There is a need to talk about the inevitable consequence of death. We will not always agree on what to do in such tragic events, yet we do need to start an honest dialogue about what is essentially, the ultimate rite of passage.
What have we learned about life, ethics, and life-sustaining treatments from the Terri Schiavo saga? Surely the biggest lesson derived from the Terri Schiavo case is that of advance care planning and its inclusion in public discourse. Even well-drafted legislation is not always able to deal effectively with the consequences of family feuding motivated by financial, religious, and political considerations. Ultimately it is the healthcare professional’s responsibility to carefully consider the patient’s healthcare wishes and convey them in a clear and timely manner.
The Terri Schiavo case opened the door for discussion of living wills in many homes across America. Husbands and wives began talking over dinner about their own end of life wishes. People were compelled to get their living wills in order and voice their wishes to their loved ones. Though the Terri Schiavo case got Americans talking about important personal issues, it is unfortunate that Terri’s life has been memorialized not by the person she was or her accomplishments, but by her controversial and sad death.
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