CNA\/EWTN News<\/a>).- As a 29 year-old woman with terminal brain cancer reconsiders her resolve to end her life, one scholar says the change of heart indicates a more mature level of thinking.<\/p>\n\t\u201cThat\u2019s advanced thinking, that\u2019s higher order thinking \u2013 when you can let go of the trappings of this world and realize there is something else,\u201d reflected Dr. Julie Masters, chairman of the Department of Gerontology at the University of Nebraska.<\/p>\n
\tShe told CNA Oct. 30 that Brittany Maynard\u2019s reconsideration is an \u201cinteresting development.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t\u201cI think reading some of the things she has said about this idea that she is there with her family and seeing the value of that offers people another perspective on end-of-life care, and what that means,\u201d Masters said.<\/p>\n
\tAfter being diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, Maynard announced earlier this month that was planning to end her life Nov. 1. She and her husband moved to Oregon, one of just a few states that allows physician-assisted suicide.<\/p>\n
\tBut in a new video, posted Oct. 29, Maynard said she is reconsidering.<\/p>\n
\t\u201cI still feel good enough and I still have enough joy and I still laugh and smile with my family and friends enough that it doesn\u2019t seem like the right time right now,\u201d she stated, adding that the time to take her life will likely come eventually.<\/p>\n
\tAlthough Maynard did say that her health has been declining, she also stated in the video that \u201cthe worst thing that could happen to me is I wait too long because I am trying to seize each day and I lose my autonomy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\tDr. Masters, who teaches a class on \u201cDeath and Dying,\u201d reflected on this vantage point of choice and autonomy, saying it is a common factor when considering end-of-life choices.<\/p>\n
\t\u201cThe number one reason why people choose physician-assisted suicide is because of autonomy. They want to maintain their autonomy, their right to choose,\u201d Masters stated.<\/p>\n
\tHowever, she questioned whether physician-assisted suicide is truly a choice or an expectation.<\/p>\n
\t\u201cWe look at physician assisted suicide, and it is a choice in the sense that it is available in five states, that\u2019s reality,\u201d she said. \u201cBut the question becomes then, is that an option for people, or does it become an expectation?\u201d<\/p>\n
\tShe suggested that the increasing number of physician-assisted suicides can impose an expectation to end one\u2019s life when it is no longer seen to have value.<\/p>\n
\tWhile noting that she does not know Maynard and cannot speak for her exclusively, Masters said she suspects that the young woman has been given a reason to pause and think about her life.<\/p>\n
\t\u201cThat\u2019s important,\u201d Masters said. \u201cIt sure sounds like to be able to take a trip with her family and to be surrounded by her family, she is getting a glimpse of a quality of life she hadn\u2019t anticipated.\u201d<\/p>\n
\tReferring to a Fox News piece on the situation, Masters suggested that Maynard is acknowledging the important things in life, adding to the joy that she is still experiencing amidst the suffering in her daily life. This indicates more advanced thinking, she said.<\/p>\n
\tAcknowledging that it is hard to watch someone suffer and die, Masters believes that \u201cwe could give a little more attention to relieving suffering.\u201d<\/p>\n
\tWhile firmly stating a belief that there can be value in suffering, she also noted the importance of comforting and relieving suffering, which can also help alleviate the fear that can accompany the thought of death.<\/p>\n
\t\u201cIt\u2019s about fear,\u201d she said, explaining that \u201cpeople are afraid because they have examples in their mind of other people who have died a hard death.\u201d<\/p>\n
\tReacting to end-of-life choices out of fear is common, Masters noted, stressing that the pain and symptoms of a terminal illness should not be controlled by this fear, but met with support, care, and comfort.<\/p>\n
\t\u201cThat\u2019s where we could do such a better job of communicating options to people. Brittany has not only advanced the movement of Compassion & Choices, but she has also advanced the movement of questioning the value of hospice and palliative care, and the value of life.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t\u201cDeath can be a gift, and it can be approached in a comforting way,\u201d Masters said, noting the critical importance of hospice and palliative care for people near death.<\/p>\n
\tWhen people lose sight, she continued, \u201cthey get this tunnel vision, and they only see one option, and that\u2019s suicide.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t\u201cFor Brittany, it seemed for awhile as if she thought there was only one option, but now she sees there are other options and maybe she is being open and considering the other options,\u201d Masters suggested.<\/p>\n
\tAcknowledging that Maynard\u2019s story is prompting people to talk about end-of-life issues, Masters said she hopes this will be an opportunity for people to reflect on life and engage in dialogue in order to process what end-of-life decisions really mean.<\/p>\n
\t\u201cThis is an opportunity for people to think,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n
\n
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Denver, Colo., Oct 30, 2014 \/ 05:10 pm (CNA\/EWTN News).- As a 29 year-old woman with terminal brain cancer reconsiders her resolve to end her life, one scholar says the change of heart indicates a more mature level of thinking.<\/p>\n
\t“That’s a…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1031,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8792","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-us"],"yoast_head":"\n
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