08-20-2012, 06:25 PM
I had a friend who passed away from Lou Gehrig's disease a year or so ago. He used similar equipment to communicate. Horrible disease. As far as I know, he died peacefully in his sleep but I believe he faced the real possibility of finally suffocating to death.
I believe in the right to choose the time and manner of your death when faced with a terminal illness.
After my dad was diagnosed with cancer, his hospice provider told him (and my mom) that when he started to go downhill that they would give him morphine which would basically hasten/ensure his death while keeping him comfortable. When that time came, the nurse asked him if he wanted the morphine and he gave her a thumbs up (he wasn't speaking at that point).
I don't see that as being any different than assisted suicide and of course, I'm glad he died peacefully shortly after that morphine administration.
I believe in the right to choose the time and manner of your death when faced with a terminal illness.
After my dad was diagnosed with cancer, his hospice provider told him (and my mom) that when he started to go downhill that they would give him morphine which would basically hasten/ensure his death while keeping him comfortable. When that time came, the nurse asked him if he wanted the morphine and he gave her a thumbs up (he wasn't speaking at that point).
I don't see that as being any different than assisted suicide and of course, I'm glad he died peacefully shortly after that morphine administration.