Comments on: Choosing Death Over a Paralyzed Life

By: Hank Dunn

Hank Dunn — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 13:29:47 +0000

In reply to Andy R. Thank you Andy for your comments. I can see your point. It could have been that Mr. Bowers could have been successfully weened off the ventilator and even started feeding himself. Then his only option for a morally neutral exit might have been to voluntarily stop eating and drinking. He probably would not have been considered terminal at that point and physician-assisted suicide would not have been an option if he lived in a jurisdiction that allowed it. Very tough choices in any case. Hank

By: Andy R

Andy R — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 12:58:47 +0000

I’ve had the honour of meeting Stephen Hawking, and there’s no doubt that he has led a rich full life by his own standards. On the other hand, he has recently changed his opinion to say that he would like there to be assistance in dying if life became unbearable in the next few years.

Two things to note: Firstly, it happened to him gradually, not suddenly, a slow wasting of nerves. Secondly, Hawking has a phenomenal mind and memory that allows him to do mind bendingly complex Physics equations in his head.

There are very few of us with his capacity to live such a rich, purely cerebral existence. I studied Physics at the same college where he was Lucasian Mathematics professor, but I personally could not begin to face the loss of all the other pleasures of life.

I think one reason Tim Bowers chose so quickly might have been the fact that he felt it would be his last chance. Once we are connected to machines keeping us alive, it is more difficult to get them removed.

This is a common issue faced by those who choose assisted dying – they die earlier because they are afraid that if they wait too long they won’t have the physical strength to do it. Others who know they have the option – i.e. where the country allows it – feel like they have been given back control over their fate and are happy to delay a little longer.

Maybe there is a case for not making too hasty a decision – but I believe that such a delay should be balanced by having the knowledge that you can change your mind and be delivered peacefully.

In the absence of such peaceful assistance, I’d go with Tim Bower’s choice every time.

By: Saundra Jack RN MSN

Saundra Jack RN MSN — Wed, 13 Nov 2013 19:44:57 +0000

It was my privilege to help establish the Nathan Adelson Hospice in Las Vegas, NV, 1979, so I have a very long nursing career of supporting the dying patient. I believe the first time I read Hank Dunn’s pamphlet, Hard Choices For Loving People was in the 1980’s when I was practicing LTC in California. It was such a pleasure to finally have such an awesome tool to help families and friends work through this very difficult experience of supporting their loved one’s Advanced Directives.
Yes, I agree with the concerns stated about this paralyzed hunter and would have encouraged the family to take more time for such a critical and final decision, however, none of us have walked in this family’s shoes or knew the hunter liked they did. I do know from the medical community can become more reluctant and even obstructive in this process the longer the patient remains on life support in these type of cases.
Thank you Mr. Dunn for your wonderful information, good common sense, and kind empathy for patients, families, friends and health care providers.

By: Paul

Paul — Wed, 13 Nov 2013 15:18:20 +0000

I was saddened by this story. As a Catholic I choose life over death, but am torn on what I would do especially regarding quality of life if it was me that fell from the tree. This was a difficult decision no doubt and I respect the decision as only He knows what’s in his heart. I just thought that there was so little time involved in the decision making process in this story.

Further, the media seemed to applaud the decision, with the healthcare problems this country is facing, it seemed that the media chooses to terminate over waiting to make an informed decision, just my humble opinion.