"He was lying there in the hospital room as silent as a grave. For her he was in a deep sleep for last 5 years. For doctors he was in coma and was showing no signs of coming out of it. She had felt misery when doctors referred to him as vegetable, living but static. But now she was getting used to this idea. She had became impassive waiting for him to get back to life talking to her, holding her, walking with her, feeling her, loving her. She could still feel fury in her mind when thinking of a drunkard bumping into his car and taking away not just his consciousness but also her life. The visits from relatives and friends were diminished now but she knew that everyone still sympathizes for her. Her heart was asking this question again and again – How long?"
This can happen to anyone, with anyone. And the question in the end is “How long”. Is it fair to end a life which doesn’t resemble living anyways?
I am talking about Euthanasia which (in Greek) means ‘well death’. It refers to the practice of ending a life in a painless manner. From the day when I first heard and understood the meaning of this word, I always pondered if this act is humane or brutal. Since it possesses the tints of both good and evil, it is always been into controversies.
If a person is suffering from endless pain, or if he is alive only on ventilators and ICU rooms then it sounds quite justifiable to set him free. This will not only cease his anguish but will also give a relief to his near and dear ones. This decision is tough for everyone but if thought logically (which is also tough), it does good to all. Frees the person from his/her pain, frees the relatives from the constant hopes and worries, frees many medical facilities which can be used on people who can be saved from traumatic lives and can live again.
On the other hand is it not immoral to take someone’s life when that person is not able to protect himself. Is it not like murder in cold blood? Atleast when the person is alive (by certain criteria and support equipments) the near and dear ones have the comfort of holding his/her hands, getting a feel of them. Is it fair to rob them from these feelings?
"She gazed inside the ICU room from the glass door. He was lying there covered in snow clad sheet and a mesh of wires running throughout his body. He still looked stunning. She knew that she loved him. She also had an urge to get loved. But she knew that it will never happen. Her heart was asking this question again and again – How long?"
P.S. – I am not trying to be judgmental on this. All these are my personal views and not intended to hurt anyone.
Wrath of God
7 years ago
IMHO - If there is only faintest hope of person getting living again... and If a person can live naturally (even in coma) he should be allowed to live... But if he cannot, and someone takes a call to remove the artificial support, (for any reason) it should not be considered brutal.
ReplyDeleteWhat would you suggest, if you were in coma, but could answer this question?
Tough question for a living one, even if you want to let him imagine stepping in a semi dead’s Shoes. You know the saying “everyone wants to go to heaven but no one wants to die”. I think even the lying person would think in the same way and will ask to wait for just tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteNow the question is “would tomorrow ever come?” I agree with ujju that if there is a slightest hope, everyone should wait. But how would you quantify the hope of near and dear ones, which could be totally illogical.
I think for sure the near and dear ones will want to keep ventilators on, till they can afford it: financially and mentally. So in all, I would say the answer totally depends on person to person. Everyone knows, when something varies from person to person, it’s good to have some kind standard for that.
I would say the longest survival duration of such kind of cases in history could be a base to make some standard.
But again like Pal said, pls don’t consider it as a judgmental statement, since a normal person can think very much different from time to time. And I am a normal person.