Earl.Appleby@hnews.fidonet.org (Earl Appleby) (01/31/91)
Index Number: 13260 In his recent message to me, Frank Whitney quotes my message to Pandora Nigh: >>Me: Let me get this through your head for once and for all. For the >> Appleby's there is no kind of life, only life, a gift from God. As >> my brother Dwight [now in Desert Shield...], now Desert Storm >> says, "He's the same Dad. He has the same soul." FW> If your father would have been able to have had a say in the FW> situation I wonder what his views would have been. Frank, as you might imagine, this was a question that was asked of my Mom, my brother, my sister, and I on numerous occasions throughout my Dad's nearly 10 years of life in coma. Generally, it was thrown at us by some anti-life doctor when they were trying to push us or split our family in pursuit of their objective to kill my father. This type of M.D. (merchant of death) assumes he knows the answer in advance because everyone in coma wants to be starved to death, all "handicapped" people live half lives, etc., etc. I'm sure you know this kind of bigot. Interestingly enough, when my Dad was recovering from his first bout with cancer, he made a tape opposing a euthanasia bill in our NH state legislature. We had it in my father's hospital room during his last hospitalization when they were running a Saddam Hussein operation on us for standing by him. Out of ten doctors involved in his case, guess how many would spend the 8 minutes to listen to what my father's wishes actually were? (Mind you they'd spend a half an hour at a clip trying to convince us to throw the dirt on him as if he was already in his grave.) Hint: the number times 1,000,000 is still the same...That's right zero! I brought a printed transcript of my father's testimony. Guess how many would take it to read at their leisure? Same question--same answer! Come to think of it the professional politicos in the legislature didn't want to listen either. Dad was struggling for each breath so soon after surgery and each time the tape would pause they were ready to gavel him down. After my father's testimony, they passed a rule disallowing any further tape testimony. (I consider it one of many tributes paid my father's living witness for life.) However, if anyone on this echo has 8 minutes and the interest to listen with an open mind, I would be pleased to send him/her a copy of the tape or the transcript. I can be reached here or at CURE... My sympathies to your mother and you, Frank, on the loss of your father. Earl ... Where there's life, there's hope. (CURE: 304-258-LIFE) -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!Earl.Appleby Internet: Earl.Appleby@hnews.fidonet.org
Frank.Whitney@f1000.n261.z1.fidonet.org (Frank Whitney) (02/01/91)
Index Number: 13333 >However, if anyone on this echo has 8 minutes and the interest to listen >with an open mind, I would be pleased to send him/her a copy of the tape >or the transcript. I can be reached here or at CURE... I have no wish to listen to your father's tape. I am disappointed in the medical profession in that they tried to persuade you to do something that both you and apparently your father didn't want to do. My point was that I would like to have the right to make my own decision. I have no quarrel with you or your father's wishes. Thank you for expression your sympathies on the death of my father. Best to you and your family. Frank. -- Via Opus Msg Kit v1.11 -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!261!1000!Frank.Whitney Internet: Frank.Whitney@f1000.n261.z1.fidonet.org
Earl.Appleby@hnews.fidonet.org (Earl Appleby) (02/09/91)
Index Number: 13616
BK> Earl, I thought that was quite a message about your dad. I think
BK> I'd like to hear his thoughts. If I gave you my address would you
BK> let me hear it?
Of course, Bill. Your interest is apreciated. Unfortunately our
experience with the physicians "caring" for my Dad was typical of most
of the families we work with. You may recall the old parable about the
wedding party, when the groom went out to the highways and byways to
invite his guests. That's the way it is with CURE. We don't spend
lot of time trying to "convert" doctors and NO time trying to persuade
politicians. We try to get our message to the people, which isn't easy
with a hostile media, etc., but it's worth it. I wish you could see
some of the letters we receive or share the telephone conversations we
have with families on the frontlines encouraged just to know they have
one friend who cares. Of course, it's not enough, but with God's help,
it's a start.
BK> PEACE IS STILL WORTH PRAYING FOR
It always is, Bill, but never more worthwhile than in time of war. We
pray for my brother, Dwight, and his comrades every day, as we pray
for all the Agape crew and the entire ABLE gang.
Thanks again for "writing." Praying for Nadine,
Earl
... CURE cares! (CURE: 304-258-LIFE)
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* Origin: The Handicap News, Shelton CT (1-203-337-1607) (141/420)
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