“They made the end of his life horrible and painful and humiliating,” Elaine Greenberg said. “What’s the sense of having a living will if it’s not honored?”
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Unconscious, Michael lingered for hours. His waiting children had no one to call for advice, but Michael had left instructions for this eventuality. Sobbing, his son Bill lovingly carried out his father’s wishes.
She wanted to go out on a high note, and from her point of view, she did. But for her many friends, that note was exceedingly sour. Should we blame her? Maybe.
VSED might not be for everyone, but it is the only chance for some to experience an end to unbearable suffering. Done with careful preparation, medical support, and compassionate caregiving, VSED offers a natural end to life.
“We reached the goal for patients like me, who aren’t terminal but degenerative, to win this battle, a battle that opens the doors for the other patients who come after me.”
In his mind, Mr. Solution had become the problem, adding to his grief and distress.
“We have a long way to go to educate the public about choices in dying, about defining ‘life’, and about making the end less agonizing for patients and their families.”
When a friend once confessed, “Jim, I don’t think I could do what you’re doing,” I immediately blurted, “I don’t think I could not do what I’m doing!”
An iconic philosopher rationalized suicide long before it became a contemporary academic concept.
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