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As a side note to Reanna's comment on age - their bodies age 10-15 years faster than a "normal" person's body. The home that I worked at previously had people ranging in age from 40-82 years old - add the 10-15 years and these were some pretty old folks.
I have seen this play out, from the pediatric level and involved families to the geriatric and the family who wishes to have no part in the special individual's life. I can't make the judgement call for someone else ... and I have not had to make such a decision myself. However, my ultimate goal is to help increase the quality of life as much as possible.
My gauge factor is this: I had spinal mengitis as a baby, and was in the hospital for six months. About half way through this period, my parents were told that I would never completely recover, and that if I did, I would persist in a vegatative state, based on my body functions at that time. They could have chosen to cease and just let me slip away .... but 21 years later not only am I NOT in a vegetative state, and though i've got some issues because of all the brain damage ... I am by normal standards an interactive person within our society.
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Calling from deep in the heart, from where the eyes can't see and the ears can't hear, from where the mountain trails end and only love can go... ~~~ Three Rivers Hare Krishna
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