April 7 , 2005

Fulfilling Your Will

WASHINGTON, D.C. –Congresswoman Deborah Pryce (R-Upper Arlington) today submitted the following letter to the editor.

“If we can take one positive from the tragic case of Terry Schiavo, it is the general public’s increased awareness of living wills. The legal wrangling surrounding Terry’s ordeal focused on the differences between how her parents and husband believed she would have wanted to be cared for. While Terry’s husband, Michael, claims she had verbally told him her wishes, a court of law is not required to accept that as evidence. If Terry had had a living will, it would have served as incontrovertible evidence of her wishes.

A living will is your chance to spell out to your loved ones and doctors how you want to be cared for when you can no longer make decisions for yourself. It is a simple legal document that can be prepared by almost any lawyer, or by one of the many living will organizations found on the internet. End-of-life choices are difficult, and only you can know what your preferences are. Simply telling a family member isn’t enough—as we could plainly see from Terry’s case. A living will, or advance directive, will make sure that your choices are carried out.

Unfortunately, the differences of opinion among her family were the geneses of the public drama we witnessed over several weeks. No one, and no family, should have to go through what the Schiavos experienced. The loss of a child, spouse, or parent is traumatic enough without the entire ordeal being played out in the media.

Yet, countless families go through similar, less public hardships on a daily basis. Estimates show that nearly 75% of American adults do not have a living will. While it certainly is not pleasant to think about the decisions that will inevitably have to be made, it is necessary to do so in order to avoid putting your family in a situation like Terri’s. Terri was only 26 when she first became ill, and her example demonstrates that living wills are not just for the elderly or middle aged, but for all Americans.

The burden of such a personal decision should not have to fall to a parent, husband, wife, child, or even judge. It is one that only you can and should make. You can start today by going to a lawyer or searching the internet for a reputable living will provider. Doing so will ensure that you are cared for in a manner of your choosing, and will be a gift to your family.”