Much Ado About Veterans “End-Of-Life” Booklet

by Joel Hendon⁽¹⁷⁹⁾ Red Star

http://hebronics.org/index.html

A booklet which was being issued to veterans returning from the Iraq war entitled “Your Life, Your Choices” which was suspended during the Bush administration, then started back under the present Department of Veterans Affairs, is causing some to complain. One former Bush official says it sends a “Hurry Up and Die” message to the veterans.

Jim Towey, a former director of the White House Faith Based Initiatives seems to be the prime mover of the complaints. He wrote an article in the Wall Street Journal concerning the renewed issuance program of the booklet. He said, “When you look at the book it makes people feel like they're a burden and they should do the decent thing and die. ... When a veteran comes back from Iraq, they shouldn't be given a book like this. "

Senator Arlen Spector says it raises a lot of questions and he will call for hearings on the book. He also adds that consideration should be given to suspending issuing the book until the hearings are held.

I have read the book and frankly, I would recommend it to everyone. I don’t know just how fitting it might be considered to give injured and disabled veterans as they return home. But no one forces anyone to read the book and it does nothing to threaten or intimidate anyone. Unless it does upset some men, possibly those who are in constant pain or possibly suffering from some mental disturbance, I see nothing wrong with giving them.

Plain and simple, the book gives excellent details of possible end-of-life scenarios and explains choices one might be inclined to make and explains the circumstances surrounding any of those choices. It recommends to any and all people, not just veterans, that they plan ahead as to their wishes in the event they should ever become terminally ill, and advises them to make their wishes known by a “Living Will”, an “Advanced Directive” or giving some member of the family or a trusted friend, a “Power of Attorney” in matters concerning his medical treatment if he, himself should become unable to do so.

It is actually very excellent advice and very informative. It, in no way advises or even suggests that you make this or that decision, but rather that you should make whatever your decision may be, available in writing or by proxy so there is no confusion if you are ever in a permanent coma, or otherwise unable to communicate your preferences.

My wife and I have, long since, prepared our living wills. Neither of us desire to have our lives extended by artificial methods when it becomes obvious that we will no longer have any quality of life. That is not to say we approve of euthanasia or assisted suicide, but to prolong suffering of a person and their families, not even considering the enormous expense which can be incurred, being allowed to die naturally seems both moral and humane. There are many who no doubt disagree wit me on that, and everyone has such a right. However, the advice in this booklet does not infer in any way that you should choose the preference which we have made. You may choose to be treated as long as they can keep you breathing, but you are advised to let that be known before you become unable to choose.

Discussing death with others, family, doctors, or just friends, can be distasteful to some, and I understand that. But it is a certain reality and much anguish can be avoided if we face it and plan for it. It is coming. The book is available online for anyone interested in reading it and can be found at: http://www1.va.gov/pugetsound/docs/ylyc.pdf

Article submitted Sunday, August 23, 2009 & read 242 times.

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