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Showing Original Post only (View all)Mother wins right to end disabled daughter's life [View all]
THIS is what those of us in the disability community are worried about when people are sympathetic to parents who murder their disabled children, and blanket statements about the ethics of others who decide to give birth to children with disabilities.
The ruling sets a precedent as it is the first time a child breathing on their own, not on life support and not suffering from a terminal illness, has been allowed to die.
In her summing up the judge said Charlotte's love for her daughter is apparent and she had "great admiration" for her devotion to Nancy.
"The last day was the hardest of my life. It was absolutely horrifying. I miss my beautiful girl every day and although I know it was the right thing to do, I will never forgive myself. It shouldn't have to be a mother's decision to end their child's life, doctors should be able to take that away from you."
CHARLOTTE FITZMAURICE
http://www.itv.com/news/2014-10-26/mother-wins-right-to-end-disabled-daughters-life/
I find it troubling that it is all about the mother. No one likes to see anyone, especially someone we love experience pain. But, the questions about what kind of pain justifies euthanasia, and how we evaluate the severity should not be answered by a person who has a vested interest in their death or survival. I think that leaving it up to a Dr. presents an even more troubling slippery slope.
This is just another reflection of how entrenched the stigmas and stereotypes regarding people with disabilities are.
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"loved her child so much that she didn't want to see her suffer unnecessarily"
loyalsister
Oct 2014
#8
I knew a young woman who was murdered by her sister who had terminal cancer because there would
jwirr
Oct 2014
#40
The younger sister was developmentally disable and had lived with her older sister most of her life.
jwirr
Oct 2014
#48
When the patient is a minor, it may be that the parents have the power to make such decisions.
NYC_SKP
Oct 2014
#17
I have also seen that - a living will is a good thing to have. Something everyone regardless of age
jwirr
Oct 2014
#41
By what means was she euthanized? Withdrawal of food? Just read the post above me. I hate reading
jwirr
Oct 2014
#3
Yes, so do I. And a very dangerous precident because this parent seems to really have loved her
jwirr
Oct 2014
#39
I'm taking the mum's side on this. Twelve years of agony, it can't have been easy.
NYC_SKP
Oct 2014
#12
Have you heard people suggest that making reproductive decisions for someone else should be policy?
loyalsister
Oct 2014
#21
Well you're certainly a good writer but I hear you regarding family. Come from the same lot.
mackerel
Oct 2014
#34
You may be correct about your own personal circumstances and no one can judge you on that but I
jwirr
Oct 2014
#43
God, I assume you are talking about the eugenics movement of the late 1800s and early 1900s
jwirr
Oct 2014
#42
More detail here (even an interview with the mother that may play for you)
muriel_volestrangler
Oct 2014
#22
I have not doubted the mothers dedication. And this does make it more undertandable.
jwirr
Oct 2014
#45
I have. My daughter is very much like the child in the article and I have faced death situations
jwirr
Oct 2014
#46
Endometriosis was just the tip of the iceberg with my daughter. It was used as one of the examples
jwirr
Oct 2014
#54
I think it's very important to make a distinction between personal belief or preference
nomorenomore08
Oct 2014
#53