SitNews - Stories in the News - Ketchikan, Alaska

Viewpoints: Letters / Opinions

HB 54: A compassionate bill for personal rights and responsibility

By Barbara McDaniel

 

April 18, 2018
Wednesday PM


Re: Letter to the Editor

In life, death at some point is inevitable. While most accept that, many wonder, “Will it be comfortable?” When I was young I would say, “I hope I die in my sleep.” But later as an adult, I found that I no longer needed to settle for simply hoping that I die comfortably. In 1991, the Patient Self-Determination Act established for individuals the opportunity to at least make legal, mitigating plans that will improve our own odds that we won’t die a prolonged, painful, and very expensive death, one that would traumatize us and those who care about us.

In consultation with my children, all adults, I modeled taking responsibility for one’s life (and that includes death) and created my Advanced Directives 16 years ago. Five years later, on my request, my doctor helped me obtain my Certificate of Comfort One Status, the do-not- resuscitate order for emergency or medical personnel. My local hospital has copies of the documents on file. I wear a bracelet. Basic information is always with me. And the best part is my children know what is coming, they know the plan, and they know what to do. We are prepared.

Now I am covered legally in instances of sudden, life-threatening accidents, violence, or physical failures. But I still do not possess the last piece of personal control I need to ensure my access to careful, professional medical assistance in ending my life in the event of a diagnosis of terminal illness. HB 54 is the missing piece I need to complete my personal plan to increase my likelihood of experiencing a comfortable, orderly, dignified death.

I whole-heartedly thank Rep. Drummond for bringing forward this compassionate bill for personal rights and responsibility. I encourage readers to consider the benefit of such preparations and contact their representatives and ask them to support and pass HB54.

Find Alaska’s Advance Directives (Living Will) form at: http://tinyurl.com/y9fg46po For more information and forms for Comfort One visit: http://tinyurl.com/mtkmp24 For information about HB54 visit: http://tinyurl.com/ycob22sk

Barbara McDaniel
Wasilla , Alaska

About: Barbara McDaniel is a lifelong Alaskan who resides in Wasilla.

Editor's Note:

The text of this letter was NOT edited by the SitNews Editor.

 

Received April 16, 2018 - Published April 18, 2018

Related Viewpoint:

letter

 

 

 

Viewpoints - Opinion Letters:

Webmail Your Opinion Letter to the Editor

 

Representations of fact and opinions in letters are solely those of the author.
The opinions of the author do not represent the opinions of Sitnews.

E-mail your letters & opinions to editor@sitnews.us
Your full name, city and state are required for letter publication.

Published letters become the property of SitNews.

SitNews ©2018
Stories In The News
Ketchikan, Alaska

Articles & photographs that appear in SitNews may be protected by copyright and may not be reprinted without written permission from and payment of any required fees to the proper sources.

E-mail your news & photos to editor@sitnews.us

Photographers choosing to submit photographs for publication to SitNews are in doing so granting their permission for publication and for archiving. SitNews does not sell photographs. All requests for purchasing a photograph will be emailed to the photographer.