Welcome to the Greenery Land.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

In Brief: "Right to die" woman dies. The Straits Times Mon 11 Jan

Welcome to my blog! I don't know how this blog will evolve over time but I do want my first post to be something news worthy, hopefully, that will make you come back for more.

I want to share with you a news extract from the Straits Times below. This is a recent news and some of you may have chanced upon it. Read on and do pen down your comments.

A South Korean woman taken off life support in a landmark "right to die" case stopped breathing and was declared dead yesterday, nearly seven months after her respirator was removed.

The family of the 77 year old woman - who had been in the vegetable state since suffering brain damage in Febuary 2008 - had sued to force doctors to take her life support. The Supreme court sided with the family and the woman's respirator was removed on June 23.

She had continued breathing on her own after that, and the Severance Hospital continued to feed her fluids and nutritional supplements. Her condition started deteriorating late least month and she died of multiple organ failure yesterday afternoon, hospital spokesman Lee Sung Man said.

To take off or to continue with the life support is controversial. I am happy with the court's decision to remove the life support. My reasons are simple, if the chance of recovery is very slim, why waste all the hard earned money on medical fees. Worse still if the family is poor and has to borrow and stinge to save up for it.

I am not selfish and I am not thinking for the family only but I think this would be what the patient wanted if she was given a choice.

I also think that her family members would make a decision which is in her best interest. As a matter of fact, no one wants to see our family suffer. Furthermore, it is never easy for the family to make such heartwrenching decision.

I can understand why the doctors refused to take off the life support. May be they don't want to be "blamed" for killing the patient or some may not feel right to do it for some religious reasons. Whatever the reason may be, I think they should step into the patient's shoes and decide if what will be the best option for her. I would if I were the doctor.

So much for my views, what is your stand?

Take off or continue with the life support ?

Will be good if you can drop a line or two to share your comments.

Till the next post, hope to hear from you!

5:36 PM

Hi there ! This is my second week in my new school but I have adapted quite well. I am starting to like the life there.

I am turning 13 on the 6th of March. No big bash but my parents will bring me out for a good dinner. Where ? Of course at Swensens. Swensens serves free ice-cream for the birthday boy and I love their ice-cream. Just can't wait for that day to come.

My favourite pastime is SOCCER. I am an ardent Liverpool fan but sad to say, they have been underperforming lately. Nevertheless, I will continue to pray for them. Like any other children, I love to play computer games. I love playing Mouse Hunt and Restaurant City. I got addicted to them after my friends introduced them to me. Now that I am back to school, my mum only allows me to play on Saturday. I also enjoy board games like chess and more vigorous sports like tennis but I am not good at any of them. My parents say "I am a Jack of all trade but master of none."

I enjoy being a leader and my primary school teachers used to comment that I am a natural leader. I was a Monitor in P1, Vice Monitor in P2 and P3 and Prefect from P3 to P6. I am now Chairman of a class and I hope my teacher will give me a chance to be Student Councillor.