case of Ms. Schiavo

[Cindy C.]

Mary Jo wrote:

> The reason the case of the comatose woman in Florida is so
>controversial is that there are a lot of questions about the
>motivations of her husband.  

<snip scandalous circumstances>

Yes, but . . . 

Do we really want a system where the next-of-kin (the spouse in this
case) have their lifestyle and motivations questioned like this?  This
may seem a bit harsh, but by not having a living will, she
(deliberately or unwittingly) trusted *him* to make her decisions.  I
don't see how we can have a system where the next-of-kin get to decide
unless other family members manage to tar them in the media.  

Yes, there will be uncomfortable cases at times, but no system is
perfect.  At least having the next-of-kin decide is usually humane and
places the decision in the hands of those who can be assumed to care
most.  

Regardless of who makes the decision, though, I have to agree with
Steve that removal of feeding tubes squicks me more than cessation of
heart/lung support.  If you can't breathe on your own for 10 minutes
and the tests say you have no brain function, well . . .  But if
someone is simply so badly injured they can't swallow or feed
themselves, but they can breathe, that does seem closer to the line to
me.  

Cindy -- who thinks heroic measures would *hurt,* and who would be OK
if dh pulled the plug 'cause we all gotta go sometime and being in a
vegetative state for 13 years isn't really living