Further news following this decision shows that death is not necesssarily
the only way for Mr Rossiter to deal with his disability. See relevant links
here: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/08/15/2656963.htm
Erik Leipoldt
----- Original Message -----
From: "Erik Leipoldt" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, August 14, 2009 3:14 PM
Subject: Withdrawal of treatment in Perth
Quadriplegic Mr Christian Rossiter won the right in the Western Australian
Supreme Court, on an application by the nursing home in which he lives, to
refuse being fed through a tube (PEG).
See various links here:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/08/14/2656334.htm
I look forward to reading the judgment and what explorations the court made
to ascertain whether Mr Rossiter is receiving optimal care to minimise pain
and other discomfort, and maximise his social supports. Is he clinically
depressed? Of course his feelings about his situation are eminently
understandable but what deeper issues may underlie his requests to die?
Of interest were the comments made by the WA Premier, in a radio interview,
where he is "against the taking of life", but he supports "people being
helped on their way", where this is left to family and the doctors. He
resents any bureaucracy arising from any euthanasia legislation (soon
another euthanasia Bill will be introduced again in the WA Parliament by a
Greens Member) taking such decisions away from such parties.
This entire "debate" shows once again what an incoherent, knee-jerk,
un-nuanced public fear-driven approach continues to be applied to
end-of-life decision making. And how people with disabilities remain highly
vulnerable in that mess.
Erik
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