Recently, on the Editorial Page of the Calgary Herald, Paula Arab wrote under the heading'Watching Grandma Die taught me Lessons about Living'.
Her points: (in quotes)
1. 'Grandma held on for 8 more days after Doctor's predicted she wouldn't live more than 24 hours. It was ?brutal? for her and 'traumatic' for loved ones'.
My response: What about Grandma's feelings and wishes?
Did she WANT to live that extra time under those conditions?
If not, why did she HAVE to?
Only because of our antiquated law and societies religious attitudes which deny us the Right to Die.
2. 'Nobody wants to die in an institution, die alone, be a burden to their loved ones, or die a painful death.' 'It is these fears and the sense of helplessness that drive the calls for Assisted Suicide.' 'Good palliative care will eliminate the demand for euthanasia'
My response: Agreed, PROVIDED the patient WANTS to live under these conditions and PROVIDED society can AFFORD to pay for palliative care. There is a limit to financial resources ? few of the modern generation have yet accepted this fact.
3. 'Assisted suicide is a slippery slope that undermines the whole philosophy of palliative care. It has proven to be in the Netherlands and Oregon where assisted suicide is legal'.
My response: I challenge her to find one specific example of her expressed fear.
4. 'Assisted suicide is being reviewed and considered in Quebec. They should place their political attention and resources on long term and palliative care.'
My response: I salute Quebec on their forward thinking, and hope such rights will be passed. Regretfully it must also be then passed by the Federal Government, and probably take too long to be of benefit to my generation.
Respectfully submitted
Cam Mitchell, Calgary. (age 85)
http://www.publishaletter.com/editorchoiceletter.jsp?plid=25454
