Physician Assisted Suicide Case Summary

After a distressing conflict with her family many years ago, Kerewin Holmes decides to dramatically change her lifestyle by isolating herself in a tower from every social force that occurs outside of her walls. While living alone in her tower, she forgets how necessary it is to be with company, but is determined to shield herself even after a boy enters her fortress. The father of the boy, Joe, describes Kerewin after meeting with her on several occurrences by saying she “…[is] covered with flames like knives. And a fierce hidden flame inside it, that sometimes dimmed taking all of the over-lights with it” (Hulme 90). Kerewin realizes how harmful relationships (as symbolized by the flames) can be since they are related to knives. Knives alone

The book was a great read and I couldn’t put it down. I’m willing to bet groupies have been one of the most sexually abused people on earth BEFORE they became groupies as are porn stars and prostitutes. It’s difficult to find a prostitute or porn star who hasn’t been sexually abused and when you are speaking about a high-strung group of very emotionally fragile people you are talking PTSD. I really think PTSD is a form of a nervous breakdown where your defenses are so hammered you can no longer cope. The resulting hormone stress response causes long term brain damage to the hippocampi and amygdala actually changing the sizes of these structures. Now add the epigenetic changes caused by the rush of adrenal corticosteroids bathing the brain

Pt is a 12 y/o African American female presented at NNBHC with dx of ADHD combine type, ODD, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation D/O, Mood D/O, PTSD and Sexual Abuse (victim/ perpetrator), who have been feeling severely depressed and SI. Pt states that she has had SI with a plan to overdose or cut her wrist. Pt is considered high risk due her unsuccessful attempt to commit suicide on 7/5/2015 by taking a handful (unknown quantity) of Clonidine. She was hospitalized at CHKD until she was medially stable, than transferred to Maryview for mental stabilization. Pt states that she is unable to contract for safety at this time, and unsure of what she may do due to her impulsivity. Pt has also have been currently distributing nude pictures to adult males via cell phone. Virginia Beach Police Department is involved with the solicition of child pornography per report from pt mother. Pt have been using explicit communication of sexual acts via text message with males and females. Since 7/5/15 there have been a change in medication Vyvanse 70mg to 30mg. Pt have a hx of becoming verbally aggressive towards hospital staff when medications change. Pt denies any psychosis or paranoid thinking.

The Supreme Court of Canada’s ruling concerning physician-assisted dying in the case of Carter vs. Canada answers the following two questions: 1) Does the current law against physician-assisted dying infringe an individual’s right to life, liberty and security and 2) If the law is a violation of this right, is this violation justified under the Charter of Right’s general limitation clause. The Supreme Court of Canada’s decision on the first question was in the affirmative. The Supreme Court rules that the prohibition of physician assisted dying is void because it deprives a competent adult of assistance when “(1) the person affected clearly consents to the termination of life; and (2) the person has a grievous and irremediable medical condition

"Who Owns the Right to Die?", authored by Miranda Barbuzzi, lays out an argument about the legal status of euthanasia and assisted suicide in Canada. Barbuzzi pulls the reader in by examining the controversial and long-contentious topic of assisted suicide and euthanasia. She does this by exploring primarily ethos (ethical/moral aspects), pathos, and logos (logical arguments) through current court findings and appeals in the Canadian court system. She further explores the legal issues through the Netherlands that aids to the authors credibility and further defines her argument. The article compels the reader to absorb and weigh her findings.

According to Paul J. van der Wal et al. in ¨Euthanasia, Physician-Assisted Suicide, and Other Medical Practices Involving the End of Life in the Netherlands, 1990–1995¨, he addresses that assisted suicide should be legal and regulated. The authors’ purpose of writing this journal article is to make reliable estimates of euthanasia; to describe patients and physicians, and to evaluate changes between 1990 and 1995. Even though assisted suicide is a growing taboo, it is being practiced more each and every day. Paul J. van der Wal et al. chose to conduct two studies to answer their hypotheses.

Vicki D Lachman, the president of the V.L. Associates, is a nationally renowned author of hundreds of publications and of over three thousand presentations. The major topics of Dr. Lachman’s work are based on leadership, moral courage, and a strong emphasis on ethics. The 35 years of her career began with a BSN and graduate degree in psychiatric nursing, a doctoral degree in education, and a masters in Bioethics. While deepening her understanding of the health care field she also served as a trustee on the board of the; Chestnut Hill Hospital, Cape Regional Medical Center, and the American Nurses Association Center for Ethics and Human Rights Advisory Board. Before retiring as a Clinical Professor at Drexel University her third book Ethical

Petitioners in this case are the State of Washington and its Attorney General. Respondents Harold Glucksberg, Abigail Halperin, Thomas A. Preston, and Peter Shalit, are medical physicians who practice in the State of Washington, along with three gravely ill, pseudonymous plaintiffs who have since died and the non-profit organization that counsel people considering physician-assisted suicide, Compassion in Dying, sued in the United States District Court, seeking a declaration that Wash Rev. Code 9A.36.060(1) (1994) was unconstitutional. Washington vs. Glucksberg, 521 U.S. 702 (1997). The Washington State statute provided a person was guilty of the felony of promoting a suicide attempt when the person knowingly caused or aided another person

The Canadian justice system is supposed to be neutral, fair, objective, and impartial. However, we can see that this is not the reality but rather often times it can be oppressive, constraining, and enforces discriminatory legislation or policies that directly or indirectly works to target certain groups of people. This is especially evident when we look at the criminal laws which criminalize non-able-bodied and terminally ill individuals, who seek out assistance in dying because they feel that their life is no longer worth living, and as a result takes away their dignity and right to autonomy. The decriminalization of physician-assisted suicide is fundamental in order to achieve and maintain the equality, autonomy, and dignity of all individuals.

A. There is no fundamental liberty that promotes the idea of a legal right to die.

Imagine suffering day to day with consistent hospital visits, numerous medications, and unbearable pain for the next six months of your life, then being told that dying peacefully is not a granted privilege. Then imagine not being able to die in a controlled and dignified process like you prefer to. How would that affect the way you feel about death and the rest of your life you have left? Millions of people suffering from terminal illnesses consider physician-assisted suicide, but their wishes are rejected due to state and government beliefs. In fact, only five states out of fifty have a law permitting citizens the right to participate in physician-assisted suicide. That leaves just only 10% of the United States entitling critically ill patients to die with nobility. However, many citizens are commencing to lean toward physician-assisted suicides once they ascertain they hold a terminal illness.

Voluntary Euthanasia has been considered a controversial topic for many decades. The idea of committing an act that involves the taking of human life is not one that many people would care to discuss openly. The main argument is that a person who has been diagnosed with an incurable illness and is in extreme pain and their ability to move has been limited, while that person still has control over their destiney should they be allowed take their own life (Bowie, R.2001). The worldwide debate weather one should be allowed to end a life is still one of the biggest ethical issues. The attempt to providing the rights of the individual is in conflict with the moral values of society. Voluntary Euthanasia has been highly rejected by many religious and pro-life institutions.

Physician-assisted suicide should be legal nationwide. As a former hospital employee, I know first-hand that some diseases can cause so much disability and pain that patients want to end their lives because they have had enough. Something dear to me is personal autonomy, a right of all people. If the patient is competent and wants to end their life, and a health care provider is willing to humanely help end that patient's life, then physician-assisted suicide should be legal and be performed, per the individual's wishes.

The lack of consensus; thereof, in American society on the ethical question of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide could be attributed solely to the incredibly complexity and gravity of the issue. Therefore, in this study I will suggest, explore, and discuss that part of the ethical problem with euthanasia is under what circumstances, if any,

The “Right to Die” (Euthanasia) should be further looked into as an option for terminally ill patients and not considered unethical. There has been an issue concerning the topic of “Human Euthanasia” as an acceptable action in society. The research compiled in conjunction with an educated opinion will be the basis for the argument for voluntary Euthanasia in this paper. Patients suffering from an incurable illness, exhausting all medical treatments, should be given the freedom of choice to continue their path of suffering or end it at their own will. “The Right to die” is not suicide, as you are fully aware that death will be certain, as Euthanasia spares the individual of additional pain.