Florida case moves living wills into focus
by Diana De Leon, Feature Editor

   Death does not scare me. Does it scare you? Of course not, you are probably only 24 years old. Death is not the last thing on your mind; it’s not even on your mind.
  The scenario in Florida is scary, and that has made me think about death, but in the terms of those left behind.
  What if your wife or husband wanted to pull the plug, but your parents did not want to and strongly disagreed with the spouse’s decision.
   This is not an easy decision to make for anyone. It affects your love, your life and, basically, your world.
  This decision is agonizing to say the least and will haunt you for years to come no matter what you decide.
  Something this personal and life changing is not something that should be left to outsiders.
  Should a man, oh let’s say the governor, who is not a friend, whom you don’t know, who has no personal feelings on the matter at all, decide for you?
  This scenario bothered me to the point of worrying what would happen if I were the one lying in that hospital.
  Why should someone who has no personal relationship with anyone in my family alter our world so much?
  I have one of those wills that says, “yes, pull the plug.” I have informed my only living parent as well as friends of my wishes.
  My husband has a similar document stating the same, and we cannot wait to pull each other’s plug. (Kidding)
  Is a will and my wish enough to satisfy the family when the time comes, or do we all have to worry about an outsider making the decision for our families?
  The death of a loved one is already hard on the family, and the pain involved is no easier when it comes to a pulling-of-the-plug scenario. I have been there.
   Do we live in a place that encourages choices? Are these choices to be questioned when it is difficult?
   Freedom to make our own choices is the building block of the country.
   I do not want the governor or any other person to make a decision that I have already made.
  The case in Florida is hard to hear because I know it is so personal for those involved, but it made me think about the what ifs.
  What if it happens to you? Who do you want to make the decision?