In recent weeks the media has been ablaze with the story of a young woman named Brittany Maynard.
Maynard, 29, was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor at the beginning of this year. In the spring when Maynard was given less than six months to live, she and her husband made the decision to relocate from their home state of California to Oregon, one of only five states that recognizes Death with Dignity. This is an end-of-life option for mentally competent, terminally ill patients with a prognosis of six months or less. Basically, Maynard could get a prescription from a physician to accelerate her dying process if it became unbearable. Sadly, the process did become unbearable, and Maynard ended her own life through Death with Dignity on Saturday, Nov. 1.
Because of the nature and sensitivity of the subject, we at The Pacer have chosen not to take a stand on the issue of Death with Dignity. We have, however, chosen to speak out on the importance of young adults having a living will or other advanced directive.
Living wills or advanced directives are written, legal instructions regarding your preferences for medical care if you are unable to make decisions for yourself.
These documents advise doctors or caregivers if you’re terminally ill, seriously injured, in a coma, in the late stages of dementia or near the end of life. These options are not just for older adults. End-of-life situations can happen at any age, so it is important that even young adults have living wills. We have a staff member who experienced a possible end-of-life emergency at only 23 without having a living will in place. Fortunately, the proper decisions were made and she miraculously made a full recovery.
Living wills can help you be prepared if something were to happen. They can help ensure that you receive the care that you want and can even lessen confusion or disagreements among loved ones during what would already be an emotional and stressful time.
We don’t know if Brittany Maynard had a living will. Her life ended on Saturday and we won’t debate the terms under which she chose to die.
We will simply end with a call to action, urging all who read this to consider getting a living will.
