Hot Topic (8/8): Should this quadriplegic be allowed to die?

[Cafe GroupAdmin]

 From FoxNews.com:

A quadriplegic who says his life is a "living hell" may find out whether he can starve himself to death as early as next Friday.

Lawyer John Hammond requested Western Australia chief justice Wayne Martin hold a bedside hearing next Friday for his Perth client, Christian Rossiter, 49, at the nursing home where he's in 24-hour care.

The Brightwater Care Group has lodged an application seeking advice on whether the nursing home should continue feeding Rossiter, despite his wish to starve to death.

Speaking through a tracheotomy tube, Rossiter said he wasn't afraid of dying, just the pain.

On Thursday, Rossiter told Perth Now that Australia should adopt Switzerland's euthanasia laws and allow people freedom of choice in their right to live or die.

"I'm hoping the courts won't force them (nursing home staff) to sustain me,'' Rossiter said."This is living hell. I used to be a cyclist; I used to be a keen walker. I bushwalked around the world ... I've rock climbed in Yosemite Valley in California up very steep cliffs. . . .I want to have the food withdrawn.''

Hammond said his client's wishes should be respected.

"He wants to die now, not tomorrow, not next week, but he wants to die now and he wants to die without pain,'' Hammond said Thursday.

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Should adults be allowed to die at their own request, even when they are not terminally ill?

If so, should we try to prevent people from committing suicide?  Is there a difference? 

[Proudbirthmom06]

I know we can't understand the situation unless we have been there, but I feel like the court should rule that the nursing home keep feeding him. There is no difference in committing suicide and what he is wanting. We can't play the role of God and if God hasn't taken his life yet, obviously there is a reason WHY God is sustaining him. Think about it: when God ordains our days on earth, He knows when and how we are going to die. He plans all our days before He even puts us here. So if God hasn't ended this man's life, isn't it obvious He has a purpose for him?

[DevilDuckie]

I don't know what to say to this.  When my grandfather was injuried and in pain and we were informed he would die slowly it was heartbreaking.  We were told we could do two things to speed along the process.  Either deny him food and water or deny medication.  I couldn't imagine denying him food and water.  How do you do that ? 

But this person wants to do it to themselves which is scary.  How much pain are they trully in to find this as the end all solution.  It seems wrong on both ends - wrong to let them suffer and wrong to allow the slow suicide.  Ugh.  I just don't know.

[momandvet]

I think that we can deffinitley consider quality of life.  This man is suffering beyond anything I could possible understand.  He doesn't want to live anymore, let him go with dignity.

I don't know where I stand on suicide for otherwise healthy people.  I don't like the idea of the government dictating whether or not someone must live.  I also couldn't imagine allowing someone I love to just take their life, if they were not truly suffering. 

[EireLass]

I didn't read the story, because I already know how I feel about it. I think everyone should be allowed to die when they want. 

[Friday]

Quoting EireLass:

I didn't read the story, because I already know how I feel about it. I think everyone should be allowed to die when they want. 

This. My body, my life, my choice.

[mamadixon]

Exactly.

Quoting EireLass:

I didn't read the story, because I already know how I feel about it. I think everyone should be allowed to die when they want. 

[partygal19dani]

Quoting mamadixon:

Exactly.

Quoting EireLass:

I didn't read the story, because I already know how I feel about it. I think everyone should be allowed to die when they want. 

Me too!! I am an agnostic (former Catholic) so I don't feel concerned that I will be banished to hell by God if I chose to end my life!!!!  And think about it...........most healthy people would choose life over death, SOOO any person who wants to die IS suffering horribly (whether it be mentally or physically or a combination of both)!!!  I don't feel that the govt. should have a say in a person ending their life at all.  Only if you are trying to end someone else's!  lol

[ain-gell72]

as far as it being his choice, that's it, his choice to die or live. can we really prevent people from committing suicide if they really want to do it? no, we can't, somehow, someway they will find a way.

but I must say, starving will not be painless for him, nor will it be quick. he will sustain for at least 1 to 2 weeks before his body starts to shut down and for pain, yep- they have painkillers but they only do so much, at the end they don't help.

[momandvet]

Hey we agree on something. :)

Quoting mamadixon:

Exactly.

Quoting EireLass:

I didn't read the story, because I already know how I feel about it. I think everyone should be allowed to die when they want. 

[mrsJLA]

I would consider the feeding tube above and beyond means to extend the man's life. If he were not conscious it would be up to his will or next of kin to decide whether or not extraordinary means should be used to keep him alive. Since he is alive, he can express his own desire to not have the feeding tubes kept in him. If that means he will die, then so be it. We do not live this man's life, so we cannot make those decisions for him.