Englishman Lesley Burke, in decline from a neurological disease, went to court to make sure that as his condition worsens and his speech becomes impaired, that doctors would not deny him food and water. He won his case.
The General Medical Council is now appealing, as treatment, otherwise known as "food and water," is their call.
The lengths that some people will go to to hang on to their undignified little lives is really quite shameful.
That's so sad.
Posted by: ArklahomBoy at May 16, 2005 05:47 PMYes, it is. Not only does he have to deal with this disease, but he has to go through all this hassle to make sure they don't kill him off against his wishes.
Posted by: Donnah at May 17, 2005 11:06 AMSad? SAD???
This is criminal. If there is any moral fiber left in Britain, certainly this man can find a friend of the court intervention to stop what is an Orwellian situation.
Sad? Where is your anger, people? Would it be 'sad' if it were you or would you be (rightly)filled with anger that someone else wants the decision as to whether or not you deserve food and water?
Posted by: dymphna at May 17, 2005 12:06 PMThe doctors want the last word. They'll take the patient's wishes into consideration, but they want the ultimate say.
As long as they're classifying food and water as treatment, and disabled human beings continue being viewed as non-persons, this stuff is going to continue to happen.
Oh I get "filled with anger" every time I see something like this, Dymphna. Angry at the bastards who do this crap, but saddened for their victims.
On a lighter note, I like your banner. I'm pretty sure I have a pic of myself standing at what would be the bottom right corner of that pic you use.
Vienna was a fun town.
Posted by: ArklahomBoy at May 17, 2005 08:40 PMSocialized medicine.....coming soon to a U.S. hospital near you. Scary thought. It seems all but inevitable. I don't know if we can avoid it. Very few people I talk to seem upset by the possibility.
My view is that we will end up with medical treatment that has the efficiency of the post office , the compassion of the IRS and it'll cost 10 times as much as the first estimate.