Tampa Tribune
The
Lesson of Terri Schiavo
By: Paul Malley
Oct. 15, 2003
In
what could be the culminating days of a long and tragic legal battle there
will be no winners. But the case involving Terri Schiavo can impact each of
us for the better by spurring us into action to avoid similar scenarios in
our own families.
Twelve
years ago, Terri Schiavo was in seemingly good health and likely considered
the subject of illness and death only in the abstract. Who can blame her?
Like so many people who enjoy good health, even talking about illness and
end-of-life care is a depressing, even taboo, topic – one best avoided or put
off to later.
Unfortunately, because Terri Schiavo did not make a written record of her
wishes in advance, when she became unable to speak for herself, it fell to
family members, physicians, lawyers, ethicists and judges to decide. Thus
followed years of entirely avoidable legal strife and family suffering.
There
is a clear lesson to be drawn from this sad story. Regardless of your age or
health status, take the time now to think about and decide what kind of care
you want in the event you become seriously ill and unable to make decisions
for yourself. Do not be afraid to talk frankly with your spouse, family,
clergy and doctor about your preferences.
Then, fill out an advance directive document and name a health care agent
(the person you name who will make decisions for you if you cannot). These
advance directives are easy to complete, legally valid and they clearly
communicate to doctors and others what you want and do not want.
Life
is sacred. It should be protected and preserved, and the God-given dignity of
every person should be respected, particularly at the end of life.
Most people, when asked, say they would want to die in their own home; to be
surrounded by family and loved ones; to be free from pain; and to have people
praying for them. Unfortunately, this is far from the reality in most
instances. Yet the majority of us remain silent on some of the most important
decisions of our lives – how we would want to be cared for in case of a
serious illness.
There
is some good news to report. A growing number of Americans are asserting
their right to make their own decisions about the kind of end-of-life care
they want and do not want. More than three million have used the Five Wishes
advance directive in less than five years. Hundreds of enlightened companies
across America – including
Delta Air Lines, the US State Department and MTV headquarters in New York – are giving
advance directives to employees and their families.
This discussion and planning should be at the top of everyone’s “To Do” list.
The topic is likely to be in the news in the coming days – you can use that
as a springboard for the conversation.
Although
there will be no winners in the legal outcome that will determine Terri
Schiavo’s future, we can all take something from this heartbreaking epic.
Some decisions are too important to leave to someone else. Now is the time to
make your wishes known. Consider it a gift to yourself as well as your loved
ones.
Paul Malley is president
of Aging with Dignity, a Florida-based national advocate for better care at
the end of life. Aging with Dignity created and distributes the Five Wishes
advance directive, which is used by more than three million American families
to plan for care in case of a serious illness. For information, go to www.agingwithdignity.org ,
or call 1-(888) 5-WISHES (594-7437).
Copyright © 2003, the Tampa
Tribune