Life and Death at the mercy of others??

"SC rejects plea for mercy killing of Aruna", is the news item that has caused a lot of discussion in media, of late. At the same time, "The court however held that passive euthanasia is permissible under supervision of law in exceptional circumstances but active euthanasia is not permitted under the law. They now want a new law on this complex issue." Keeping aside the courts and laws, see how complex the issue of Mercy killing is, if you look at an individual level. Both the groups, that support and oppose euthanasia add a phrase “humanitarian concern” to their argument. Is not it strange and sad as well?

My connection with this issue would have not been this emotional, if my Dad were still healthy and alive. The way we lost him recently and pain we underwent when he passed away prompted to bring out my feelings. He lived in a state of coma for 10 days before having his last breath. In those 10 days, he just survived with the help of life support system. Seeing a caring father and a great humanist who is loved not just by family and friends, but everyone around him, in an unconscious state, without senses is THE worst pain I can ever feel. Though the doctors started ruling out the possibility of his becoming normal from day one, we were always hoping and confident that he will come out of it. Later, a doctor felt that he might go into a “Permanent Vegetative State (PVS)” if at all he starts breathing on his own. But he did not enter that state instead had a peaceful death. Even life support system could not save him more than that.

When he was in hospital, everyday we used to go to hospital, stand near him, call him, touch him and even cry in front of him. But he never responded or reacted. Even though he was in coma but not PVS, as a lay man, I feel not much difference will be there between both the states. Of course, doctors may have their own medical science definitions for both. Through the interaction with doctors during that time, I understood that a person living in “Permanent Vegetative State” can only breathe on his own. That person has to completely depend on others for any other things.

After experiencing the pain and observing my family members undergoing trauma, I can clearly tell that there can not be universal or global solution to this kind of cases. As we do not know what actually goes on in the brain of such a person, we have to analyze the psychological, social and economic impact on the people around that person. It varies from case to case. So, psychological, physical, social and financial strength of the people who take care of him decides everything. If they have strength to bear the pain silently everyday, if they can manage finances to make sure that the person’s health and hygiene are well maintained, absolutely the person can be allowed to continue living in the same state. If that becomes impossible, I will again tell, it will be a family decision.

But our love and affection for a person will not let us to lose him/her, even if that person is in PVS. We will try our level best to see that the person lives among us. So, I have a wild imagination. In case the families can not support such persons, I wish there can be homes run by charity organizations, where they can be looked after as long as they live. The families and friends can visit them whenever they want. They may no longer work hard for family, enjoy music, drive, smoke or drink, but it is the gratitude we can show to something that runs in all of us, that is, HUMANITY. My emotions say this is possible but my logical side asks “Tell me how?”. I do not have an answer.

Whatever it might be, one thing is for sure. Though doctors say that people in PVS will not know anything happened/ happening around them, it is still really painful and very depressing to know that both their life and death will be at the mercy of others. :-(