It's All About Me...

I am all for physician-assisted suicide

Dr. Kevorkian was released today from prison in Michigan after serving 8 years for second degree murder. Even though part of his parole conditions is that he would not participate in future assisted suicide, I do hope that he remains a strong voice in support of physician-assisted suicide.

I firmly believe that terminally ill patients should have a say in what happens to them. If I were to become terminally ill, suffering from unstoppable pain, to become brain dead or be paralyzed with a lucid mind with no hope of recovering, I would want to be euthanized. What is worse than waiting to die in pain and/or misery when a simple injection could end it all? Lots of people are against that because of their religious belief, just like they are against abortion. But as far as I am concerned, it's my body and I should have the ultimate say on what happens to it. I don't wish to be an emotional or financial burden to my family or the society if and when the time comes.

Being a veterinarian, as hard and sad as it gets, I do have the ability to relief the suffering of pets that are terminally ill. I have met so many clients over the years that expressed their wish of having someone do that for them when their time comes. Just thinking of our old Lab, Pepper, no matter how I spoiled him with treats, toys, belly rubs and long hikes by the lake, nothing I ever gave him measured up to my ability to put him out of his misery when he was suffering from liver failure.

posted by Anne-Gigi @ 11:14 AM