Alonzo
02-04-2008, 06:41 PM
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Judie Brown, president of American Life League, released the following statement concerning an order by Delaware Court of Chancery Master Sam Glasscockon to give guardianship of Lauren Richardson to her mother, who wants to remove Laurens feeding tube.
Lauren is 23 years of age and, due to a heroin overdose, is now in a persistent vegetative state. At the time of the overdose, Lauren was expecting the birth of her baby and reports indicate that she was kept alive to allow her to give birth, which she did in February of last year. Her daughter is now about to celebrate her first birthday, but Lauren may never have another birthday.
Of interest is the fact that, during the pregnancy, Lauren relied on feeding tubes and a breathing machine to keep her alive. Today Lauren has a feeding tube only. But there is a struggle going on regarding whether or not Lauren will live or die.
Laurens case is more than a sad commentary on the plight of a family battling over what each of the opponents believes would be in her best interest. Her story is a testimony to the growing philosophy in this country that some, because of their condition, are better off dead than alive.
Like Terri Schiavo before her, Lauren is not dying nor is she in a terminal condition. She has been diagnosed as someone in a persistent vegetative state, someone who is very much alive but locked in her body and unable to express her desires to anyone. The only thing Lauren is relying on is a feeding tube without which she will starve to death. Laurens mother, who is Laurens guardian, wants the feeding tube removed while Laurens father is fighting to keep Lauren alive.
This family is in our prayers. We hope that, in the interest of respecting Laurens dignity as a human being whose future improvement or lack thereof is known only to God, the court will listen carefully to those who argue in favor of Laurens right to life. It is a tragedy beyond description when any human beings fate rests solely on the subjective opinion of others, some of whom truly believe that patients like Lauren have no quality of life and therefore are better off dead.
SOURCE American Life League
http://news.yahoo.com/s/usnw/20080201/pl_usnw/american_life_league__do_not_remove_lauren___s_fee ding_tube
Can't these people leave this decision to families? I think the mother and father are a little more informed of the situation than they are.
Honestly though, if I were the judge, I'd look at the history of the parents and see who was closer to her. If it was equal, or I could not decide, I'd probably give guardianship to whoever wanted to carry out what doctors believed was best.
Lauren is 23 years of age and, due to a heroin overdose, is now in a persistent vegetative state. At the time of the overdose, Lauren was expecting the birth of her baby and reports indicate that she was kept alive to allow her to give birth, which she did in February of last year. Her daughter is now about to celebrate her first birthday, but Lauren may never have another birthday.
Of interest is the fact that, during the pregnancy, Lauren relied on feeding tubes and a breathing machine to keep her alive. Today Lauren has a feeding tube only. But there is a struggle going on regarding whether or not Lauren will live or die.
Laurens case is more than a sad commentary on the plight of a family battling over what each of the opponents believes would be in her best interest. Her story is a testimony to the growing philosophy in this country that some, because of their condition, are better off dead than alive.
Like Terri Schiavo before her, Lauren is not dying nor is she in a terminal condition. She has been diagnosed as someone in a persistent vegetative state, someone who is very much alive but locked in her body and unable to express her desires to anyone. The only thing Lauren is relying on is a feeding tube without which she will starve to death. Laurens mother, who is Laurens guardian, wants the feeding tube removed while Laurens father is fighting to keep Lauren alive.
This family is in our prayers. We hope that, in the interest of respecting Laurens dignity as a human being whose future improvement or lack thereof is known only to God, the court will listen carefully to those who argue in favor of Laurens right to life. It is a tragedy beyond description when any human beings fate rests solely on the subjective opinion of others, some of whom truly believe that patients like Lauren have no quality of life and therefore are better off dead.
SOURCE American Life League
http://news.yahoo.com/s/usnw/20080201/pl_usnw/american_life_league__do_not_remove_lauren___s_fee ding_tube
Can't these people leave this decision to families? I think the mother and father are a little more informed of the situation than they are.
Honestly though, if I were the judge, I'd look at the history of the parents and see who was closer to her. If it was equal, or I could not decide, I'd probably give guardianship to whoever wanted to carry out what doctors believed was best.