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| Assisted suicide; young English rugby player | |
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| Topic Started: Saturday, 18. October 2008, 23:08 (92 Views) | |
| John Sweeney | Saturday, 18. October 2008, 23:08 Post #1 |
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A very sad story in the news today about the 23 year old man , paralysed from the neck down in a rugby training accident. He travelled to Switzerland with the knowledge and assistance of his parents and there ended his life in an "assisted suicide". His parents say he could not bear to live and felt trapped in his paralysed body. As Catholics we deplore this , of course. And our view is supported by many medical people and by this Government which like all its predecessors has refused to allow euthanasia. And yet it is hard not to feel great sympathy for the family and to understand how that previously very fit man felt facing a lifetime very severely handicapped. A real heartbreaking story. John |
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| Rose of York | Saturday, 18. October 2008, 23:20 Post #2 |
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It is heartbreaking, John, but as you say, we deplore this. If ever euthanasia is legalised for extreme cases the floodgates will be opened, as with abortion. |
  Catholic and proud of it! Talk to God before Mass. Talk to each other afterwards | |
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| Emee | Saturday, 18. October 2008, 23:21 Post #3 |
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I discussed this with my family this evening John. I just think it is so sad for everybody involved. Although I believe euthanasia is wrong, how can I judge this young lad and his family? How can I begin to even start to imagine what his changed life must have been like for him? My only comparison is to Joni Erikkson, a sporty young teenager who became a near quadraplegic at the age of 17 in a diving accident. Fortunately for her she had a Christian faith beforehand and this supported her through the early stages of her new condition and afterwards. Her boyfriend at the time couldn't cope with the change in her condition, but she eventually found love with someone else and went on to marry them. She has lived a full life since then writing and painting - but then her condition was not quite so bad as the young lad's and she has some movement in her upper arms. Poor lad - may God rest his soul. Poor family. However, Rose is right. I hope this does not set a precedent. Mind you I know of cases where the elderly in hospital who, even wanting to live, have had food and sometimes liquids taken away from them. To my mind this is even more shocking as it goes on all the time in our hospitals. I fear the young lad may be just the tip of the iceberg. I am very wary of the "care" of our elderly in our hospitals.[redit][/redit] Edited by Emee, Saturday, 18. October 2008, 23:25.
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| Deleted User | Sunday, 19. October 2008, 16:12 Post #4 |
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I was wondering when does pro longing life become an obstacle to natural law taking place? Church Teaching states the dignity of the human person and concept of life are very important, and must be protected. We have the right to die peacefully with 'human and Christian dignity', however, we are unable to procure our own death or help someone else. However, when does the use of therapeutic means cause problems, of course, taking into account the conscience of the sick person, their spokesperson, and even the doctors? Is it necessary in all circumstances to have recourse to all possible remedies or just some relevant ones? Moral theology implies one is never obliged to use "extraordinary" means'. But what does that mean today, especially in regards to the 'the rapid progress made in the treatment of sickness'? What is "proportionate" and "disproportionate"? There are a number of factors to consider when deciding on the best course of treatement, which are, complexity or risk, cost, possibilities of using it, chances of a result, state of the sick person and their physical and moral 'resources'. Additionally, If there are no other sufficient remedies, then with the patients consent, one can use experimental treatment with possible risk. By accepting them, the "patient can even show generosity in the service of humanity." These can be stopped if results are inadequate but taking into account patient and family views. One can look at the patient suffering and decide whether that is in proportion to the benefits. Moreover, its ok just to use "the normal means that medicine can offer." Additionally, one cannot force someone to have treatment already in use but which carries a risk or is burdensome, and this is not the same as suicide but "an acceptance of the human condition, or a wish to avoid the application of a medical procedure disproportionate to the results that can be expected, or a desire not to impose excessive expense on the family or the community." The following Church Teachings must be added: "The administration of food and liquids, even artificially, is part of the normal treatment always due to the patient when this is not burdensome for him or her; their undue interruption can have the meaning of real and true euthanasia”. "In response to those who doubt the “human quality” of patients in a “permanent vegetative state”, it is necessary to reaffirm that “the intrinsic value and personal dignity of every human being do not change, no matter what the concrete circumstances of his or her life. A man, even if seriously ill or disabled in the exercise of his highest functions, is and always will be a man, and he will never become a ‘vegetable’ or an ‘animal’...“The sick person in a vegetative state, awaiting recovery or a natural end, still has the right to basic health care (nutrition, hydration, cleanliness, warmth, etc.), and to the prevention of complications related to his confinement to bed. He also has the right to appropriate rehabilitative care and to be monitored for clinical signs of possible recovery. I should like particularly to underline how the administration of water and food, even when provided by artificial means, always represents a natural means of preserving life, not a medical act. Its use, furthermore, should be considered, in principle, ordinary and proportionate, and as such morally obligatory, to the extent to which, and for as long as, it is shown to accomplish its proper finality, which in the present case consists in providing nourishment to the patient and alleviation of his suffering” "When stating that the administration of food and water is morally obligatory in principle, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith does not exclude the possibility that, in very remote places or in situations of extreme poverty, the artificial provision of food and water may be physically impossible, and then ad impossibilia nemo tenetur. However, the obligation to offer the minimal treatments that are available remains in place, as well as that of obtaining, if possible, the means necessary for an adequate support of life. Nor is the possibility excluded that, due to emerging complications, a patient may be unable to assimilate food and liquids, so that their provision becomes altogether useless. Finally, the possibility is not absolutely excluded that, in some rare cases, artificial nourishment and hydration may be excessively burdensome for the patient or may cause significant physical discomfort, for example resulting from complications in the use of the means employed." Taken from CDF Declaration on Euthanasia Also see the Pontifical Council Cor Unum document entitled Some Ethical Questions Relating to the Gravely Ill and the Dying Pontifical Council for Pastoral Assistance to Health Care Workers 'Charter for Health Care Workers' |
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| Rose of York | Sunday, 19. October 2008, 16:28 Post #5 |
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JD thank you so much for your instruction! I think most if not all of us know all that, already. In the case of this particular young man, there was no question of extraordinary treatment prolonging life, or withdrawal of treatment shortening it. There was, apparently, no way of hastening life by refusing treatment. The only way his death could be hastened, was by direct action to kill. |
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Catholic and proud of it! Talk to God before Mass. Talk to each other afterwards | |
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| OsullivanB | Sunday, 19. October 2008, 16:48 Post #6 |
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The only really relevant comments that I have read were those in yesterday's Times from others of similar ages who had suffered comparable injuries and found value in their changed lives. I don't myself feel in any way competent to add to their voices. I agree with the Church's teaching. I thank God I have never had to face a personal test of this magnitude and pray it be His will that I be spared such a test. Edited by OsullivanB, Sunday, 19. October 2008, 16:49.
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| Deleted User | Sunday, 19. October 2008, 17:01 Post #7 |
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Yeah, but maybe someone will read the blog and not know what the Church Teaches. |
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| MickCook | Sunday, 19. October 2008, 17:14 Post #8 |
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I use to work for David Good, a quadraplegic who before a training accident played for Oldham Rugby and was tipped for playing for England. Dave accepted and dealt with his condition, even though he could move only his arms (but not hands) and head. He was confined to a motorised wheelchair, but this did not stop him from becoming Chairman of ODAG (Oldham Disability Action Group) and Dial (Disabilty Information and Advice Line) where I was employed as an advisor and administrator. I have seen disabled people of all shapes sizes and ages who have learned to deal with their disability and get on with their lives. Such people have tremendous courage and patience, which is why I find it hard to understand the kind of self-pity that leads to assisted suicide. I feel that the Church has it right - life matters, even when the going gets really tough. We need to respect life, to cherish it and give it the value it deserves - like David Good and all the disabled in Oldham who get on with their lives whille contributing to society as a whole. |
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:) Mick The Cook Companies | |
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| John Sweeney | Sunday, 19. October 2008, 21:56 Post #9 |
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You make a very srong point Mick and the papers here are full of stories about young men faced with similar horrors who have coped and who are leading very fulfilled and happy lifes. However, despite my support for Church teaching on this most difficult of subjects, I cannot resist a feeling not only of undestanding but also of admiration for this young man's choice. I know this is wrong so spare the condemnation. John |
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| Rose of York | Sunday, 19. October 2008, 23:02 Post #10 |
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Self pity or despair? Some have a greater capacity than others, for courage and patiencet despite adversity. We who have not been in that situation do not know how we would react. God will judge, so I prefer to leave it to Him. |
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Catholic and proud of it! Talk to God before Mass. Talk to each other afterwards | |
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