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An editorial from the South Bend Tribune of South Bend, Indiana. Is my bias showing? Sorry.
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Real support for life is lacking
By KAREN CLOSSON
I have watched the news coverage on Terri Schiavo with great interest. As a nurse who spent 10 years in critical care, I sympathize with both families.
I have assisted many times in ending the life of a person who was either deemed in a persistent vegetative state or whose family felt they would not want to live in their condition. I have also assisted patients who were totally coherent die because of a devastating injury that would leave them in a condition they felt they could not tolerate. Interestingly enough I felt no guilt, just the personal anguish of the families and persons involved. It should be a very private decision, not easily made by anyone.
I also have experienced the uselessness of the "living will" or "advanced directives." Only if the person has it readily available and family is close by does it even come into play. In emergency situations, first responders certainly don't see that and of course are required by law to do what they can to "save" this person. I have also seen other family members object to the living will and hence there is hesitation to withdraw life support.
I would like our Congress and president to have more consideration for the living. My 12-year-old daughter suffers from a high functioning form of autism. She appears younger than her age and, if you don't spend much time with her, apparently normal. We have been on waiting lists for years to obtain the necessary services. We have been denied services by insurance companies who don't feel children with "developmental delays" are apparently worth it.
Time is of the essence and it is nearly too late. My daughter has wonderful attributes that could blossom into making her a productive independent person.
The Indiana House is getting ready to address a number of bills that will "kill" the Indiana Autism Mandate that makes insurance companies pay for necessary services. The bills include Senate Bill 292, which would give the governor the power to eliminate or reduce Medicaid optional services by executive order, should he determine the state's fiscal condition requires it.
Services are scarce to begin with. School funding is cut and our teachers are maxed out in their time and energy to help my daughter and other children like her.
I would urge those of you who feel so strongly about Schiavo to try to put yourself in her husband's shoes. I would urge you to think about the lack of funding and options of those who do choose to care for their loved ones in this unfortunate predicament and their lack of support.
I would urge you to look closely at the children leaving school when you pick yours up. Who is hungry, ill-clothed, without decent guidance or, those like my daughter, considered odd enough to be ostracized by their peers, but not good enough to be given a chance to live, live fully to be the best they can be. If you look closely enough you may see my daughter.
====================================================================
Real support for life is lacking
By KAREN CLOSSON
I have watched the news coverage on Terri Schiavo with great interest. As a nurse who spent 10 years in critical care, I sympathize with both families.
I have assisted many times in ending the life of a person who was either deemed in a persistent vegetative state or whose family felt they would not want to live in their condition. I have also assisted patients who were totally coherent die because of a devastating injury that would leave them in a condition they felt they could not tolerate. Interestingly enough I felt no guilt, just the personal anguish of the families and persons involved. It should be a very private decision, not easily made by anyone.
I also have experienced the uselessness of the "living will" or "advanced directives." Only if the person has it readily available and family is close by does it even come into play. In emergency situations, first responders certainly don't see that and of course are required by law to do what they can to "save" this person. I have also seen other family members object to the living will and hence there is hesitation to withdraw life support.
I would like our Congress and president to have more consideration for the living. My 12-year-old daughter suffers from a high functioning form of autism. She appears younger than her age and, if you don't spend much time with her, apparently normal. We have been on waiting lists for years to obtain the necessary services. We have been denied services by insurance companies who don't feel children with "developmental delays" are apparently worth it.
Time is of the essence and it is nearly too late. My daughter has wonderful attributes that could blossom into making her a productive independent person.
The Indiana House is getting ready to address a number of bills that will "kill" the Indiana Autism Mandate that makes insurance companies pay for necessary services. The bills include Senate Bill 292, which would give the governor the power to eliminate or reduce Medicaid optional services by executive order, should he determine the state's fiscal condition requires it.
Services are scarce to begin with. School funding is cut and our teachers are maxed out in their time and energy to help my daughter and other children like her.
I would urge those of you who feel so strongly about Schiavo to try to put yourself in her husband's shoes. I would urge you to think about the lack of funding and options of those who do choose to care for their loved ones in this unfortunate predicament and their lack of support.
I would urge you to look closely at the children leaving school when you pick yours up. Who is hungry, ill-clothed, without decent guidance or, those like my daughter, considered odd enough to be ostracized by their peers, but not good enough to be given a chance to live, live fully to be the best they can be. If you look closely enough you may see my daughter.