No , I didn't see ER Thursday night (never got in to the show , but , I have
always have wanted to since it begun).  I guess , after reading Brian's
original post made me think of the right to die movement.  I thought of
committing suicide for many years. . .  Every thought I had was suicidal.
:((( BUT , then, I found this ListServ and others like this and found out
there are other people that are suffering with similar problems as me and
they are smart too.  I'm not saying that I don't think of suicide anymore ,
but , it has gotten a lot better and farther and farther apart.:)))  I'm
sometimes viewed as retarded , too , but , actually I'm as smart as a tack
as I graduated from a vocational school with a double major.

Kathy






----- Original Message -----
From: Brian Peaceman <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, April 07, 2000 10:26 AM
Subject: ER of 4/6


> Just wondering if anyone else saw last night's episode of ER regarding the
> treatment of the young lady who had multiple disabilities including mental
> retardation.  While I recognise that ER is not entirely based in fact I do
> believe that this situation echos the feelings of the majority of the
medical
> establishment.  The woman presented with a non-life threating infection
> requiring a central line and antibiotics.  Most of the doctors and her
> "guardian" write her off saying that she is better off dead anyway.  I ask
> who are we to place a value or devalue on human life regardless of how
severe
> one's disability is?  As a person with moderately severe CP I am sometimes
> viewed as retarded yet I graduted cum laude from college.  Often doctors
> disregard my needs, wants, and desires.  One of the ways that I combat
this
> is by finding doctors who are truly sensative to my needs.  This is not
> always possible as emergencies do arise.  I am just interested in hearing
> others thoughts regarding this issue.
>
> BRIAN
>