All week we have been watching the life and death drama concerning 1-year-old Baby RB. Since the hearing began last Monday we have heard from experts for ending Baby RB’s life and from those that disagree. While the hospital’s experts say that Baby RB will succumb eventually to a horribly painful death, doesn’t that testimony in and of itself indicate that Baby RB can perceive, whether good or bad. Meanwhile, other experts argued whether Baby RB is truly interacting with his parents and the environment because his actions are very primitive and reflexive, not volitional.
Up until today, we believed that Baby RB had a poor prognosis and would soon die whether or not removed from life support. However, an article posted today from fellow CMS sufferers causes reflection into the issue. Some of the CMS “survivors” were also given a “death sentence” through a poor prognosis but they have achieved life and have outlived their life projections. How does one know that Baby RB won’t outlive all his “critics”?
To read about the survivors: http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article6908060.ece
One thing is certain, while one judge will decide the fate of Baby RB, it will surely not end at this judicial level. It is likely that the decision will be appealed and while the legal arguments continue, Baby RB will likely decide his own fate.
Filed under: Breaking News, Legal Issues, Medical Issues, Patients | Tagged: Breaking News, Healthcare, Legal, Patients
