Vixen@f11.n203.z1.fidonet.org (Vixen) (06/05/90)
Index Number: 8614
Hi,
I have been silent through all of the discussion concerning
Euthanasia and abortions, but this little experience I have just
come through has prompted me to say something.
First, for the record, most here know that I am Christian, and I am
a fighter and I have seen and survived a great deal of pain, both
my own and that of others.
I have listened quitely as some pretty damned pious postings and
attitudes were passed around concerning Euthanasia and those who
have taken their own lives and those who wonder about it because of
their pain.
I will further state that I do not and never have believed in the
purposeful taking or ending of a life, at least in theory to end a
chronic disease.
However, after my recent experience, I have learned something, and
that is, it pretty damned easy to sit around and talk about how
wrong it is to end our lives because we are so very seriously ill
or in pain and to talk about how wrong it is how "we" would never
do such a thing.
But, it is a whole hell of a lot different when "you" are that
person!! I am here to say, we are all only human, we all have our
own levels of endurance, we, every damn one of us, can be brought
to a breaking point. But how easy, to say "Nay" when "we" are not
in that position!!!
I know that my belief has always been, no matter how bad it gets, I
will not take my own life, it is a sin (in my beliefs) and I am too
strong to ever "give up!"
However, I know what it means to die of the disease I was diagnosed
with, I was a nurse and I know about those patients whose every
breath is a heavy labour and excruciating pain. From my heart, I
will tell you all, I am one tough little bitch, but the death that
was presented before me made me realize that as strong as my
beliefs may be, I am only human and I must say that I do not know
that I could have endured such an ending!
I have to believe that for those whose pain is so great, they
cannot endure, my God has tears and compassion for. I do not
believe for one second, anyone truly wants to end their life, it is
a last resort of desparation. Understand, I am not endorsing
"giving up" or Euthanasia, rather I endorse, compassion,
understanding and non judgemental dialogue.
I will not say here to you all, that I believe or condone
Euthanasia, but I will say that I have come across a little
understanding and I am no longer impressed by all of our big human
talk about this, for this is something one can only know by "being
in that position!" The rest is judgemental without real weight.
Work better done would be to continue to find ways of dealing with painful and
acute illness and leaving our personal theologies and judgements within our
own souls where they belong.
Keepin' the faith!
. Vixen
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!203!11!Vixen
Internet: Vixen@f11.n203.z1.fidonet.orgGary.Warren@f5.n382.z1.fidonet.org (Gary Warren) (06/06/90)
Index Number: 8670
Thanks, Vix! And, let's ALL try to direct our pious and/or other
energies toward the REASONS wwhich lead us to make these painful
choices: bad hospital/nursing home conditions, medical personnel who
have very little respect for the PATIENT'S wishes, lack of funding for
cures or other remedies which at least would help LESSEN one's
suffering, etc.
It's very easy to go after the big bad pro-euthanasia doctor or
relative. It's a lot harder to tackle the CAUSES for such methods.
Again, thanks.
glw :D
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!382!5!Gary.Warren
Internet: Gary.Warren@f5.n382.z1.fidonet.org