"Will to Live" Can Provide Some Protection

A Virginia "Will to Live" is a legal document that names someone to make health care decisions for an individual and makes clear what medical treatment the person would want if he/she can no longer speak. Without an explicit, written statement asserting that the patient wants to continue to receive food and water, many doctors and hospitals will assume a disabled person's "quality of life" is so low that nutrition and hydration should be withdrawn.

While a "Will to Live" cannot provide protection against involuntary euthanasia (only a change in the law can do that), it can provide protection from non voluntary euthanasia such as was experienced by Mr. Finn. (See article above for explanation of these terms.)

A sample Virginia Will to Live, explaining the various terms and options, is available from the VSHL office. Send your request to P.O. Box 6925, Richmond, VA 23230, or call 804/358-VSHL.

Published in VSHL Lifesaver - January 1999