I made out my Power of Attorney this evening....

[Dookus]

and sent it to my brother, my boyfriend and my parents. Fuck the republicans who think they can intervene in the most personal and private of decisions.

I encourage everybody else here to do the same ASAP. Regardless of your expressed wishes, they may soon be able to FORCE doctors to keep you alive unless you have it explicitly in writing.

As recently as 1970, doctors could literally tie you down while you were fully conscious and force a feeding tube or ventilator on you against your wishes. We're going back to that.

[Pachamama]

1. I filled one out in my estate planning awhile back...I also have told my

family and friends in numerous emails (which is now official record) that I do NOT want to be kept alive artificially on support and have specifically referred to the Schiavo case and said "are we clear?" about my wishes....In addition to the actual Power of Attorney, I have a living will in my estate/will that very clearly states what I want done, in what circumstances and also my organ donation wishes (including that they can all go to actual recipients to save lives but NOT to any Organ banks (that might "re-sell" or do experiments on).

If any DUers have no will, they can easily download free forms or buy basic legal software for under $50 and then go get it notarized. Can't emphasize how important this is...Many people think they are also worth nothing, so why have a will, but its not always the case and it makes things easier for family and friends during difficult times. But the living will is the key thing if you don't want to end up like Terry Schiavo - regardless of whether you want to be taken off life support or not. Have a voice while you can!

[Generic Guy]

2. I filled out one years ago.

Personally I would prefer to just have them let me die if I am ever in a position where I am in something similar to that Terry Whats her name case. I believe we all should be able to choose our fates in those situations.

[donheld]

3. Do you mean a Living Will?

isn't a "power of attorney" what you file so someone else can sign your personal papers?

[Dookus]

4. It's a document

that gives my designee the power to make decisions should I become incapacitated. The document also spells out my wishes in such a case.

[donheld]

5. Aw now i understand

It's late and i've had a rough day. :crazy:

[Dookus]

6. No worries...

I guess the terms are interchangeable, at least to a layman.

[cornermouse]

7. While this is certainly a good thing to do,

the fact is, if no one is available to tell them at the time, or they don't already have a copy on file at the location, or if someone can't pull one out on demand, or if the tube is inserted at a time when recovery is still believed to be a possibility, they can still do it to you now.

[imenja]

8. how does that differ from a living will?

The law proposed by the Florida legislature would forbid removal or life support without a living will. So giving a family member power of attorney without specifying one's intentions wouldn't be sufficient if this law were upheld by the courts.

Edit: nevermind. I read your response to the other poster.

[DeepModem Mom]

9. kick

[Shakespeare]

10. The complete set of forms is now called an Advance Directive.

I used to work in healthcare law, so this is something I became intimately acquainted with. And it's something EVERYBODY should have.

An Advance Directive encompasses more than just a durable power of attorney for healthcare, and also includes do not resuscitate instructions and what used to be referred to as a living will.

The forms are usually available online from each state's healthcare association, and hospitals and insurance firms also generally have them for the asking.

[bicentennial_baby]

11. I'm only 28 and I'm going to do it

this Schiavo case has opened my eyes...death with dignity for me.

[bobthedrummer]

12. Also there is the matter of the abuse of psychiatry in court ordered

mental commitment and court ordered medications that have often proven to be wrongful medication and/or malpractice cases.

Freedom is on the march.:scared:

[Cleita]

13. I have mine done too, but from what I understand, they can

ignore it if another authority overides it, like a higher court. What a crappy world we are living in with these religious fundamentalists taking over our lives.

[Dookus]

14. yes indeed

the so-called "small-government" conservatives are intent on putting the government into our bedrooms, our bodies and now our death-beds.