yes, we should all do this

[jaeclectic]

Starting with me, so you all plz nag me, k?
living will forms

And because Mark Morford always says it best: "And, by the way, I say this now to all Christians and congresspersons and right-to-lifers and anyone else who thinks they know God but really seem to know only fear and sanctimony and sad religious myopia, should I ever find myself in Terri Schiavo's condition, please, do not pray for me."

Comments

[ztepfinat0r.livejournal.com]

I understand your point and concern.
However, here is what I've witnessed:
Either the Christians will fight to keep yer meatsack alive for GAWD, or the hospitals will fight to keep yer meatsack alive to milk your insurance and your family's bank accounts dry for fun and profit.
You've got Terri Schiavo to prove the first point. For the second point, let me introduce my friend's mom; Jaqueline Schaaf. She suffered from Multiple Sclerosis and had a living will explicit on the Do Not Resuscitate thing. When she flatlined, the hospital lawyers dug and found a loophole in her living will - something about vague wording on her intentions and directions regarding EXACT conditions surrounding resuscitation. So they won. They resuscitated her. This was in Michigan. Mrs. Schaaf lived for over a decade, withering in a hospital bed, barely cognizant 98% of the time, until last December, she finally passed away.

There are no winners. There is no protection. There are no guarantees.

[jafitz.livejournal.com]

Ouch.

I concede: there are no guarantees. But I still think filling out the forms can improve your odds of having things be handled the way you would want.

[jeffmcneill.livejournal.com]

Actually, if you designate an "agent" ahead of the "primary care physician" making a decision, then bob's your uncle (sorry, Aussie phrase that just popped into the head). At least, that is what I can do in Hawai'i, so that there be no fightin'!