Having an amnio test ruined my life

Bullied into an abortion she bitterly regrets. Her marriage destroyed. How the Down syndrome dilemma every mother dreads tore a family apart. Daily Mail

Cancer's most isolated patients

Cancer's most isolated patients - latimes.com: For decades, the needs of adolescents and young adults with the disease have been slighted. That's beginning to change.

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Ed's Story: It Ain't Over

Ten years ago doctor's diagnosed Ed Dobson with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) and gave him 2-5 years to live, most of which he was told would be in a disabled state. Dobson's journey since then has been one of remembering that life isn't over until it's over and sincerely thanking God for every new morning. Parable

Caregiving and Medical Emergencies

Caregiving and Medical Emergencies - CarePages.com: Caregiving for someone who is seriously or chronically ill is a daunting task, and an emergency can be frightening. Taking steps in advance will help you handle a crisis, should one occur. Here are five to start with.

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Cystic Fibrosis Patients See Significant Results with Adult Stem Cell Therapy

Cystic Fibrosis Patients See Significant Results with Regenocyte Adult Stem Cell Therapy - MarketWatch: Following years of progressive deterioration of this chronic disease, patients see dramatic improvement in their quality of life.

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Euthanasia Spreads in Europe

Euthanasia Spreads in Europe - Wesley J. Smith - National Review Online: Wesley J. Smith spoke at a town-hall event about end-of-life care recently that, "unfortunately, devolved mostly into an intense debate on assisted suicide. When the time came for audience questions, a self-described mentally ill woman took the microphone and strongly declared that she too should have the right to doctor-prescribed death. More than half the audience applauded, validating the woman’s potential suicide."

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What Values Are Important to People With Dementia?

What Values Are Important to People With Dementia?: Loved ones who suffer from mild to moderate dementia and their family caregivers often have different perceptions regarding the amount and quality of care given and received. A study recently examined a major source of those differences: Caregivers may not understand the things that are important to their relatives with dementia.

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Assisted Suicide and Judicial Review

Bradley W. Miller: Assisted Suicide and Judicial Review | UK Constitutional Law Group: Once a court ventures into a morally charged debate such as abortion or assisted suicide, it changes the political dynamic in ways that cannot be anticipated. The possibility of legislative failure has to be borne in mind by any reviewing court.

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Self-perceptions from people with Down syndrome

Self-perceptions from people with Down syndrome - Skotko - 2011 - American Journal of Medical Genetics Part A - Wiley Online Library: Among those surveyed, nearly 99% of people with DS indicated that they were happy with their lives, 97% liked who they are, and 96% liked how they look. Nearly 99% people with DS expressed love for their families, and 97% liked their brothers and sisters. While 86% of people with DS felt they could make friends easily, those with difficulties mostly had isolating living situations. A small percentage expressed sadness about their life. In our qualitative analysis, people with DS encouraged parents to love their babies with DS, mentioning that their own lives were good. They further encouraged healthcare professionals to value them, emphasizing that they share similar hopes and dreams as people without DS. Overall, the overwhelming majority of people with DS surveyed indicate they live happy and fulfilling lives.

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Having a brother or sister with Down syndrome: Perspectives from siblings

Having a brother or sister with Down syndrome: Perspectives from siblings - Skotko - 2011 - American Journal of Medical Genetics Part A - Wiley Online Library: More than 96% of brothers/sisters that responded to the survey indicated that they had affection toward their sibling with DS; and 94% of older siblings expressed feelings of pride. Less than 10% felt embarrassed, and less than 5% expressed a desire to trade their sibling in for another brother or sister without DS. Among older siblings, 88% felt that they were better people because of their siblings with DS, and more than 90% plan to remain involved in their sibling's lives as they become adults. The vast majority of brothers and sisters describe their relationship with their sibling with DS as positive and enhancing.

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Having a son or daughter with Down syndrome: Perspectives from mothers and fathers

Having a son or daughter with Down syndrome: Perspectives from mothers and fathers - Skotko - 2011 - American Journal of Medical Genetics Part A - Wiley Online Library: Of the 2,044 respondents, 99% reported that they love their son or daughter; 97% were proud of them; 79% felt their outlook on life was more positive because of them; 5% felt embarrassed by them; and 4% regretted having them. The parents report that 95% of their sons or daughters without DS have good relationships with their siblings with DS. The overwhelming majority of parents surveyed report that they are happy with their decision to have their child with DS and indicate that their sons and daughters are great sources of love and pride.

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Mock my pants, not my sister

Mock my pants, not my sister: "If my friends who are black were mocked, they would not take it. If my friends who are gay were slurred, they would not take it. My 400,000 fellow Americans with Down syndrome have been cheapened, and I will not take it."

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Long-term care can bankrupt an average family, yet few carry insurance

AGING AMERICA: Long-term care can bankrupt an average family, yet few carry insurance - The Washington Post: Nursing home charges can run more than $200 a day and a home health aide averages $450 a week, usually part-time. Yet Medicare doesn’t cover long-term care, and only about 3 percent of adults have a private policy.

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Is Euthanasia Lobby Already Forcing 'the Hard Choice?'

ZENIT - Is Euthanasia Lobby Already Forcing 'the Hard Choice?': In a number of countries around the world the pro-euthanasia forces continue to press for the legalization of assisted suicide.

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With Class Act’s Failure, Still No Relief in Sight for Long-Term Care

With Class Act’s Failure, Still No Relief in Sight for Long-Term Care - NYTimes.com: The law that many Americans had hoped would transform the nation’s dysfunctional system of long-term care for the swelling ranks of people with disabilities and dementia quietly died this month, a victim of its own weaknesses, a toxic political environment and President Obama’s re-election campaign focus on jobs.

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Preventable life-ending decisions made 'all the time'

Preventable life-ending decisions made 'all the time' (OneNewsNow.com): Last week in Frederick, Maryland, 55-year-old Daniel Sanger's wife and doctors agreed to remove his feeding tubes. He has been in Frederick Memorial Hospital since suffering a heart attack and seizure in July. But six days later, Sanger's mother and brother obtained a court order to restore food and hydration. Now he is responsive.

"What people don't realize is that this happens all the time," laments Bobby Schindler, brother of Terri Schiavo. "Doctors and healthcare professionals are now empowered to take away food and hydration from individuals because food and water via feeding tubes has been defined as medical treatment -- and therefore it makes it rather easy, so to speak, to take this away from people, as we saw here in this case."

But he stresses that food and water do not classify as a medical treatment; instead they are necessary to sustain life. In Sanger's case, the patient's brother is hoping to be granted temporary custody to ensure the protection of his brother's life. But Schindler understands that most people are often confused about how to handle such situations, so he directs them to the Terri Schiavo Life and Hope Network.

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Predicting Death

Arch Intern Med -- Abstract: Predicting Death: An Empirical Evaluation of Predictive Tools for Mortality, October 24, 2011, Siontis et al. 171 (19): 1721: Most tools designed to predict mortality have only modest accuracy, and there is large variability across various diseases and populations.

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Nurses warned they could be jailed for talking about assisted suicide

UK nurses will be warned they face prosecution if they are found to have discussed any aspect of euthanasia with a patient who goes on to commit suicide. The new Royal College of Nursing guidelines remind staff it is illegal to offer information about assisted dying – including contact details for the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland – in case it is seen as ‘encouragement.’ Daily Mail

Obama Administration Seeks to Roll Back Hospital Rules

Obama Administration Seeks to Roll Back Hospital Rules - NYTimes.com: Under the proposals, issued with a view to “impending physician shortages,” it would be easier for hospitals to use “advanced practice nurse practitioners and physician assistants in lieu of higher-paid physicians.” This change alone “could provide immediate savings to hospitals,” the administration said.

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Man Nearly Starved to Death Now Responsive

Man Nearly Starved to Death Like Terri Schiavo Now Responsive | LifeNews.com: Daniel Sanger, is responding to hospital staff after going six days without food and water. Although Sanger told his doctor and his mother “I want to live” before he went unconscious, Frederick Memorial Hospital removed the public-assistance patient from life-giving food, water, and nutrients on Friday with the permission of his wife.

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Death by prenatal screening: how one girl with Down syndrome narrowly escaped

Death by prenatal screening: how one girl with Down syndrome narrowly escaped | LifeSiteNews.com: One month ago a precious girl was born in my hospital with Down Syndrome - a rarity these days, since 90% of these children diagnosed before being born end up in a container of biological waste, something that some people regard as a scientific advance, boasting of their determination and perseverance in filtering people based on their risk of suffering some chromosomal defect.

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The Duty to Die Advances

The Duty to Die Advances | NRL News Today: Is there such a thing as a “duty to die?” Some notable voices in bioethics say, yes. They believe that as a matter of distributive justice, when people reach a certain advanced age, severe disability, or very poor health, they owe it to society, their families—and even themselves—to allow life to (or make it) end.

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Assisted Suicide Advocates Falsely Advertise Suicide as Legal in Hawaii

Pro-Assisted Suicide Advocates Falsely Advertise Suicide as Legal in Hawaii | NRL News Today: Earlier this month, Hawaii Death With Dignity, a group which promotes doctor-prescribed death, held a meeting at their state capital announcing Hawaii was the 4th state to legalize assisted suicide. This is flat-out incorrect on several grounds.

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Study identifies something called the “Down syndrome advantage”

Parents of Down syndrome children divorce less: study (01/11/08): Lower divorce rates in the Down syndrome group may be due in part to what the researchers call the “Down syndrome advantage,” which refers to the personality and behavior of most children with the syndrome and the fact that parents of children with Down syndrome are often older, more educated, and married before having children.

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Survey: Should you have the right to die?

Survey: Should you have the right to die? | LifeSiteNews.com: As part of its plans for an upcoming episode on assisted suicide, The Dr. Oz Show has sported a snazzy survey on the show’s website titled “Should you have the right to die?” The survey puts forward sly socratic-like questions that inevitably lead the participant to affirm that one has the “right to die,” that one’s family should support one’s “right to die,” and that doctors should “assist” in helping patients end their lives.

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Look at this face, and then think about the new blood test to detect Down syndrome

This is Abby. The picture was taken in the emergency room at Marybridge Hospital in Tacoma, Washington. Her blogger mother reports she hadn't slept and she couldn't eat because of her breathing. "You could hear the rattle from her airways from down the hall." But does she look like she's suffering for having Down syndrome? A new survey reports that 99% of people with Down syndrome are happy.

Sadly, their supposed misery is one excuse people use for advocating the new blood test to detect Down syndrome. It will lower the risk of miscarriage, but increase the pressure on parents to abort affected babies. 

Abby's mom tackles this and other excuses on Mostly True Stuff. Less risky test? For whom? Not for babies with Down syndrome!

5 ways to help prevent Alzheimer's

Alzheimer's Disease Prevention - Alzheimer's Center - EverydayHealth.com: Healthy habits that are good for you now have been shown to help prevent Alzheimer's later.

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Notes From a Dragon Mom

Notes From a Dragon Mom - NYTimes.com: Ronan won’t prosper or succeed in the way we have come to understand this term in our culture; he will never walk or say “Mama,” and I will never be a tiger mom. The mothers and fathers of terminally ill children are something else entirely. Our goals are simple and terrible: to help our children live with minimal discomfort and maximum dignity. We will not launch our children into a bright and promising future, but see them into early graves. We will prepare to lose them and then, impossibly, to live on after that gutting loss. This requires a new ferocity, a new way of thinking, a new animal. We are dragon parents: fierce and loyal and loving as hell. Our experiences have taught us how to parent for the here and now, for the sake of parenting, for the humanity implicit in the act itself, though this runs counter to traditional wisdom and advice.

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Living with Dignity conference in NH

The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition is sponsoring a conference on assisted suicide Friday, November 4, at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Nashua, New Hampshire. Details

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Euthanasia advice redefines suffering: Netherlands

Euthanasia advice redefines suffering | Radio Netherlands Worldwide: Under the Euthanasia Act, a request for euthanasia may be honoured only if a patient is undergoing unbearable and lasting suffering. The [Dutch physicians' association] now says that, if non-medical factors such as income or loneliness are to be taken into consideration, other specialists must be consulted when a patient has requested euthanasia.

Commentary from Wesley J. Smith

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Expose the "terminal spin of 'assisted dying'"

John Smeaton, SPUC director: Melanie Phillips exposes the "terminal spin of 'assisted dying'": Melanie Phillips, the prominent conservative columnist, has written an excellent rebuttal of pro-euthanasia propaganda.

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SarahCare events this week

Alzheimer's Association sponsored support group geared toward adult children caring for their parents takes place next Monday, October 17th. This group meets from 7-8pm at the Cornerstone Church at 1675 84th St. SE, Caledonia, MI.

SarahCare Caregiver's Series meets next Thursday, October 20th from 6:30-8:30pm. This group meets at SarahCare Adult Day Center at 2024 Health Dr. Suite B, Wyoming, MI. Our topic this month is Estate, Elder Planing, and Ethicial Will Workshop. Jill Goodall, Esq. will discuss the importance of estate and elder planning and will include tips about how to set up an ethical will. This is an important topic; you won't want to miss this presentation! Lite snacks will be provided; no RSVP is neccessary.

For information on these groups or other information about how SarahCare Adult Day Center can help with someone you love, please contact Kendra or Michelle at (616) 530-6700.

SarahCare Adult Day Center
2024 Health Dr. Ste. B
Wyoming, MI 49519
phone (616) 530-6700 fax (616) 530-6767
www.sarahcare.com

How Medicare Fails the Elderly

How Medicare Fails the Elderly - NYTimes.com: "In the case of my mother, who died at 88 in 2003, room and board in various assisted living communities, at $2,000 to $3,500 a month for seven years, was not paid for by Medicare. Yet neurosurgery, which I later learned was not expected to be effective in her case, was fully reimbursed, along with two weeks of in-patient care. "

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Secret Do Not Resuscitate Orders in UK

Secret Do Not Resuscitate Orders in UK » Secondhand Smoke | A First Things Blog: So much for “choice:” The Telegraph is reporting that some UK hospitals secretly apply DNR orders–without patient/family knowledge or consent–against elderly patients.

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Inspection programme - dignity and nutrition for older people

Inspection programme - dignity and nutrition for older people: A new report from the Care Quality Commission has highlighted the failure in many British hospitals to provide elderly people wtih adequate basic care.

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Obama administration halts troubled long-term health plan

Obama administration halts troubled long-term health plan - Washington Times: The Obama administration, admitting that a key part of its health care law is unworkable, has abandoned the long-term care provision for the elderly and infirm in its health care law because it could not certify that the program would ever pay for itself. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius said the agency would not continue with the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) program, effectively confirming months of analysis showing the program to be financially unsustainable.

Related: Health overhaul law suffers first major casualty

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What Does "Pro-Life" Mean?

What Does "Pro-Life" Mean? | Blog | Joni and Friends: The 2010 MetLife Market Survey of Nursing Home, Assisted Living, Adult Day Services and Home Care Costs showed that Nursing Home and Assisted Living rates continue to rise and cost many times more than Home Care or Adult Day Services, where costs have remained steady.

Doesn't it make more sense to continue funding the more economical option, rather than slash that budget and require those with special needs to turn to the more expensive facilities? Especially when Medicaid has to pick up the tab?

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Kevorkian items to be auctioned

Jack Kevorkian and “Morbid Fashionistas” | NRL News Today: The memorabilia of “Dr. Death” is being sold by his niece, Ava Janus of Troy, Michigan. Along with his sweater among the more than 140 personal items to be auctioned off at the New York Institute of Technology there will be artwork, musical compositions, documents, a bulletproof vest, paint kit, typewriter, and the infamous Thanatron machine, which he built and used in more than 100 assisted suicides.

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Tilburt Family Adventures - Our Journey Through Multiple Sclerosis

Tilburt Family Adventures - Our Journey Through Multiple Sclerosis: A peek inside the life of a married single Mom: Daron was diagnosed with MS (Multiple Sclerosis) in 1999. We met in September 2001, had our first date October 27, 2001 and got married October 26, 2002. Taylor was born in December 2003. Our journey took a sharp turn in January of 2009 when Daron's MS changed. Now we are on a new adventure through this journey of dealing with MS. We appreciate those of you who are taking this adventure with us by reading this blog.

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Wesley Smith: Assisted Suicide Is the Euthanasia of Hope

Wesley Smith: Assisted Suicide Is the Euthanasia of Hope - Noozhawk.com: If we legalize assisted suicide, some patients will die instead of ultimately regaining their joy in living.

For some reason, this message doesn’t resonate as vividly as the siren song of doctor-prescribed death. But know this: If we are seduced into legalizing assisted suicide, we will cheat at least some people out of the universe’s most precious and irreplaceable commodity: Time.

Assisted suicide isn’t “choice;” it is the end of all choices. Doctor prescribed death is not “death with dignity;” it is really the euthanasia of hope."

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Brain injury doesn’t stop Utah singer from following dream

Brain injury doesn’t stop Utah singer from following dream (video) | The Salt Lake Tribune: "[Music] helped with his speech," said his wife, who sang with him throughout his rehabilitation. "It gave him a sense of purpose and confidence."

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Health Insurers Bid to Take Elderly Poor Out of U.S. Plans

Health Insurers Bid to Take Elderly Poor Out of U.S. Plans - Bloomberg: The U.S. may save as much as $125 billion over a decade if health insurers manage care for about 9 million people now covered by Medicare because of their age and Medicaid because they’re poor, the companies have told Congress.

America’s Health Insurance Plans, the Washington- based trade group for insurers, is lobbying the congressional supercommittee studying debt reduction to allow states to hire health plans such as UnitedHealth Group Inc. to direct care for the indigent elderly and disabled, whose medical needs now cost taxpayers as much as $230 billion a year.

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Survey says: 99% of people with Down syndrome happy

October is National Down Syndrome Awareness Month. Fittingly, the American Journal of Medical Genetics recently published groundbreaking research that challenges conventional wisdom about raising a child with Down syndrome. Responding to these studies, noted bioethicist Art Caplan predicted that, nevertheless, they will not “make a bit of difference to parents deciding to end pregnancies once [DS] is discovered in the fetus.” Actual experience contradicts Caplan’s pessimism.

The new research reports the findings of three surveys in which thousands of parents and hundreds of siblings and individuals with DS themselves, were questioned about what it is like to be affected in one way or another by DS. Ninety-nine percent of parents said they loved their child with DS and 97 percent were proud of them; only 4 percent regretted having their child. While 4 percent of siblingswould “trade their sibling” with DS, 96 percent indicated that they had affection toward their sibling with DS, with 94 percent of older siblings expressing feelings of pride. Finally, although 4 percent of individuals with DS expressed sadness about their lives, 99 percent said they were happy with their lives and 97 percent liked who they are. LifeNews

Calvary Care Home dedicated October 2nd!

Missionary Kyle Farran reports: 

"Last week marked an exciting landmark for Calvary Care Home in Richards Bay, South Africa. On October 2nd Calvary Baptist Church held a special dedication service, committing the work to the Lord and thanking Him for His provision. The building is now complete; all that remains are some finishing touches (installing mirrors & paper towel holders, altering curtains and donated sheets, etc.) Patti Buvia arrived from the States on September 22nd to help us during the first year the Care Home is open.

"We have also hired four caregivers who Heather [Farran] will start training next week. One of the caregivers is pastor Clement’s wife. Needless to say, we are thrilled to have her be a part of the ministry. Thank you for praying as we searched for the right workers for Calvary Care Home. All of the caregivers have come by personal referrals and we are so grateful for who God has brought us. Lord willing, we hope to begin taking our first patients at the end of October! Truly, God 'is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think' (Eph. 3:20)." Learn more

Advance Directives Might Curb Cost of End-of-Life Care

Advance Directives Might Curb Cost of End-of-Life Care - US News and World Report: Depending on where you live, having an advance directive may raise the odds that you'll receive hospice services and reduce the overall cost of your end-of-life care, a new study indicates.

Related: See Baptists for Life's Protective Medical Decisions Declaration

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Abortion and Disabilities: 87% of Downs Die, 64% Spina Bifida

Abortion and Disabilities: 87% of Downs Die, 64% Spina Bifida | LifeNews.com: A study from Wayne State University found that 87% of unborn children diagnosed with Down Syndrome were aborted. A review of studies in several countries showed 92% of unborn children who were diagnosed with Down Syndrome were aborted. Download and print a new flyer from MI-RTL

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Real death with dignity

Christian Medical Comment: Real death with dignity: As a general surgeon, I have sometimes seen patients fall victim to overzealous treatments at the end of life that have simply prolonged the dying process and ignored the ancient wisdom that speaks of ‘a time to die’. I believe there is a time to recognise that enough is enough. It is good medical practice to stop, or not to start, invasive treatments in certain situations – especially when death is imminent and inevitable, and where the burden of a treatment outweighs its benefits.

And yet, having witnessed first-hand the deaths of patients, friends and relatives, I remain convinced that the law should not be changed to allow either physician-assisted suicide (PAS) or voluntary euthanasia.

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Compassion or consumerism?

Compassion or consumerism? | Current Debate | Theos think tank -> Euthanasia: compassion or consumerism?: Strangely, the crisis of global economics has done a disservice to campaigners for the legalisation of euthanasia. As we knuckle down for a worldwide recession, facing the misery of slashed public services, rising unemployment and flat-lining growth figures, it’s impossible to imagine political leaders telling us to cheer up because they’ve made it easier for us to kill ourselves.

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Hundreds Of Nazi Cases Reopened

Hundreds Of Nazi Cases Reopened | Fox News: Prosecutors have reopened hundreds of dormant investigations of former Nazi death camp guards and others who might now be charged under a new precedent set by the conviction of retired U.S. autoworker John Demjanjuk. Given the advanced age of all of the suspects -- the youngest are in their 80s -- the head of the German prosecutors' office dedicated to investigating Nazi war crimes told the AP that authorities are not even waiting until the Demjanjuk appeals process is over.

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How to Steer Toward the Path of Least Treatment

How to Steer Toward the Path of Least Treatment - NYTimes.com: Has American health care become overly aggressive? Many primary care doctors think so, according to a survey published last week in Archives of Internal Medicine. More than 40 percent of 627 primary care doctors who responded to the survey thought their own patients were overtreated; only 6 percent thought the patients received too little care.

Why so many tests and referrals? Limited time to spend with patients, fear of being sued and financial incentives to do more were among the reasons cited by the physicians. Patients often worry about the cost of overtreatment but fail to recognize the potential harm of undergoing too many tests and procedures.

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Boycott China until they stop killing for body parts

Since there are not nearly enough organs to meet local needs, much less the demands of all these rich visitors, they are being procured from executed prisoners. The Chinese government has admitted that some executions may have even be timed for the convenience of a transplant recipient.

Without greater international pressure, killing for parts won’t stop. Killing prisoners for their parts is unethical on its own, but the practice is even more heinous given that prisoners in China can get death sentences for their religious or spiritual beliefs, political views or relatively minor crimes. MSNBC

Related: The Use of Prisoners as Sources of Organs–An Ethically Dubious Practice

MacArthur ‘Genius’ Grant Goes to D.C. Activist Who Fights Elder Abuse

MacArthur ‘Genius’ Grant Goes to D.C. Activist Who Fights Elder Abuse: Marie-Therese Connolly, who for years has been trying to place elder abuse in the national spotlight, is being awarded a MacArthur Fellowship, the $500,000, “no strings attached,” so-called “genius” grant given annually to a couple dozen artists, thinkers, social advocates and historians.

In issuing the award, the foundation said Connolly, a senior scholar at the Woodrow Wilson International Center, has “devoted her career to laying bare the many forms of elder abuse: physical and psychological, as well as financial exploitation and wrongful deprivation of rights.”

Related:
Congressional testimony on elder abuse
Life Long Justice
True Dignity Vermont - citizens against assisted suicide

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UN Considers Euthanasia and New Treaty on Aging

United Nations Considers Euthanasia and New Treaty on Aging | LifeNews.com: At the Open Ended Working Group on Aging in New York, nations disagreed on whether a new treaty would best protect the elderly. The United States recommended the appointment of a special rapporteur and the European Union suggested recourse to the existing treaty body system, which is made up of appointed committees.

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Dying cancer patients should not be given 'futile' drugs

Dying cancer patients should not be given 'futile' drugs - Telegraph: After a year-long investigation, a panel of leading academics said that the cost of treating cancer to western societies is spiralling out of control, as the ageing population means that increasing numbers of people are growing tumours.

Hi-tech treatments are being developed at a rapid pace while new medicines are coming on the market with little evidence to show they will help patients, it was claimed.

Doctors are said to be recommending new treatments with no thought to their cost or effectiveness because they don’t want to disappoint patients, leaving them with “false hope” as some drugs will only lengthen sufferers’ lives by a few weeks.

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