Our Amazing Will To Live

The 49th anniversary of Roe v Wade has just taken place. There were “Marches for Life” all around the country. Then there were rallies by those who favor abortion celebrating that fateful court decision.

Even if you do not believe that Moses brought down the tablets from the mountain commanding, “Thou shalt not kill”, it is written on our hearts. Saying anything differently doesn’t make it so.

These events started me thinking of the value of life. So many families are dealing with loved ones infected with Covid and I am hearing many sad stories. These families are realizing how truly precious life is when it seems to be in jeopardy.

I think I told you that I sponsored a bill, “No Patient Left Alone” a few months ago. It passed and the Governor signed it into law. I introduced the bill after hearing from families about their loved ones dying alone or suffering without the family being able to visit. I thought the bill solved at least part of the problem. Not.

I am spending a large part of my time right now, trying to help families maneuver a health system and be allowed to visit their family members during this crisis. Many hospitals are continuing a path as if the bill never became law. They are still denying visitation in many cases. One family member told me they were told, they could visit if they would sign a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) order. I’m trying to get that verified. If true, that is so wrong. They are also not allowed to try certain treatment protocols prescribed by doctors outside of the hospital. These family members are grasping at any chance to save their loved one.

When the bill was being debated, there were concerns about emergencies happening when facilities would need to lock down. One of the scenarios used was if there were an active shooter on campus, they needed to have the authority to shut down. We gave a little wiggle room and it has been used to circumvent the law.

Most of the cases, in which I have intervened, families were eventually allowed to visit. It shouldn’t have to be that way. When we are back in session, I intend to strengthen the law and do all I can so that families don’t have to jump through hoops to be allowed to visit. It’s very frustrating.

These times have reminded me of how precious life is and how our instinct is to fight for survival. When faced with whether to live or die, the instinct for survival is very powerful. Many of those in hospitals are on ventilators and chances aren’t good but they continue to fight for life. Their families do as well.

I can’t help but think back to years ago and the Terri Schiavo Story. I don’t know how many remember it, but I remember it well. It had a lasting effect on me. I remember the heartbreak of that tragic event.

Terri had suffered brain damage and was severely disabled. She had lived in this condition for a few years. She had a feeding tube but could breathe on her own. Her husband decided she wouldn’t want to live like that and asked for the feeding tube to be removed. I don’t remember all of the details but her parents disagreed and sued to stop this from happening. The court battle lasted for years with many appeals.

I remember the pain as her parents pleaded for her life. The lawyer for Terris’ husband, Michael Schiavo, talked about her pending death as if it were a cruise down the lazy river. He said that starvation was not painful and even described it as “euphoric.”

I watched in horror, day in and day out, as her life slipped away. I wondered if this was the country where we are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights, among them life.

Many people felt so helpless as we heard a judge declare that her feeding tube could not be reinserted. I was shocked as I watched her parents being searched to make certain they didn’t attempt to give her water, as they visited.

Terri was a living, human being with parents who loved her and wanted to care for her. I remember thinking what kind of society allows this to happen? She had committed no crime. I’m willing to wage a bet that if she had committed a heinous crime, these same people would never have allowed her to be put to death.

It made no difference to me who you believed in this situation. She was a person, disabled as she was, her right to life was fundamental. She wasn’t able to let us know her wishes, and so her fate was in the hands of the man who wanted her dead. There is something sick about that to me.

This case created awareness of living wills and encouraged us all to make sure that our wishes are known. Most polls show that a majority would not want to be kept alive. It’s easy to say that when there’s no decision at the moment but not so simple when the time comes. When one is diagnosed with a terminal illness, most will fight for life to continue as long as possible. It’s a powerful instinct.

My prayer list is getting longer and longer as I hear from more families who are fighting for the life of a loved one. We keep hearing that the death rate for Covid is low and most will survive without problems. If you’re healthy, you’re likely to roll along. But I am hearing from way too many families who are losing loved ones everyday. Pray this will end soon.