[misc.handicap] Living Wills

CREGIER@UPEI.CA (Sharon Cregier) (09/18/90)

Index Number: 10435

With reference to Pat Goltz's discussion on living wills (Handicap
Digest #1214), I would be interested in having a copy of the
Protestant oriented Living Will which was mentioned at the close of
the discussion.

The "Buckingham Report" in Ministries Today (Mar/Apr 1988), p. 20,
had a comment on living wills.  There was a suggestion that without
them, some doctors will keep paitents wired and tubed for months
just to draw fat fees.  Buckingham is not talking suicide or
euthanasia but of the right to refuse medical treatment.  Only a
living will can protect the patient from protracted indignity,
financial devastation, and, in many instances, excruciating,
unrelieved pain.

Living wills are recognised in 41 staates.  The others will
consider it as evidence of a patient's wishes and so ease a
doctor's fear of criminal liability if he abides by the dying
patient's wishes.

Recommended reading is the ACLU's book by John Robertson called The
Rights of the Critically Ill.  $4.95, includes post.  ACLU, 132
West 43rd St, NY, NY 10036.

Free samples of living wills as well as information on durable
powers of attorney are available from

  The Society for the right to Die, 250 West 57th St, NY NY 10107.
  Encl.  a SASE business-size.

Concern for Dying (800) 248-2122 also has some information.

From a Christian perspective, Buckingham recommends John Sherrill,
Mother's Song, published by Chosen Books.  It contains a sample
living will.

Buckingham also recommends that churches appoint someone in the
congregation to compile, distribute, and discuss the information
and issues, making it available for congregational use.