DEATH WITH DIGNITY

Terri died. Her husband’s lawyer said she had a peaceful beautiful death. Her right to dignity had been preserved. Well, I for one do not want to go into that good night peacefully. Dignity be dammed. Let me leave kicking and screaming, struggling, in pain if necessary. My husband and I agree, “Please use all methods, medical, mechanical, supernatural, or otherwise, to keep our bodies alive as long as possible.” There is always hope. And even if hope is gone, I do not want to just slip away, as if life has no worth, or purpose. We have all heard of folks in profound coma awaking after many years when all hope was gone. Besides, I firmly believe we humans have no business deciding when another human dies. Except in war, which is sometimes a necessary evil.