Euthanasia
We talk of life as if it is under our control. From young, we are faced with the question of "what do you want to be when you grow up?" We assume that that happens. Later in life, we start thinking of the future, we plan for a family etc etc, All these on the assumption that life goes on. the truth is, we all want to live. Self preservation. To see our dreams fulfilled. All that planning simply should not go to waste.Sometimes, tragedy can strike. Accidents or diseases which can rob your quality of life. I have always been fascinated by the story of HM, who having had a part of is brain removed, can never form new memories. He is an aging man stuck in the mind of someone in his 20s. And i often wonder, what kind of life is that?
How about someone suffering from early onset Alzheimer's disease. That person is simply a living organic mass without a sense of self, a sense of time or in fact a sense of anything at all. This isn't life.
I am getting all melancholic and broody because I hate to see my grandmother suffering life. Just because her heart is still beating doesn't mean that she is living. The last time she was honestly lucid was more than 2 years ago, before her stroke. After that, her condition has been deteriorating. She had a 2nd stroke which no one knew because she just wasn't able to communicate. I know my grandmother as a woman with loads of pride. She likes being independent, she likes being useful. even at the age of 80, she insisted on cooking for the family. She takes walks in the park. She waters the plants in the evenings, she climbs the stairs of the 2-storey house to make offerings to her various deities twice a day. etc etc. To see her in such a state pains me. Seriously. And to touch her, its worse. To feel her very fragile bones, so small, so weak, makes me want to crumble. Its depressing. I can't face her without hating life. Without wishing that she should really just go. And then i hate myself for thinking this way though i think its the best for her.
There is no point in having an empty shell, as an excuse for life. Moreover, its a really unhappy shell. Euthanasia, ought to be allowed.
Labels: life
posted by eline @ 6:54 PM
Comments: 0
