March 16, 2006
Since When?
Ok I saw this article in the headlines this morning.
Now first, I realize it is in the UK, but it still really irks me.
Let me give you a bit of background. This baby boy - Baby MB was born with the most severe form of spinal muscular atrophy. He is paralyzed and on an internal ventilator.
The doctors want to turn the ventilator off. AGAINST the parents wishes. Again - against the PARENTS wishes.
Since when do Doctors get that power? Since when do THEY decide? I thought that was up to the patients and/or guardians. Maybe the laws are that different between here and there but still, the question needs to be asked.....
This whole thing was like a kick in the gut. I can't say what I would do or how I would feel if I were the mother and this was my baby. I can't even begin to imagine. But I do know that if some Doctor actually had the balls to take me to court to take away my options I'd be pretty pissed off. (that is the understatement of the century.)
Anyone know? Is the law that different over there? And how would YOU feel if you were hauled into court by a Doctor because you WANTED to take care of your child?
Posted by Tammi at March 16, 2006 07:52 AMIt happens here on occassion too.
Posted by: oddybobo at March 16, 2006 08:20 AMThe law is different. The judges there literally have power over life and death. If the judge rules to unplug, the kid dies and no one can stop him.
Posted by: Ogre at March 16, 2006 09:29 AMWow. Just read the article AND the comment string. One woman "Alice" commented that "Plus, to look at it with cold, hard logic, the treatment of this terminal child is using up financial resources that could be spent improving the quality of life of those who are going to live". Wow! This is a woman?!
I couldn't let it go. So here's my reply that I sent (we'll see if it gets posted by the moderator):
Alice, lets take your view a step further. No help for those paralyzed in accidents, they won't recover, they'll never walk again. What about those in comas? Pull the plug, save the money. Who else? Oh the mentally handicapped. They won't recover. They don't need the money. People who lose a limb, they won't grow it back. Why spend the money on them.
Do you see the arrogance and errors of your comment yet?Using your logic, there would be few people left to need help.
Amazing. People never cease to amaze me.
Posted by: Lee Ann at March 16, 2006 11:23 AMThat sort of thing is the natural result of government-paid health care. On this side of the pond, though, these matters are sometimes decided by some weenie in an insurance office. The only real way to make all of these decsions one's own self would be to be a gazillionaire.
Posted by: Peter at March 16, 2006 12:11 PMThey did it! They published my comment! I'm on page four! Yeah! And lots of "Yanks" weighin in on it too!
Posted by: Lee Ann at March 17, 2006 11:00 AM