Comments on: Hannah’s Choice: England Debates Right of 13-Year-Old to Decide Right to Die

By: Cindy

Cindy — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 03:24:52 +0000

Hannah you are a beautiful gift from God and a miracle child. God bless you and keep you. You are so brave and we will see you again.

By: 3L

3L — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 23:23:57 +0000

At some point this young lady–not her parents–is feeling the pain. People around her can feel sad and they might cry, but she is the one who has been physically dealing with the pain and discomfort from her diseases and their treatments. She probably doesn’t remember a time when she wasn’t constantly being poked and prodded.

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[...] Hannah’s Choice: England Debates Right of 13-Year-Old to Decide Right to Die [...]

By: Patty C

Patty C — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 21:28:52 +0000

The only thing that might dissuade her from her decision is to know that all that happens when you die is people kick dirt in your face
- as hard as that sounds.

As long as you’re here you’re ‘alive’. And by living you have opportunities to enjoy life and contribute.

And that’s what it’s all about…

By: CEJ

CEJ — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 21:11:27 +0000

This a heartbreaking but life affirming story. Hannah is a brave girl with such a strong spirit. She and her family deserve great admiration for having shown a remarkable ability to cope.

In pediatrics the ideal care model is family-centered (versus patient-centered). Her mother’s experience as an ICU nurse has given their family unique insights to support Hannah’s decision making. I don’t doubt this is Hannah’s choice; having been ill for so long she is the expert on her body. If she were forced into such a complex procedure against her will the chances for a successful outcome maybe diminished; and the guilt would be unbearable.

In March doctors predicted that without a heart transplant she would only live six months; she has already outlived that estimate. I hope she will live much longer! I want to believe and will pray that given her youth and continued survival there is always the possibility that her body will begin to recover, that she may heal and maybe yet thrive.

If she were my child I would support her decision to refuse the transplant; but I would seek a second opinion from the best pediatric cardiovascular surgeon in England. Perhaps there is another alternative that may offer some benefit with less risk of increased pain and suffering; such as repair of the hole in her heart, or placement of atrial/ventricular assist device which could decrease the workload of her heart, and allow some opportunity for healing. If my child were against any invasive procedures I would still want a second opinion; as medications can often be changed with benefit. (I know this may be wishful thinking.)

Fortunately it seems money did not enter into the equation; the added burden of no health insurance and lack of an ability to pay is a cruel reality for many families here.

I will continue to wish/pray for only the best for Hannah and her family.

By: mespo727272

mespo727272 — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 15:47:45 +0000

I wonder why in a country like Great Britain where catastrophic medical conditions are paid for by the government, why anyone would suggest the parents are influencing the child’s decision. I see maturity here I would want to see in my own kids–though under radically different circumstances of course. The good– they die young.

By: rafflaw

rafflaw — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 13:06:29 +0000

One wonders if the child is merely repeating the mantra of the parents, but it seems that Hannah is a very mature 13. She has been through so much in her short time on earth. I would have to allow her to make the decision, with ratification by the parents, but it is such a tough decision. A 13 year old should never have to make that kind of decision. Good luck and God bless her and her family.