Don't be the Next Terri Schiavo
Published March 31, 2005
In light of the Terry Schiavo situation I've come to realize that the one thing I really don't want to see right before I pass into the great beyond is the grim specter of Jesse Jackson hovering ghoulishly by my bedside.
As I see it the only way to avoid that fate worse even than the fate-worse-than-death of being kept alive as a vegetable, is to make sure that I make a clean, quick and final exit before the vultures can gather.
Short of the psychic manifestation of an outraged ghost, it seems like the most practical way to do this is to make damned sure that you have a Living Will. So now I've got one and you should get one too.
After much searching on the net, I found a number of sources for Living Will forms and sample living wills, but the problem with a generic form is that what constitutes a legal Living Will varies a great deal from state to state, though mostly the requirements are pretty simple.
By far the best place to set up your Living Will online - because it's free, comprehensive, easy to use and has versions for all the states - is legaldocs.com. They'll ask you the basic initial questions then provide you with a nice printable form which you can print, finish filling out and then have signed by the number of witnesses required by your state. Another site worth checking out is MedLawPlus.com which will create your living will for a small fee, but much more valuable is their database of the specific state by state requirements for your living will. I'd use them for general info and go to Legaldocs.com for creating the actual form for free. Note that all of these forms include multiple options as far as what you stipulate should happen to you, whether your preference is for a clean exit or as much advanced care and extreme measures as they can pull out of the medical bag of tricks or somewhere inbetween.
Now, just as all these sites say, I'm not a lawyer and none of this constitutes legal advice and I don't endorse any of these forms or websites. However, not wanting to be the next celebrity vegetable, I now have a nice Living Will courtesy of legaldocs.com and that's the best endorsement I can give in my non-lawyerly way.
Dave
Dave Nalle has been a magazine editor, freelance writer, capitol hill staffer, game designer and taught college history for many years. He is a Liberty Republican and former Libertarian. He now designs fonts for a living and lives with his family and pets just outside Austin. You can find his writings on politics and culture at Republic of Dave and works on designs and fonts at The Scriptorium.
- Don't be the Next Terri Schiavo
- Published: March 31, 2005
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- Section: Culture
- Writer: Dave Nalle
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Thanks, Aaman.
On reflection, I ought to stress something that I didn't perhaps make enough of in the article. You don't just need a Living Willl if you want to be unplugged with dignity and avoid the Terri Schiavo outcome. You also need to fill one out if you con't want some over-zealous doctor to convince your family to write you off prematurely. These forms let you specify exactly how much work you want done to keep you alive, and what you define 'life' as.
Dave
Suzi Orman said on Larry King that living wills are outdated nowadays, that what is needed is advanced directives and the designated proxy.
As far as I can tell those are both elements of a Living Will. The advanced directives specify what procedures you do and don't want, and the designated proxy says who you want to make decisions which aren't specified. Living Wills include both of those.
Dave
Terry Schiavo has passed today at around 9 AM. This sad saga has been over played for sure. Mostly because of the controversial topic and rampid mis-information about Terry's condition. Who really knows what the truth of her condition was. My hope is that she is finally at peace now. I think the controversy will not end here though. This will cause division for time to come. The biggest question is , is it a good thing to end someones life in an act of mercy? This is the real question here.
...make sure that I make a clean, quick and final exit before the vultures can gather
Interesting how the Hunter S. Thompson method has quietly faded into the background in favor of filing a legal document...
I am dealing with some of this now in my own family. Advanced Directives, Do Not Resusitate Orders (DNR) and Designated Proxies (with Durable Power of Attorney (DPA) should be set up for anyone who may be terminally ill and has the possibility of not being able to articulate their wishes clearly for medical reasons.
Living Will is one TYPE of Advanced Directive and is also recommended but as stated in the above posts need to reflect the constraints found in each State.
Great post..
DrPat sez...
*Interesting how the Hunter S. Thompson method has quietly faded into the background in favor of filing a legal document...*
will you have my cyberbabies?...such offspring could conquer the Multiverse...
but i digress...
thanx Dave , for the Info...
you heard it here first, gentle Readers...Dave and gonzo in total Agreement on this one...
run..don't walk...and get yerself one of these things filled out the way YOU want to, after discussing it with your loved ones...then have it Notarized...and stash it, with copies scattered everywhere...especially with your lawyer or safety deposit box, etc...
just remember the number one Rule, Ladles and Jellyspoons...
"prior planning prevents piss poor performance"
nuff said?
Excelsior!
The form is fairly short. I recommend a permanent tattoo on your chest, gonzo.
Dave
Dave sez..
*The form is fairly short. I recommend a permanent tattoo on your chest, gonzo.*
but Dave..i dislike needles..so i tattoo'd it backwards on my lawyers forehead..
hope that will do...
Excelsior!
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Much appreciated, Dave - no legalese and succinct.