Charlotte
I know that I am writing this from the point of view of being a reasonably healthy person. I know also that this us a very contraversial topic which is coloured by an individual's background, upbringing, religion, ethical beliefs, etc. But I'm going to try to express my thoughts on this issue.
This article states that Charlotte, the little girl who was born prematurely, is now stable enough to leave the hospital (aged three). She is 'severely brain-damaged, almost blind and deaf, and unable to walk or crawl'.
I'm sure her parents believed they were doing the right thing. I understand that every parent will do everything they can to protect their child. However, I have to wonder whether it would have been better for the medical profession to have not interfered so aggressively when Charlotte was born.
I don't believe in god, I don't believe in a higher purpose, therefore I don't believe that I was "meant to be". I feel we make our own purpose in life; I was born simply because my parents created me and, in a scientific/genetic sense, my life was viable. I'm not saying that neo-natal units and advances in medical techniques are all wrong but I feel that more thought needs to go into how far we as a society should go in preserving life at all costs.
Easier said than done, I know.
In Charlotte's case, the doctors felt it better not to resuscitate her in the event of death but her parents fought that decision, the pressure of which has lead to them splitting up. I'll admit, I've no idea how I'd feel if I was in that situation but I only hope that I would have the courage to stick by my convictions.
Against the odds, Charlotte has survived but she now has no home to go to and has minimal contact with her parents. I'm sure the medical staff are doing their best to ensure she is comfortable and happy but I have to ask, what sort of life is this?
What do you think?
posted by Rhea at 10/22/2006 01:22:00 pm
3 Comments:
I think we don't know what sort of life Charlotte has - only she knows, and she's not telling. But I do know that the vast majority of people on this planet will fight for their lives, and - like you - I understand the drive of parents to fight for the lives of their children. The medical profession is geared to aggressive intervention in the face of possible death, however apparently pointless that may be - just look at the statistics of how many people survive resuscitation long-term. I think of what has recently been discovered about people in persistent vegetative states and sleeping pills, and I think of Terri Schiavo, and I think it has to stay that way.
Well I tend towards agreeing with Zinnia.
As I understand it, the parents challenged the drs decision not to resuscitate successfully, and since then she hasn't needed resuscitation anyway.
Perhaps what's needed is the parents of severely disabled children not to be put under that kind of additional pressure...
You both make very good points. Thank you.
I think my opinions on this issue have been coloured by my memories of the final weeks of my grandparents' lives.
I totally understand and agree that it's a fundamental drive to fight for life (your own and those in your care). My struggle is to make sense of of the point when the line is crossed.
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