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Each of us is given a period of time to spend our lives on this plane. At the point where through disease or through age, we become ready to move forward to another place, who has the right to make the decision to hold us back with machines or tubes? My belief that it is wrong and in a sense selfish to hold someone from his/her ultimate destiny.

I am not precluding those times when their is a chance of recovery or cure. I am speaking of the point when their are no options. At that point, it is right that we have the ability to make a decision about our fate. We should be allowed to pass as nature intended without the use of machines keeping us just existing rather than being alive. The heart pumps, the lungs breathe, but the brain function is long gone. Is that life? I think not.

This directive is generally signed at the time that a patient is in a very terminal state, meaning that there are no options for recovery and no procedures or treatments that will affect a cure. A terminal condition as defined by the American Cancer Society is " an irreversible illness that will result in death in the near future, or a state of permanent unconsciousness from which recovery is unlikely. In most states, a terminal illness is one in which the patient will die "shortly" regardless of whether medical treatment is continued" Conditions such as advanced cancers, head injuries, multiple organ failures, or massive heart attacks and strokes would be considered terminal.

So it comes down to this, if a person has exhausted all means of recovery, what have we accomplished holding on to him/her? If they are in pain and we keep them alive either through a respirator, feeding tubes or other artificial means, what is accomplished by their suffering?

If they are beyond all hope, what right do we have to keep them from " going home?" while some may say who are we to play God, I say the same. Who are we to keep someone here by artificial means when it is time for them to move forward?

In every state of this nation there are laws that govern this directive. It is not a simple matter of saying," I Want to die" Here is what it basically states.
I understand DNR means that if my heart stops beating or if I stop breathing, no medical
procedure to restart breathing or heart functioning will be instituted.
I understand this decision will not prevent me from obtaining other emergency medical care by
pre-hospital emergency medical care personnel and/or medical care directed by a physician
prior to my death.
I understand I may revoke this directive at any time by destroying this form and removing any
"DNR" medallions.
I give permission for this information to be given to the prehospital emergency care personnel,
doctors, nurses or other health personnel as necessary to implement this directive.
I hereby agree to the "Do Not Resuscitate" (DNR) order.

Let's make it clear that at the point that these orders are signed, there is no hope for cure or remission. It does not take our right to live away, it gives us the right to die in dignity and peace, It is a natural way of passing forward. There is a huge difference in that decision and a sucide. There are thousands, including my husband who have made the decision that they wanted to pass in peace and dignity. And I hope that when my time comes to move forward, those who care for me will afford me the same privilege.

Learn more about this author, Linda White.
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