" Rare" as in the refusal to come to terms with it for whatever reason. Religious, like in NJ, or denial or otherwise.
Gotcha. :seeya:
But then don't you think this case could set the precedence as to when "enough is enough"? Coming to terms with death and going through the grieving process - aka "accepting"- comes at different times for each and every person suffering the loss of a loved one.
But "we" as a society have entrusted our medical professionals (with all of their background and research) to KNOW when death (as medically defined) has come.
Religion can't play a part in when death is decided as then you're opening up each and every person to decide when their loved one has died and setting the precedence that the family has final rights to do what they will with what has medically been declared a corpse.
That is where (IMO) the dignity piece comes in.
I will be the FIRST to admit that I honest to God could see myself in this mothers shoes. My grandfather was murdered when I was 5 (shot in the head during a robbery) and as a result I have severe reactions to accepting death. I remember conversations in that hospital room of when he was declared dead. I remember my Grandmother literally dropping to her knees screaming in agony when they told her he was brain dead.
At 5 I had no concept of what that meant. In my 5 year old mind, he was FINE. What I saw was him breathing, heart beating, etc. so I remember crying and telling my family to not allow them to "let him die".
With that being said, there WERE family members (his children, my mother included) who HAD to take the reigns and literally force my Grandmother to accept that he would NEVER want to be kept alive artificially if he was not going to possibly live a quality life.
In having conversations about this case with my husband he and my other family members KNOW how I would be. However, they have all assured me that they wouldn't allow this to happen. My husband said to me "I would PHYSICALLY remove you from the hospital if I had to, have you sedated, and sign what I had to to ensure my children die a dignified and peaceful (as much as possible) death". He said "we may end up divorced over it, but I'd rather you believe I was the cause of their death than to allow you to psychotically try to extend the inevitable because you couldn't accept that they were gone".
I was literally crying and felt like throwing up. However, as irrational I know I would be, I am so very thankful there are others who COULD make a rational decision should one HAVE to be made. I simply should NOT be allowed to make that type of decision and I accept that.
