Today, we’re looking at the deeply Christian value of the sanctity of life: All human life. And at end of life decisions.
When
people can’t speak for themselves – because of disability or illness -
who should be allowed to decide when their lives are over?
And when values conflict over end-of-life care, whose values should prevail?
We’ll hear from a Canadian ethicist who advises close examination of the broad ranging values underlying such decisions.
And
we’ll visit with a woman who once thought a quick death was preferable
to terminal illness. We'll hear how walking through terminal illness
with a loved one - changed her perspective.
THE CONTEXT
Robert
Latimer wants another trial. The Saskatchewan farmer who spent 7 years
in prison for murdering his 12-year-old daughter Tracy, moved to a
half-way house in Ottawa recently. He’s said he’ll remain there, until
he can press his case with federal officials.
He’s always
labeled the killing of his severely disabled daughter an act of mercy,
and his second-degree murder conviction a travesty of justice. But
disabled rights activists – and Canadian courts - disagreed.
Meanwhile
a Canadian precedent in Manitoba where the College of Physicians and
Surgeons says doctors have the authority to make medical decisions to
withhold or withdraw life-sustaining treatment from a patient, without
the consent of the patient or their family.
It’s a reality
that sent the family of 84-year-old Samuel Golubchuk to court. Because
when doctors at Winnipeg’s Grace Memorial Hospital sought to disconnect
Samuel from the ventilator that was helping him breathe, his family had
to get an injunction to continue their father’s treatment.
Whether or not a life is worth living is a value-laden judgment. And
the values that inform such decisions encompass everything from medical
futility to quality of life.
But whose values should take precedence? We spoke with ethicist Dr. Margaret Somerville, from Montreal.
Bev Foster
Professional Musician and Creator of Room 217 www.room217.ca
Bev Foster, a professional musician, thought that sudden death was
preferable. But experiencing the death of her father taught her that
terminal illness offers opportunity for love, resolutions and closure.
Part of that journey led her to ask over 100 seniors what music they
would listen to as they ended their life ...that shaped her collection
of music - "Room 217" - what she describes as “Music for
Life’s Journey.”
HELPFUL RESOURCES
“Knowing we are ready for what happens after our death is it just
as big a moral question as when do I die?” Websites to help you
on your journey…
I've admired people who do "release" to death well.
Because I believe all human life was created by God, in the likeness of
God, - no mistakes about the living, not a one. I refer decisions about
death to my understanding about God. The only advice I get in my Bible
about vulnerable people is that we are to be healers and caregivers to
body and soul. So, as important as the strategy for how that will be
done, is this preparation : Is our soul part of what have we done to
prepare for death? Knowing we are ready for what happens after our
death is it just as big a moral question as when do I die?
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On April 30, 2005 Lorna was privileged to receive an honorary Doctorate of Christian Ministries from Canada's largest Christian university, Trinity Western University. Lorna was recognized for the witness and leadership that Listen Up TV has provided in public messaging: "a leader in the voice of evangelical life in Canada."
