For those of you, who’ve shared my thoughts this past year I want to say “thank you”.   From today, my “pen” will fall silent as I take myself elsewhere for another sort of spiritual journey….

All being well, I will return to my desk sometime after November 9th…..

I write the time, as well as the date, when my entry is penned very early in the morning, because I am a “morning person”.   I am at my most reflective time of the day,  so to speak.

Today though is not like any other.   Today I am starting a personal journey.   A journey which will take me a world away from computers, hence “Your Say” has been disabled because I will be unable to monitor it from where I’ll be…..I refuse to support the “Viagra” and “download sex industry pics”, which consistently worm their way into any site with a guest book facility.

Please continue to email though should you wish to, for although I will not have access to a computer (!!!) I will answer all correspondence as I can.

According to the Delhi Lama, he states that if you feel discouraged, that can be a source of failure.   You try your best with hope and courage.  

Where my journey is taking me, I’ll need both!   I do feel discouraged at times but then I receive a story such as Ron’s and I feel my vigor and optimism return.  Elsewhere I describe myself as determined (others may say pig headed), acquiring an inner strength that makes me go on and do things that a more “sensible” person would not.

I have been given an opportunity and will grab it, with both hands.   As my definition of “sensible” would.  

Due to circumstances outside my control I will be late arriving Saturday, late morning, Nov 5th, at the Exit Conference, where I hope to meet up with a number of friends who’ve introduced themselves through my web site.

To day, I feel slightly ill (with nervous anticipation).   I am stepping out of my comfort zone, big time.   To day I am taking the first tentative steps of learning anew, from another perspective,  major stuff in how far,  one will go to achieve an end.

Let the journey begin!

————————

PS. My little Finch chick, although unable to walk yet (if he ever will) continues to flutter reasonably happily around the bottom of the aviary have learnt the value of the shelter offered by the tupperware container.  I always knew tupperware had a useful purpose!.

PPS.  Please scroll down and read Ron’s Story.   It makes for a powerful message.   It reinforces the Medical staff’s inability to accept that they are not “God” in their efforts to defy death at any and all costs.   A “negative patient outcome” means that just sometimes the patient is better off and more humanely treated for being allowed to die a hastened death.  

A doctor’s brief is “to do no harm”.   If the psychological trauma brought about by ongoing unsuccessful and unnecessary intervention is “not harming” an elderly frail, senile, bed ridden man, then it defies logic what “harm” actually is.   Like Abuse of the Elderly comes under many definitions depending on where one stands on the receiving end of it!! 

How did we lose sight of death “as a natural progression of life”?.   Why do we continue to think that our lives can go on forever?   What Public Relations Company has been employed to dupe society that we can defy death just by willing it “to go away”?  

Because death only takes a holiday, it never leaves us!   Death is fundamental to our existence regardless of how important and indispensable we believe ourselves to be,  in the bigger scheme of living!…..

The article detailed below, in full,  was submitted to me with permission to publish it.  I have made a couple of very minor alterations, all grammatical.    I want to say a sincere thank you to the gentleman concerned in sharing his story outside the family.  From my point of view it encapsulate the very reason why I spend time, money and effort in maintaining activism for legislative change….

Please fellow readers of My Diary, imagine that Ron’s story could be any one of ours.  Our strength is truth, justice, reason, and above all human understanding.   Please lobby Politicians in all States of Australia to help make a difference for others still in Ron’s position,  somewhere in this great country of ours……

The unedited version of Ron’s story is to be found under “Additional – Related Readings” on the drop down menu top bar.   

SET OUT BELOW FOR FAMILY POSTERITY, IN MEMORY OF MY LATE FATHER, IS AN EXPOSE’S OF THE LAST TWO YEARS OF HIS LIFE AND SOME PERSONALLY EXPRESSED CONVICTIONS SUPPORTING END OF LIFE DECISIONS

19/10/2005 

As the consequence of having been a constant visitor to the locally fully occupied nursing homes over an extended period of time, this statement of facts, attempts to cover the last two years of my father’s life that he could have, well done without.   

I would like to commence by airing some personal observations of the need for more respect for autonomy of our prior expressed wishes, either written or un-written concerning our options where end of life decisions are concerned. 

Today in this era of enlightenment, medical advancements and life style changes can prolong life un-necessarily making it possible for the body to go on,  long after all quality of life,  has diminished.  As the result of this life extending medical technology, more people in the future will die in palliative care hospital wards or nursing homes, like my father, often through necessity rather than choice.  This is a reality.  

I have been motivated to compile a brief narrative of my father’s last two declining years of his dysfunctional life which hitherto, had been a  healthy one.  I feel very comfortable in describing his prior life as ” healthy”, for at 93 when initially hospitalized, unlike myself, he was on no medication of any kind, which I found quite remarkable. 

My father died on my 68^th birthday aged 95 which over-shadowed the day.  Like his own father before him who lived to 99 years and seven months, one can only marvel at such an extension of life.  With forward planned birthday arrangements in place, all our family raised their glasses in the drinking of a toast to him at the time of his passing.  Being all relieved for my father’s sake that he was now released from his suffering.  Instinctively,  some may think that we were callous to be celebrating at a time of mourning.  Callous? No!.

• Why do some people find it so difficult to accept that the almost taboo subject of death is part of the natural life cycle and so often to be welcomed by the person concerned, which in my dad’s sad debilitated situation, was certainly the case?.  

It was not long after my mother died at age 89 (a tragic story in itself) that my father, aged  93,  was diagnosed with a slow irregular heart beat which required a pace-maker.  When this was conveyed by the cardiologist, I queried the merit of such a move for one so old.  I asked about battery maintenance but was told that “we put them in at a hundred and as for the battery he won’t be needing it” Whilst this prognosis proved correct, we could not know that this pacemaker would, in the end prolong his suffering – something I wondered about at the time, but never really knew until a few days ago. 

As a returned serviceman and in recognition for services rendered in the line of active duty, he had a veterans gold health card entitlement, which deservingly allowed his $33.000 pace maker implantation.  This procedure was undertaken in a private hospital where-after he was hospitalized for four weeks recovery and convalescence in a private ward at a cost of over $400 per day, with this cost also being borne by Veteran Affairs. 

Upon release from hospital, he was only home a few days when he unfortunately suffered a stroke.  Following this event which we thought may have been exacerbated by the  implant surgery, he was readmitted back to hospital for a further month’s observation and recovery.  Arising from his stroke, it was at this point in time that we found his mind to be regressing into a detached state of dementia.  Upon his release, only one hour after returning home, dad suffered a further stroke thus resulting in immediate re-hospitalization for a further month, with the costs also being carried by Veteran Affairs 

To their credit this clearly indicates the recognition and respect extended to our aged returned service men/women for their war efforts. 

During this hospitalization the “Aged Care Assessment Team” – (A.C.A.T.) arranged for him to spend a short time in respite care in a nursing home and where- after he received a government funded bed in the same establishment.  During the next few months of settling into his new found surrounds,  and as we’d feared most, one night he had a major fall, which predictable enough resulted in a broken hip 

With it being the weekend and his hip requiring immediate surgery he was admitted to the local community hospital where the surgeons operated via necessity and inserted a prosthetic hip replacement.  

 Following the hip replacement, dad had “a turn”  whereupon a team of doctors went into action, reviving and stabilized him after which he spent a full month of recovery on strong antibiotics. Being confused and demented his recovery became a problem for the staff who were endeavouring to get him back on his feet, but by now he had sadly forgotten how to walk.

However,  during this recovery period and in his absence, the nursing home not expecting him to return, had given his bed with another patient. This in-turn required A.C.A.T. to find him another placement which following some delay, meant a different nursing home. This inconvenience  necessitated the resubmitting of further paper work,  along with the transferring of his bond money.  

After settling into his new found second nursing home, his surgical scar began to ooze pus which was diagnosed as a golden staff infection.  As we are all aware, once infected by golden staff, it is wise to be ever vigil lest it should recur, which it did. 

We feel , with absence of mind and frailty of body and totally dependant requiring  high care of the under resourced nursing home, the infection manifested itself because of initial neglect.  It was immediately arranged for his G.P. to examine him which resulted in dad again being placed on a further regime of three different types of strong antibiotics that continued for an extended period of time. 

The infection continued to reappear when medication ceased..  With his normal G.P away, following seven months infection time, the regular nursing home doctor upon examining him, directed he be readmitted to the community hospital for in-house care.  The consulting orthopaedic specialising surgeon, expressed a wish he’d seen him seven months earlier.  After consultation it was decided that it was best to re-operate and remove the prosthetic hip joint.  After removing the prosthetic which left only skin and muscle joining the leg to his hip and internally cleaning the infected area, a further regime of strong antibiotics was commenced which necessitated a further four weeks in hospital. 

Interestingly enough,  it belatedly came to our attention that my father by being a gold card holder which entitles him to private cover, resulted in the State government community hospital billing Veteran Affairs for all his prosthetic surgery and subsequent hospital care.  Upon his return to the nursing home a mobile medical service, visited daily to intravenously administer his powerful antibiotics.  After a week he was taken off injections and placed on oral dosage for a further extended period of time.  

With every available bed in all nursing homes occupied by demand outstripping supply, prompts one to take an over the horizon look at what the situation will be in the not too distant future.   For example, when the baby boomers, who in many instances are presently playing a caring role with their own parents, start to come on stream.  

In speaking to a nursing home person, it was quietly indicated that the nursing home was fast becoming used by the Health Care System as a palliative care institution by virtue of the fact that so many die within six to eight weeks of being admitted.  

With the wonderers of modern medicine having run out of miracles for so many irreversible ill and in reflecting upon what could best be described as the dying industry I will continuing with my father’s story. 

When visiting, he always had socks on and unknown to us, a small split in the skin had developed on the top of his big toe which we suspect was also initially neglected. This later developed into a small ulcer which required daily dressing, but his toe was turning black and upon regular enquiry, were advised it was,  in fact,  improving.  However behind this lay the seeds of destruction.  Upon examination,  the doctor found the toe, obviously gangrenous,  and made immediate arrangements for dad to be re- hospitalized for treatment.  With the Queensland Health System on its knees due to lack of doctors, beds and nursing staff,  he was admitted and discharged within eight hours and returned to the nursing home with a script for antibiotics.  

In light of this and when considering his predicament, we arranged for him to see a vascular surgeon, the following Wednesday.   As a result, it was subsequently revealed that due to the lack of circulation, he had but two options – have the leg off above the knee or settle for palliation to ease his suffering as the gangrene took its toll. 

All concerned suggested that amputation was the way to go,  as palliation would over-stretch the resources of the nursing home due to the constant dressing, coupled with the fact that the antibiotics would only arrest the spread of the gangrene for a short while. With dad not comprehending the gravity of the situation and in leaving us with limited options, arrangements were made for the amputation to take place within a week  

However, two days later on the Friday, dad suffered a stroke and whilst initially considered not serious, later proved an incorrect diagnosis.  Around 8pm that night the nursing home phoned to advise that he was dying.  In going straight up to see him, it became patiently obvious that his life was now over and in dealing with the reality of the situation it was tacitly agreed by the family that nature should take its course.  After an extraordinary long life, this timely event, now eliminated the need for his pending unwanted but necessary surgery.  

• Upon engaging the sister-in-charge and doctor and learning of the nature of the expected  dying process, I instinctively enquired if anything could be humanly done to elevate the  unwanted extended dying ordeal, that would provide a more merciful path to the same end.   Predictably enough, I was advised that this was not permissible until such times as politicians enact changes to the existing law.

•   As explained and as a shocking revelation, the dying process involved,  allowing him to die via starvation and dehydration which can take up to a week in many instances, with morphine to be administered on an as required basis every six hours for any obvious pain.

•  To me this became a reality check and with patients like dad and others like him not able to communicate, how does one know if he/she is being given too little or too much morphine, thereby unwittingly aggravating their suffering.

  With our humanity turning inhumane, I privately thought that if it were myself lying there dying in this undignified state of unwanted exist, I would want a death equal to that provided by law for of our suffering pets.  As a Queenslander, this would place me on equal terms with the Queensland Law that decrees cruelty to animals an indictable offence, thereby attracting a fine of up to $75.000 for allowing a sick animal to knowing suffer. 

Confronted by this blatant hypocrisy in this supposed era of liberalized enlightenment, I left the nursing home feeling angry at how this is all our Health and Legal system has to offer by way of merciful respect and compassion to the dying.  Along with so many others tragic cases, the aged care health system has, via political apathy failed my father in his time of most need for a desired assisted quick painless  death.  Its obvious by this political disconnection that the only rights dying people have, is the right to live and the right to suffer and politicians should be pilloried for their in-action. 

With what is plainly questionable, but obviously lawfully accepted established practice going on in all Aged Care Institutions, is that the terminally ill are being forced to die in undignified, inhumane circumstances over an unnecessary absurd protracted period of time which is bordering on the macabre, to say the least.  

As I later learnt, after being with dad twenty minutes before he expired but with the disturbing spectra of his gasping, laboring breathing whilst drowning in the infected fluid in his own lungs was just too much and I freely admit finding myself having to walk away in disgust.  I have heard it said that there is nothing worse than watching a person struggling to live but conversely as I have experienced, it feels as equally upsetting to watch a terminally ill person fighting to die.  

Dad was a veteran, from the second world war who fought in the jungles of New Guinea against the advancing Japanese, along side so many who made the supreme sacrifice.  In believing that his and the effort of all those around him were to protect our nation and its freedoms, there was a natural, but misguided expectation on his behalf that these freedoms would extend to autonomous end of life decisions and confidentially between patient and doctor, but this unfortunately was not so. 

Regarding dads funeral arrangements, it came to pass that even in death when dealing with the funeral people who were well aware of dad’s extended dying ordeal, were well versed in creating a facade that deceptively paved over the imperfections in the system. In being all about how it looks, the funeral people diplomatically suggested that the funeral notice should read “that dad passed away peacefully after a short illness”.  Such deceptive wording, in funeral notices, ostensibly hides the reality of so many horrendous deaths from the public at large.  

In consideration of the above, it is disappointing to note how our outdated Criminal Code covering the assisted suicide law decrees it murder to compassionately assist somebody suffering with a terminally illness and of sound mind who voluntary requests assistance in their hour of need. 

The Encyclopaedia Britannica defines Murder – “as to kill with malice”.  However I feel it pertinent to amplify that assisted dying hardly fits this definition as no malice is intended or involved.  Sometimes in the public interest, questionable government criteria and regressive oblique laws needs to be challenged and changed, a paradigm of which has been outlined above. 

A past article in The Courier Mail dated 2^nd June 1993 headed “Live or Let Die” reports how the Voluntary Euthanasia Society of Queensland – (V.E.S.Q.) made a submission to the Q’ld Government of the day for a change to The Criminal Code to decriminalize the “Assisted Suicide Law”.  That submission also quoted Justice Michael Kirby as the then Chairman of The Australian Law Reform Commission in 1984 and now a Justice of The High Court of Australia, stated verbatim as follows.  “Although terminal patients do not desire death, they are forced to confront it.  Accordingly they should be free to choose between a slow debilitating painful death and a quick painless one for which they must look to others to assist them” Contrary to this pragmatic and humane compassionate view, coming from a noted member of the highest judiciary, twenty one years later as the result of paralysed politicians, assisted dying is still a criminal offence and classed as murder, thus still attracting a possible penalty of up to 14 years imprisonment. 

I would like to conclude by reflecting on how difficult it is for all of us to enter this world, but it surely does not have be this way when we leave.  It should not be a case of when we die but rather how we arrive at that final point and in all too many instances, unnecessary cruel lingering deaths are not heaven sent but man made.

Ron

Decision made, I went and reassessed in a dispassionate manner the possibilities afforded my little chicks…In the end I drowned the weakest one…I hated doing it, but it is done now and I feel the bird’s freedom in death was worth my discomfort at having decided to take its life…. Not God….but I, took the life.  So human beings do have the ability to take a life and I did not seek God’s permission to do so……It is a humbling experience and no one would deny the importance of such a momentous use of power over one living thing by another…..

I suppose some would say it is only a bird and that a human life is more precious…but that depends on whether you happen to be the bird or the human!…..that it is somehow different when it is non human…

Athough even humans are now more dispensable,  than ever before in history….depending on your religion, your culture, your birth country…..life is very cheap if you happen to disagree with a proportion of the major “powers” in the world….  Once, in Colonial Days, & Early America  it used to be that some humans were only suitable to act as servants to a more superior “culture”…These days, it is a much more serious case,  of how easily a life can be snuffed out,  because one happens to disagree with the politics of the day.

We fight so hard to save one life in Australia of a terminally ill person who wants and is ready to die, yet treat the life of a five year old Palestinian, as disposable in the an ongoing grab for land.   It has been said that we motor up the medicine just as someone is running down.   We can’t acknowledge that we’ve lost the art of dying gracefully.

When a few soldiers die,  of a particular nationality,  it makes news around the world, when 50,000 citizens die elsewhere, it barely rates a mention in the evening news,  in a consumer driven society.   We spend more time selling “soap powder” that we do is discussing how to bring peace and stability to the  world at large.

In fairness to common sense no one really has to wonder why the world is in crisis mode with “terrorists” under the bed at every turn.   There is only a limit to what people who perceive themselves to be  “down trodden”  will ensure,  before they turn and fight, just as a cornered dog would do.  Even a dog will bite the hand that feeds them, if their fear is sufficient!  …….

And because, less sophisticated societies, don’t necessarily,  have might – they’ll use stealth!  

But – back to my birds……The fourth chick is at last realizing the value of Tupperware and is using its cover to advantage.   It seems more alert today but is having trouble “walking” and tends to tumble around the base of the aviary.  

I do hope it does survive…..Like doctors hovering over the terminally ill, I can make the choice to allow it a degree of pain free existence, in the name of compassion, but it does require me to extend myself and do something I personally find unpleasant…..Not easy, but the right decision always requires a strength of character to put oneself in the place of the other.  How would I feel if the roles were reversed?  I never doubt what I would want when there is no light at the end of the tunnel.

Three out of four chicks, dead, reminds me of the child mortality rate., in Africa, by the age of five.

Governments’ attitudes to those less fortunate throughout the world, must change.

We can start by encouraging all people regardless of their culture, as being born in the image of God, as we are taught by the Religious Right to practice what they preach and set the standards by their own example.   Spitting in the face of Muslim women in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia…is not done by a fellow Muslim, but some other person who believes they are superior to sit in Judgement of their fellow human being.  

“Do Unto Others as You Would Have Them Do to You” may be a motto worth considering, my friends

As a child I used to cringe and bless myself when anyone blasphemed by saying “Jesus Christ” in anger.   Today I cringe for my Government’s political commitment to work with other countries to impose our views on another country by invasion.

October 7 entry in my diary asks?

What sort of bird am I?    The short answer is, one,  on a journey of discovery.

I am in a quandary.   One of my many interests involve the keeping of aviary birds.  Starting with four finches I quickly acquired eighteen due to the five star accommodation provided.  Even when I leave a door open, by accident or design,  the little darlings just sit and wait for me to realise.   They know when they’re onto a good thing!…..I’m the only woman I know who gets up in a thunder storm to check the aviary is fully protected from the weather.   The blankets go on at night and the water spray comes out on hot days…..They love it!.

But, I have a moral dilemma….The current chicks are doing quite badly in that they persistently fall from the nesting box from a great height for very small birds….despite my numerous attempts to re bed them with the parents, they just fall again….the first one died quickly by drowning in the 1 inch of water in a dish on the base of the aviary…fell in head first and was too weak to move I’d think….the second chick had a more grisly end with the dog mauling it through the wire..

The aviary was furnished before birds were introduced and the set up is not conductive to human interference with many inaccessible points.  Short of dismantling it, I can’t easily fix the problem now.

So I fenced everything around the aviary to keep the dogs away which was just as well,  because yet another two chicks have fallen.  Now they’ve been down on the ground these twenty four hours…I’ve set a nest on the floor in an old tupperware container…..I don’t think they’re going to survive….mum and dad have stopped hovering!…They are the cutest little faced birds…with big black eyes and nice dark brown down…cuddling together for warmth, no doubt.  Too young to understand the protection of cover they consistently flutter away when my hand tries to put them there.

I know I should dispatch them quickly perhaps by drowning them…I want to give them every chance of recovery…but nothing I do is good enough for the task…..They’re too young, too helpless, too shocked, too alone!….I watch their little breast heave with the exertion of living and I equate those little birds with how many in our society are living today!…

Waiting for the inevitable death without hope or relief!   What to do?   I should put my actions where my mouth is and relieve them of their exhaustion and, no doubt, pain from thirst, starvation. neglect, unloved and unwanted by those in the rest of the bird community within the aviary….

I know now what I have to do…..not because I actually “want to”…but because it is what I would want for myself.

They may “only” be birds, but to die like a dog is better than the way many of we humans die.  There are worse ways of dying than drowning….and there are better ways!

I listened to a friend on mine telling me how annoying it was for her to have people quote what some one else could achieve at a right, or is that “ripe”  old age:

For example did you know?

Titian was painting masterpieces at 98

Pablo Casals was conducting at 94

Frank Lloyd Wright was building the Guggenheim at 91

Albert Schweitzer was operating in his African hospital at 89

Toscanini was conducting at 85

Edison was working in his laboratory at 84

Geothe completed Faust at 80

George Burns won his first Oscar at 80

And then, there are the rest us……..Some children live a life by the age of six,   Six or sixty six….It doesn’t really matter what age we live to,  as long as we live the best life that we can,  for the time given to us.

With new technology, society needs to comprehend  that it is the value of the years that we live, not the quantity.   To acknowledge that people do die is not to be seen as a “medical failure”.   Because dying is the natural way and will not be denied, regardless of the drugs, tests, surgery, blood test, scans, feeding tubes……Applying life saving technology at the end of life can make for a miserable death…..

Life will not go on forever – so it is smart of us to get used to the idea of dying.   Whether it be six or sixty six remember it will happen eventually.

My friend would like others, such as family members to realise that each person does what they can, with the abilities that health conditions permit.    A ninety year old may be able to hang out the washing, when a sixty year old,  cannot.    It is not because the ninety yo is more worthy, than the sixty yo.  Physical capabilities that allow this to happen.

It is very important that people are considered as individuals and not judged according to their neigbours…..Be kind to your parents.

They’ll bless your compassion for their inability to meet the standard set by the proliferation of hype,  that currently doesn’t allow the elderly to slow down and grow old with dignity….. We can’t all be dynamos in retirement.  Some of us, are quite frankly very tired of living……Not all of us want to travel, or have the inclination to participate in group initiatives. 

Many of us write letters to politicians and others,  making decisions in our society without the courtesy of a response to our overtures.   We write about all manner of social issues but rarely do we receive a considered response which reflects a positive feeling of being a worthwhile contributor to our society.   Yet when we want to leave this same society with choice and dignity all of a sudden, our life becomes so much more “valuable”.  We must continue to live on,  regardless of the fact, that many couldn’t care less about our opinions,  feelings and emotions as an individual.

Intensive Care Units should not be resuscitating 75 year old people to be returned to a nursing home existence, unless specifically requested by the individual.  The fear of litigation could be easily avoided by changing legislation to acknowledge a person’s legal right to choice and dignity in dying by honoring their written authority “Do Not Resuscitate”.  

Live and let die……..it should be choice

Today I am energised like the “hype” would want me to be……but next week, next month, my circumstances may change and I will join my friend in needing space to just be quiet and rest, and be treated with the dignity that old age should bring….She shouldn’t have to worry that she will die alone and in great pain because there is no choice for a hastened death, at a time of her choosing,  surrounded by her loved ones.

I repeat children, please be kind and patient with your parents….one day you too,  may walk in their shoes (or slippers!)  Don’t be like someone else I knew who had so many regrets about the misunderstandings with their parents, that ageing does seriously affects one’s ability to cope with even the simplest tasks.

AUSTRALIANS all let us recoil

for we have no idea!

We go to war for wealth and oil,

Our home is girt by fear

Ben Pearson, Belgrave, Melbourne, Australia

Published under “and another thing” in the September Melbourne Age

I have just spent a considerable time copying an article reproduced from New Internationalist June 2005, Health & Migration – The Facts. Please read the article under “Additional – Related Readings”. Of particular interest, perhaps, to Health Workers.

In the concept that my website is very much about choice and dignity in dying, I was appalled by this article which again demonstrates the world’s attitude to the “have” and the “have nots”. Perhaps if the Western world didn’t seduce and encourage the poorer countries of the world to give up their doctors and nurses and the financial “flow on” benefits to already rich countries, we wouldn’t have a world, in crisis today.

Could Western societies consider just occasionally that if we have less, others may have more?. We waste more on frivolous nonsense in medicine than an entire nation in Africa, can spend on their children’s life and death struggles. Forget the boobs, facelifts, tummy tucks, and penis enlargements! Prioritize!

When already poor countries give up their educated people to other places, already rich in education, water, food and mechanization. How greedy do we want to become? And how many of these countries would purport to be “Christians”, loving and caring, and so full of compassion!. How many religious hospitals are staffed by health workers “seduced” away from where they are really needed?

We have to ask ourselves which is the better use of limited resources (Health Workers), keeping fat, “ugly” Westerners “beautiful” with expensive cosmetic surgery utilizing valuable staff (and medicines and equipment) on unnecessary stuff, or keeping a baby alive that could have lived a fulfilling life if only there was someone available to save them. Anyone who watched RPA (Royal Prince Alfred Hospital TV Documentary Drama) operating on Safari (the African boy burnt very badly) will understand my sense of values on the important issues in life.

There are many people throughout the world that would willingly die sooner because of their medical situation in life that would place valuable medical resources back into the world community to allow those in the poorer countries to live a better life. The Agent Orange devastation in Vietnam is a classic case in question. The West left their poisons for the local community to deal with. Many making the decision at that time, no doubt, went on to become magnificent examples of upstanding “Christianity” in their own countries back home.

If one is going to preach the “Word of God”, one should be the first living example of its value. Love and Compassion should not just relate if you happen to be a white, blue eyed, fair haired European!…. After all, Jesus Christ was a Middle Eastern Jew, with dark skin, brown eyes and black hair! Closer in “color” to the community of New Orleans than Canberra!

If cosmetic surgery was banned tomorrow, just imagine how many less medical staff would be required in the West, thereby freeing up doctors and nurses to stay in their homelands and give back to the community that educated them in the first place. As for the money sent back to these countries by the medical staff working abroad. If they had a healthy community, the opportunities for financial advancement would follow.

Voluntary euthanasia is never an issue in the “poor” countries because the people don’t survive past their first serious illness, due to lack of trained medical staff. Old age is a non event. I read somewhere that in Afghanistan a man lives on average to about 46 – 50 years old.

Wealthy Western countries lure Health Workers away from where they are really needed by their own local communities.

In addition, if people in the West, for who Choice is wanted, were given the opportunity to die quickly, with dignity with the option of a peaceful pill, just imagine how many less staff would be needed to maintain bodies that are already decaying dramatically through terminal and chronic illness, and age.

Imagine how many staff would not be needed in the very rich countries, freeing up valuable resources to stay at home and help all the “Safaris” of this world.

No matter how badly off we are in Australia, staffing hospitals, we will never be as worse off, as the best hospital in Africa (and similar societies).

——————–

The other day, I remarked to a friend, that as a small child I would watch a huntsman spider desperately seeking a way off the burning log I’d thrown on the fire and not help it to survive.   (In any case, pulling a burning log out of the big open fire was a “no no” under any circumstances).   She was horrified with me, saying that even a ant has the right to life, but  acknowledges,  for herself she is a strong advocate for VE.   Whilst I respect her right to “protect an ant”, I’m afraid my sentiments are not that good, and snails are dispatched with a can of beer supplied in the trap on a regular basis.  Their choice is to die happy, while intoxicated.   If it could just be so easy for humans.

I once had a neighbor in St Kilda, who nearly killed himself (accidentally) with a bottle of Slivovitz (Old Plum Brandy) which is 40% proof.  There are meant to be 22 glasses to a bottle but he knocked it over in a day!!   It took a week to recover. 

He was a professional painter who painted the house he rented.  The owner then promptly gave him notice, and moved in himself!….the Bastard!……(the two incidents were not connected and I share the latter only because it was another lesson learned,  in life).

Anyone watch A Current Affair last night?  where a lady, (Leonie?) who fell under a reversing bus received an infringement notice, of $50, for walking behind it.  She was actually caught in under the bus and badly bruised and shaken (as one would be!).   The bus driver was fined $300 and lost three demerit points off his licence for “careless driving”.  How he is meant to see a 5′4″ woman behind a bloody big bus is a valid question, I’d think?.   One would like to think that accidents as such, are still allowed to occur without malice of forethought on either of the parties be imposed!  As a result of the infringement notice being served, Leonie’s medical costs will not be covered by the bus company’s insurance!!!!   The over zealous policeman had “a bob each way” on this case.   Are we as a society, not getting just too stupid for words?

I had always thought that a fast bus was just what was needed in lieu of the absence of a peaceful pill!!!!  Perhaps a slow backing bus and two bottles of Slivovitz will have to do….   What we need desperately is a little humor in life!

Thought for the Day:  Pay as much attention to the things that are working positively in your life as you do to those that are giving you trouble.

Please read message no 143 under “Your Say” that gives another couple of favorite songs which didn’t make the Top Ten, but must have been No 11 & 12 on reflection!….I have already been threatened with Frank Sinatra’s,  I Did it My Way.  My family think it is the “only way”????

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Perhaps this gives me an opportunity to point out that I do get many more items under “Your Say” but many are deleted because of the inappropriate sentiments expressed and, please understand,  I am not an advertising agent for various dubious websites.   I’m sure you’ll know the type I mean.   In addition, all foreign language messages are deleted because I don’t know what they say.  Some I can guess of course, but err on the side of caution.    I am assuming that if you enter an English speaking website to the degree you can find “Your Say”, then English may be expected as the chosen language of communication.  I ask, pretty please, respect the intent of the site.

I received a copy overnight of this submission, to a third party,  and thought it very relevant to the situation that many of our frail elderly find themselves in.   Having asked to post it in my diary,  because I wanted to share it with you, I have deleted the lady’s name and address for privacy reasons.  Her comprehensive analysis of Abuse of the Elderly,  demonstrates age does not translate into stupidity.   Governments, I suggest,  could learn a lot just by listening to the Elderly. 

And I quote:

Not being an educated professional person within the field. I am unable to enter a submission in the format that you have set out

My only qualification is being within the age bracket of being elderly, not by age but by being now disabled and deteriorating further. Some observations within the circle of people I have been in contact with may be of use for further discussion.

I also refer you to the excellent SBS “Insight” documentary Sep 20th, (available on line) indicating the need for more discussion and awareness of the aging process and how it affects the family.

Abuse of the Elderly falls within the same field as other social issues ignored and accepted for centuries, now crying out for reform: ie, domestic violence, sexual abuse of children, homosexuality to name a few. Education within society of the aging process will need the same marketing impact. Fortunately many thinking elders and documentary filmmakers are contributing both positive and reality aspects of this issue, which has been lost from our modern culture.

Our health system and technology prolonged my mobility. First from car accident injuries 25 years ago, then from an attack from some drug addicts one evening while walking my dog in Surrey Hills. Within a year I became Arthritic and the damage to the original injury resulted in a hip replacement and later both knees were reconstructed. I am very grateful that those procedures enabled me to support my children.

Until last year, I was still able to attend U3A classes, and continued with mature age studies, I had never considered my self “old”, as a single parent I had been independent. At age 70 while waiting for the second knee reconstruction, my body no longer responded as I had assumed it would. Recovery was slower. Suddenly life changed, and I had become frail elderly.

Financial & Dependency Abuse
Later age marriages, also make grand-parenting years a more vulnerable time in our lives, often coinciding with marriage difficulties, and the need to adjust family living arrangements.
Each family will have a story, which creates tension, frustration and some in-compatibility within the personalities, which prevent honest open communication between parties. Loyalty and trust in a family unit is often compromised as people try to save a difficult relationship, often resulting in financial abuse of a parent. This has many faces eg: gambling, over commitment for housing, credit cards to name a few. Fortunately when my son and I purchased a joint property, the legal financial matters were in place before his marriage took place, and there are no children. Our home was safe, but the financial burden is still being counted. We also had access to resources and skills to enable us to ride the storm until the emotional issues became clearer. This scenario is a very common one.

Education and Awareness Abuse
It is only now, I often say, ” I am sorry Mum/Pop/ or who ever, I did not understand or hear what you were saying”….. I thought I knew what needed to be achieved within my limited allocation of time. The current generation is cramming even more into the 24-hour day than we did. Recently I copied the whole chapter ” Three Score Years and Ten” from Sherwin Nuland’s book ” How We Die” for a dedicated 49year old health worker who was frustrated by her 76 year old Italian mother’s sudden change in behaviour. The education and expectations from the two generations were at odds. My own first reaction to that book was as an observer, twelve years later I realised I was a participant.

Verbal and harassment Abuse
Thankfully activities for older people to lead a healthier life style have come a long way, but it does depend on the overall health of each person. Unfortunately the benchmark does promote the active healthier person in among the advertisements for retirement living for an affluent group. This often causes frustration, as 40 year old can not understand why 74 year old is not being active like the 90-year-old they saw on the TV. This can be acted out as the ability to manage household tasks, hobbies, personality, diminishes for various reasons.
Both generations feel or see the changes but put different labels on the problem.

Today, aged carers who visit homes possibly HEAR and understand more than the immediate family. Unable to voice to the family they are tired of the pain and living they often raise this with the carer, who can only listen and jolly them along for more of the same.

Advance Directives and Choices in Dying.
A contentious issue receiving more coverage in the past few years.

Membership of VESV came for me after my parents died. My objective at that time was for assistance for people dying with a terminal illness.

My mother nursed my father at home for five years as he was dying of lung cancer.
The family assisted her but it took a toll of her own health, four years later she appeared to loose her memory, and began communicating in a language of her own.
Commitment to an institution was suggested as no cause could be found or treatment was available. We resisted that option as she ” knew” what she wanted and could manage household tasks. I became her carer for 13 years.

Fortunately Cat Scans became available and the cause was found to be mini strokes over speech and memory. Her occupation as a carer at the Kingston Centre before her marriage caused her to say ” If ever I get like that, hit me on the head, don’t put me in a nursing home”. This was 1982; options then were very limited. After another stroke it became necessary to find a placement, I am sure she understood where she was and never spoke again after the second day there, dying five months later.

Since the Medical Treatment Act 1988, VESV members have been signing Advance Directives, stating while of sound mind, what their wishes are treatment or non-treatment are.

A growing number of elderly people are now thinking ahead at the options for their own FINAL EXIT and are rejecting the prospect of care in a nursing home, even though care in these facilities has improved in the past forty years. While they are still able to make a choice they are becoming a strong voice for death with dignity, not lingering for 30, 12, 15, or 7 years, being the time relatives or friends of mine either lived? Or are still living?? in care, and these are the extreme cases.

This could be classified as Abuse of the Elderly, when these directives are overridden. Membership of VE organisations and Exit International in Australia keep growing. Questions must be asked why so many senior people world wide are choosing civil disobedience when day to day living has become a burden, or they are conscious of their own changing personality or ability to cope.

At the annual conference on Palliative Care held in Sydney last month, David Currow from Flinders University, used a figure of 80 percent of people knew when death was coming.
That was people diagnosed with a terminal illness, and could use that time to plan how their death could be managed.

I would suggest most elderly people also know that death is coming, some choose to make plans and voice it, others choose to remain silent hoping it will go away and they will just die in their sleep. Only today I heard of a distressed elderly lady who has been asked by her doctor to fill in forms required for her to find and place her name on a waiting list for a nursing home place.

Another Speaker Dr Bill Silvester from Austin Hospital told of the trauma of intensive care staff rushing to save people with machines, where, they then must live for months, or years unable to move, or speak. He made the following statement:

Evidence for that can be found in hospices and aged-care facilities across the nation, where many thousands of patients are being kept alive, in circumstances that are probably cruel, in part because nobody in the family is prepared to make a decision that would hasten their death.

This is not new to members of this Advisory Group, but believe me the general public are very naive as to the extent of the problem, suggesting it is bad parenting, cultural, or religion, to list some of the causes I have heard. My experiences may be rubbish to people working in the field, but at least I am being part of the debate.

Yours Sincerely
JR