About the book
Every day, thousands of people quietly face decisions as agonizing as those made famous in the Terri Schiavo case. Throughout that controversy, all kinds of people — politicians, religious leaders, legal and medical experts — made emphatic statements about the facts and offered even more certain opinions about what should be done. To many, courts were either ordering Terri’s death by starvation or vindicating her constitutional rights. Both sides called for simple answers. If That Ever Happens to Me details why these simple answers were not right for Terri Schiavo and why they are not right for end-of-life decisions today.
Lois Shepherd looks behind labels like “starvation,” “care,” or “medical treatment” to consider what care and feeding really mean, when feeding tubes might be removed, and why disability groups, the faithful, and even the dying themselves often suggest end-of-life solutions that they might later regret. For example, Shepherd cautions against living wills as a pat answer. She provides evidence that demanding letter-perfect documents can actually weaken, rather than bolster, patient choice.
The actions taken and decisions made during Terri Schiavo’s final years will continue to have repercussions for thousands of others — those nearing death, their families, health-care professionals, attorneys, lawmakers, clergy, media, researchers, and ethicists. If That Ever Happens to Me is an excellent choice for anyone interested in end-of-life law, policy, and ethics — particularly readers seeking a deeper understanding of the issues raised by Terri Schiavo’s case.
Editions of If That Ever Happens to Me
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780807832950
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780807873526
- EBook
- ISBN 9780807888643
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469605746
- EBook
- ISBN 9798893133318
- PDF
- ISBN 9798890883308
Read an Excerpt
Every day, thousands of people quietly face decisions as agonizing as those made famous in the Terri Schiavo case. Throughout that controversy, all kinds of people — politicians, religious leaders, legal and medical experts — made emphatic statements about the facts and offered even more certain opinions about what should be done. To many, courts were either ordering Terri’s death by starvation or vindicating her constitutional rights. Both sides called for simple answers. If That Ever Happens to Me details why these simple answers were not right for Terri Schiavo and why they are not right for end-of-life decisions today.
Lois Shepherd looks behind labels like “starvation,” “care,” or “medical treatment” to consider what care and feeding really mean, when feeding tubes might be removed, and why disability groups, the faithful, and even the dying themselves often suggest end-of-life solutions that they might later regret. For example, Shepherd cautions against living wills as a pat answer. She provides evidence that demanding letter-perfect documents can actually weaken, rather than bolster, patient choice.
The actions taken and decisions made during Terri Schiavo’s final years will continue to have repercussions for thousands of others — those nearing death, their families, health-care professionals, attorneys, lawmakers, clergy, media, researchers, and ethicists. If That Ever Happens to Me is an excellent choice for anyone interested in end-of-life law, policy, and ethics — particularly readers seeking a deeper understanding of the issues raised by Terri Schiavo’s case.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is If That Ever Happens to Me about?
Every day, thousands of people quietly face decisions as agonizing as those made famous in the Terri Schiavo case. Throughout that controversy, all kinds of people — politicians, religious leaders, legal and medical experts — made emphatic statements about the facts and offered even more certain opinions about what should be done. To many, courts were either ordering Terri’s death by starvation or vindicating her constitutional rights. Both sides called for simple answers. If That Ever Happens to Me details why these simple answers were not right for Terri Schiavo and why they are not right for end-of-life decisions today.
Lois Shepherd looks behind labels like “starvation,” “care,” or “medical treatment” to consider what care and feeding really mean, when feeding tubes might be removed, and why disability groups, the faithful, and even the dying themselves often suggest end-of-life solutions that they might later regret. For example, Shepherd cautions against living wills as a pat answer. She provides evidence that demanding letter-perfect documents can actually weaken, rather than bolster, patient choice.
The actions taken and decisions made during Terri Schiavo’s final years will continue to have repercussions for thousands of others — those nearing death, their families, health-care professionals, attorneys, lawmakers, clergy, media, researchers, and ethicists. If That Ever Happens to Me is an excellent choice for anyone interested in end-of-life law, policy, and ethics — particularly readers seeking a deeper understanding of the issues raised by Terri Schiavo’s case.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in If That Ever Happens to Me?
Medicine and Nursing > Medicine / Healthcare: general issues / topics > Medical profession > Medical ethics and professional conduct
Where can I read a sample of If That Ever Happens to Me?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780807832950
How long is If That Ever Happens to Me and how many pages does it have?
If That Ever Happens to Me has 240 page(s)
Is If That Ever Happens to Me part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series Studies in Social Medicine
Who is/are the Author/s of the book If That Ever Happens to Me?
Lois Shepherd
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
If That Ever Happens to Me is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780807832950) and paperback(ISBN 9780807873526) and ebook(ISBN 9780807888643) and ebook(ISBN 9781469605746) and ebook(ISBN 9798893133318) and pdf(ISBN 9798890883308)
Where can I buy If That Ever Happens to Me online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy If That Ever Happens to Me from below
Where can I buy If That Ever Happens to Me?