500

Pardon my long person story here...Having watched my dad fight Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma for 5 years and held his hand as he took his last breath, I truly believe that it varies from person to person. I think everyone should have the right to choose what they feel is best for them. My dad stopped treatment 2 years before he died. He was tired. I remember sitting with him at the Oncologist and they telling him it could be 6 weeks or up to 2 years. He wanted to take his gun and end it then, and my step-mom took his guns away from him. When he passed, he went with his eyes wide open facing it all. Which is how my dad faced life as well..

I would have let my dad end his life. He suffered horribly with the chemo and radiation treatments that wrecked his body horribly and I would give anything to have had him not go through that. My dad didn't deserve to have to suffer like that.

Response by CPT Richard Riley made Nov 3 at 2014 1:28 PM

CPT Richard Riley — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 13:28:05 -0500

I think that until you're faced with a decision of that magnitude, you have an opinion. My F-I-L left us in early 2004 on his own terms. He endured chemo, radiation, and other prescribed treatments for a condition that did not improve. He did all he could to keep himself healthy enough to care for his wife of over 50 years. She, at the time, was slowly being engulfed by Alzheimer's. He hid his condition for almost 2 years to care for her and only when he was physically unable to do any more did we learn of the serious nature of his issues. Once Lloyd passed away Mabel really didn't seem to know he was gone. She 'outlived' him for another 8 years - how many of those years were 'good' for her I do not know. Watching a loved one grind through the last of their life and suffer is not a pleasant situation to witness.

Ultimately, I don't believe there is an easy answer and I don't think the answer is the same for everyone. It is a very personal, very individual answer that is one of, if not the most difficult decisions anyone will ever make. I try not to judge because I'm not in their shoes ....

Response by MAJ Jim Woods made Nov 3 at 2014 4:26 PM

MAJ Jim Woods — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 16:26:00 -0500

I have watched both my parents and step parents go through extended illnesses. My wife and I both have living wills that throughly explain what will happen and what won't happen should we become terminally ill.

In earlier days people just died. The medical technology that we have today did not exist (along with some of the more disabling health conditions). I like the way our sister state (Oregon) has allowed Death with Dignity to work for them. We do it for our pets so they won't suffer but then allow our loved ones to linger for years in various mental and physical states. It just doesn't make sense to me.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 4 at 2014 11:59 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 11:59:21 -0500

I think this is a difficult topic to reach an actual conclusion. I do however believe in utilinarianism in regards to pain and suffering meaning its a humane issue, would you want to see your loved one suffer due to terminal illness? Being christian myself, I am pulled in two directions. with morality at stake and religious beliefs. Yes I have had some hard times in which i didnt want to deal with but that is nothing compared to what Mrs. Maynard was going through. cowardace is one thing, to be terminally ill and not being able to do anything about it is another. So question is, is it really suicide if you only have a few months to live anyways?