MuskogeePhoenix.com, Muskogee, OK

Editorials

Discussion

November 27, 2009

Advance directive still wise thing

A Belgian man thought to be in a vegetative state, but now apparently communicating, will certainly spur the ethical debate over questions about the value of life and end-of-life medical decisions.

Rom Houben, 46, according to most doctors, was in a vegetative state for 23 years. But recently, he began communicating with the aid of a special keyboard and help from therapists. Houben, through his keyboard, has indicated he is writing a book about his experience.

Some coma experts still doubt the extent of Houben’s cognitive abilities because of his injuries and severely limited physical abilities — he is unable to speak or move. But doctors with Belgian’s Coma Science Group estimate that as many as “43 percent of patients with disorders of consciousness are erroneously assigned a diagnosis of vegetative state.”

Life is precious to us all, so studies should continue so that we do not give up on physically disabled people who still have the ability to contribute to life and appreciate their lives no matter how limited.

Houben’s story also should make each of us think long and hard about what we would want if we were in the same predicament as Houben. Rather than leave family and doctors to determine whether we should be fed and cared for when we cannot do anything for ourselves, we can make those decisions now legally by completing an end-of-life directive.

No one can force anyone to have an advance directive. But it seems an advance directive is a wise thing to do given the limitations we have concerning life and death determinations — and even Houben’s extraordinary case.

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