doggy.lover Posted November 11, 2008 Report Share Posted November 11, 2008 girl refuses heart After reading the above news article I have to admit I am steaming mad.. How the hell can a 12 yr old CHILD be allowed to refuse an op that could cure her and give her a full and active life yet a GROWN WOMAN cannot decide when she wants to allow herself to die with dignity and her family around her from a medical condition that cannot be be cured. How can that be morally and legally right ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rudi Posted November 11, 2008 Report Share Posted November 11, 2008 I just read that too. I suppose for the girl, it's the likelihood that she wouldn't lead a full and active life that puts her off, she's had leukaemia since she was small so is probably very aware of what would be in store for her and perhaps has just had enough. I guess in law, there's a difference between refusing treament and actively taking a drug or whatever to end one's life. Not sure about moral rights though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merledogs Posted November 11, 2008 Report Share Posted November 11, 2008 (edited) Unless you have lived this girl's life, or that of her parents, who have cared for her day in day out, then I don't think anyone has the right to judge. This poor child has been in and out of hospitals for many years and for all that time she has apparently not had what most would term a "good quality of life". I don't see it mentioned anywhere that the heart transplant would give her a full and active life, in fact it is highly dangerous. See her interview here. She sounds like a very sensible, intelligent child and I am sure her parents would not have come to what must be a heart breaking decision to support her wishes without plenty of thought and emotion having gone into it. The last thing they need is people who know nothing of what they are feeling judging them. Edited November 11, 2008 by merledogs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merledogs Posted November 11, 2008 Report Share Posted November 11, 2008 (edited) Just to add that I agree re the assisted suicide woman - I believe very strongly that we have the right to choose where and how we die and I find it awful that a loved one could be prosecuted for helping someone achieve peace Edited November 11, 2008 by merledogs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kats inc Posted November 11, 2008 Report Share Posted November 11, 2008 Just to add that I agree re the assisted suicide woman - I believe very strongly that we have the right to choose where and how we die and I find it awful that a loved one could be prosecuted for helping someone achieve peace I agree Alex.I commented about the young rugby player who went to Switzerland on the other thread about Right to Die because I felt so cross about it all. However I don't think these two cases can be judged against each other either morally or legally.I think the young girl has made a very difficult but very wise decision.If she is basing her choices on informed and considered decison making then she is perfectly able to do so both morally and legally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReikiAnge Posted November 11, 2008 Report Share Posted November 11, 2008 I agree with what you've said in both posts Alex - and also with Jules. However I don't think these two cases can be judged against each other either morally or legally.I think the young girl has made a very difficult but very wise decision.If she is basing her choices on informed and considered decison making then she is perfectly able to do so both morally and legally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mop Posted November 11, 2008 Report Share Posted November 11, 2008 Having watched Bill suffer for over 10 years, I can understand this girl and her parents and my heart goes out to them. This isn't an easy decision to make because we are programmed to survive, people have to be desperate to make this type of decision. Bill gave up, he had taken more than most people are asked to take but he kept fighting back until he go so tired he couldn't fight back any more, he also had to watch me struggled to take care of him and watch my health deteriate, so he just let go. Letting things run their course, is different to helping someone kill themselves although I have sympathy for these people as well after watching my mother die of gangrene thanks to her GPs negligence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanishPastry Posted November 11, 2008 Report Share Posted November 11, 2008 Unless you have lived this girl's life, or that of her parents, who have cared for her day in day out, then I don't think anyone has the right to judge. This poor child has been in and out of hospitals for many years and for all that time she has apparently not had what most would term a "good quality of life". I don't see it mentioned anywhere that the heart transplant would give her a full and active life, in fact it is highly dangerous. See her interview here. She sounds like a very sensible, intelligent child and I am sure her parents would not have come to what must be a heart breaking decision to support her wishes without plenty of thought and emotion having gone into it. The last thing they need is people who know nothing of what they are feeling judging them. totally agree, also with your second post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doggy.lover Posted November 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2008 (edited) Unless you have lived this girl's life, or that of her parents, who have cared for her day in day out, then I don't think anyone has the right to judge. This poor child has been in and out of hospitals for many years and for all that time she has apparently not had what most would term a "good quality of life". I don't see it mentioned anywhere that the heart transplant would give her a full and active life, in fact it is highly dangerous. See her interview here. She sounds like a very sensible, intelligent child and I am sure her parents would not have come to what must be a heart breaking decision to support her wishes without plenty of thought and emotion having gone into it. The last thing they need is people who know nothing of what they are feeling judging them. I appreciate that and I don't mean to demean her choice really I don't, my frustration is in the hypocrisy(sp?) that allows her to make such a choice whilst refusing a grown adult a choice of a similar nature Edited November 11, 2008 by doggy.lover Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merledogs Posted November 11, 2008 Report Share Posted November 11, 2008 I appreciate that and I don't mean to demean her choice really I don't, my frustration is in the hypocrisy(sp?) that allows her to make such a choice whilst refusing a grown adult a choice of a similar nature I know, I share your frustration Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kats inc Posted November 11, 2008 Report Share Posted November 11, 2008 I've just watched this young lady interviewed and I am so impressed by her.What a mature and well reasoned person she is and how amazingly strong for her parents to be standing by her like this.If only the world were more full of young people like her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackin Posted November 12, 2008 Report Share Posted November 12, 2008 This brave young lady chose not to have an operation that could have killed her as it was not garenteed to be a success.She would rather spent time with her family and live possibily as long as the op would have given her as she would not have the stress and pain of an op. This quite different to asking some one to kill you as that is what is the truth about assisted suicide . Have nursed many people including family that suffered but with such bravery and some that would have and should have died with dignity if the medical profession had not kept them alive with drugs and ops etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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