Doubting the Accuracy of Living Wills

After a family friend lost both legs in a car accident, Richard Rudd told his parents that he would not want to be kept alive if something similar happened to him. Soon after, Richard was involved in a motorbike accident that left him in a coma and paralyzed from the neck down. Richard’s parents told doctors to remove life support, but agreed to give him more time upon the doctors’ request. The doctors asked Richard if he wanted to continue treatment and Richard indicated “yes” by moving his eyes in the manner requested by the doctors.

Cases such as Richard’s spark debate regarding living wills. What people want when they are healthy may differ from what they want when they are in the hospital bed.

See David Harrison, Parents of Coma Blink Patient Richard Rudd Speak of Emotional Turmoil, Telegraph,co.uk, July 18, 2010.

Special thanks to Joel Dobris (Professor of Law, UC Davis School of Law) for bringing this to my attention.