Questions and Answers on the Will to Live

There is a lot of talk these days about signing Living Wills. Warning: many so-called Living Wills have some fine print (or even implied meanings!) that would surprise you, and may cost you your life.

A Will to Live document, on the other hand, is designed to let you advise against experimental or "extraordinary" treatment, without running the risk of winding up being starved to death by some doctor who has bought into the 'quality of life' philosophy, and may not have your grit or optimism. (Obviously, he doesn't have as much at stake in the decision, either.)

Sadly, so many people are perplexed about all the fuss over Terri Schiavo precisely because in some medical circles starving people to death has become an accepted procedure and denying treatment to the disabled is commonplace. And the courts in many states are used to backing them up. But we do it all the time, I don't see what the big deal is...

Please check out the Will to Live program at National Right to Life (title link).