Dearest Yvonne,

Please know that you and Joanne have been very special for me in the
last few weeks.  I can only put into inadequate language my deep respect
and appreciation of you, who you are, and the good you do.

You've even brought me to review, embrace, and accept my parent's
reality in raising the kid through several decades from the 1940's: an
unexpected trick for this old dog.

The poem is from my heart as my mind that morning could find words.  It
is yours.  I am grateful that you noted and welcomed what love and
comfort I could offer.

If you believe the poem will touch others, please feel free to share.

Tons of hugs,

Steve

-----Original Message-----
From: Cerebral Palsy List On Behalf Of Yvonne Craig
Sent: Friday, November 03, 2000 5:17 PM
Subject: Re: Thoughts on the Latimer case - a parent'sperspective

First of all I'm sorry I couldn't post more this week.  As many
realized, =
my original post was very difficult to write. It is difficult to even =
think about this subject most of the time... and this week has been a =
tough one for me, missing Jo-Jo.

Thank you for all the supportive and thoughtful responses to my original
=
post.

Joanne - thanks for your words in response to Michael's post. You "know"
=
me well!  :-)

Steve - the poem is lovely. You touched my heart. May I share it with =
others? I belong to a list for parents who have lost their children who
=
had special needs. The poem captures well our experience.

>>> [log in to unmask] 11/03/00 06:01AM >>>
I also think that those of us who are disabled, should not profess to
know
all. Lets face it, I did not need a feeding tube, i didn't have
seizures,<s=
nip> I guess what I'm saying is that unless we were physically
there with Tracy we don't know what Tracy went thru. >>>>>>>>


Mag - you have said here what I was trying to say. I wish there HAD been
=
another way. I wish Tracey were still alive. But if she were , I would =
want her to be happy and comfortable. Or BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS
=
HAPPENING TO HER.  I wish that for my Joey as well. If someone is so =
cognitively impaired that they cannot comprehend their pain or
suffering, =
doesn't that change things? Aren't the persons best qualified to make =
decisions for such children their LOVING parents? IMHO, I believe the =
Latimers loved their daughter. I believe her death was an act of mercy
and =
compassion. The Canadian Justice system thus far agrees (in terms of the
=
leniency of sentencing, etc.) Again, I never had to make this choice in
=
our situation, but I don't know what I might have done after 5, 10 or 15
=
years of watching him suffer. What if I knew I was dying or could no =
longer care for him? =20

<<<<<<<There is A difference between murder and puling the plug.>>>>>>>

Yes, and ther's a difference between murder and euthanasia; and "pulling
=
the plug" and letting go.


Life-at-all-costs is not always the best or only option. Nor is death =
always a bad thing. Death with Dignity can be a beautiful transition.
Just =
my opinion.

Yvonne