Dying with dignity
Toolbox
Published: July 7, 2010
For the second time in my life, I have watched a family member leave this earth hooked up to a hospital bed. For those of you who have been in the same situation, you know the feeling. For those of you who have not yet – brace yourself.
Lying in bed surrounded by pillows, tubes going from here to there and back again, all having a purpose. Nurses on both sides of the bed making your loved one as comfortable as possible – why? Why not just let us die with dignity?
Arms that look like pincushions; going way down deep to find that next breath; no longer can we control our muscles; so hard to communicate to let people know our lips are dry. Where is the dignity?
When the time comes in our lives that we must leave here, and everyone around us knows this, just let us die with dignity. Keeping us breathing with machines when God knows that no human can change his destiny; let us die with dignity.
To you lawmakers, instead of trying to pass new laws to raise taxes to squeeze more money out of us, why can't you make and pass the laws that will allow doctors similar to Dr. Kevorkian to come and visit us and allow us to die with dignity.
Thanks, sis, for the times you've helped me. I miss you very much.
Emile Gosselin
Topsham
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