New research show patients deemed brain-dead might still be conscious
Posted by: branwynne77 on: August 12, 2007
Now that’s a thought to scare me. (Ever since I watched that one Tales from the Crypt episode where a doctor thinks he’s watching his own autospy… Scared the beejebus out of me.) Actually, though, that’s one of mankind’s basic fears: the fear of being prematurely considered dead and put in the ground.
So how do we then determine who is dead and who is alive? When do compassion, mercy and doing what is right meet together?
I don’t believe in suicide. It’s wasteful and hurts so many more people in the long run. I’m not even advocating euthanasia. BUT we, as people, need to learn the difference between clinging to someone who is just the shell of the person they had been and suffering needlessly from the person who can recover and live a fruitful life.
It is only my opinion, but I believe it becomes unethical to keep someone alive when there is no hope for any sort of positive outcome, when they are in a permanent vegetative state, when they need machines to keep them alive for a long period of time.
People have a hard time letting go. Letting go of problems, letting go of worries, letting go of the people they love. I’ve found out that’s what most of life’s lessons are about: simply letting go.
3 Responses to "New research show patients deemed brain-dead might still be conscious"
August 25, 2007 at 3:25 pm
Edgar Allan Poe had a great fear of being buried alive. he left instructions for an air tube and a bell to be rigged over his casket. It’s hard to draw the line between clinging and letting go.
Leave a Reply
Internet Bumper Stickers
August 12, 2007 at 10:47 pm
Sometimes… Letting go is easier said than done.