http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/conte...7/s1914206.htm

Thanks for the link Alffe. Very interesting. I missed the program on the 7th though.

Thanks Alffe

I know of an elderly man out here who ended his life a couple of months ago after suffering a stroke several years ago. He overheard his wife and son talking about placing him in a nursing home. He was a large man, and it was difficult to move him around.

I think our society is screwed up. We consider the elderly a burden and obviously prefer death over old age. Instead, we should cherish our elderly citizens. If it weren't for them, we wouldn't be here. Some possess wisdom we need to hear, others deserve respect and honor just for making it that far in life. It's nature's way of slowing them down so we can gather around and listen to their stories.

Our obsession with youth has gotten out of hand. Gray hair, wrinkles, and age spots are nature's Purple Heart medals. They should be worn with pride.

I suspect the three people mentioned in your link might change their minds down the road. Illness, frailty, and dependence doesn't always mean the end of a rich life. It sounds selfish to measure the value of life based on swimming, dancing, and golf. It sounds cowardly to prefer suicide over the next chapter in life.

Yes, KathyM, they might well change their minds but it's about having the choice to do so. I, personally, would not call their choice a selfish one because I don't like to be judged or to judge.

I loved what you said about "purple hearts"...age spots... but each of us gets to define our lives and the quality of them....it's a "walk in my shoes" kind of thing, as you well know.

Thanks for this, Alffe. It does make you think.

You know I'm against any suicide because of my history and my brother's history.

I'm troubled that anyone thinks that someone who is bed-ridden and cannot move becomes a 'vegetable'.

I don't believe it. I've seen how hard some people fight to live. Like Stepehn Hawking, for instance.

I think *LIFE* is the whole package -- including the struggle at the end.

My Mom made me swear "no nursing home" and "no leg amputation" and "no colostomy" from the time I was 12 years old. I kept most of the promise. But, it was hard. I did consent to the colostomy which ended up being screwed up horrendously. She was a real mess at the end. Makes me wonder if she could predict the future

I don't really think you can plan or predict what will be in the future.

What troubles me the most is the worry that "society" will eventually take on this belief-system "that to be old and disabled is to be useless".

Thanks. Hugs for the room.

Barb

note that it's 4 Corners programme from Australia, not the same as 4 Corners you would have in US.


p.s. moose wrote: "What troubles me the most is the worry that "society" will eventually take on this belief-system "that to be old and disabled is to be useless"

Seems to me that's already happening. I also think that it's very frightening to be old, alone, and disabled. (leaving out the useless bit)