In the wake of the legality, the religion and the politics relating to who can decide what life means for you, or me, or Terri Schiavo, I have been moved to research a “living will.”

“[In NSW] An advanced health care directive or “living will” is a written statement which contains information about the medical treatment which you desire. It comes into effect only when you are no longer able to make your own decisions. In NSW, advanced health care directives are not supported by legislation, unless they are part of the appointment of an enduring guardian. However, if a potential decision maker, such as a health care worker, guardian of the Guardianship Tribunal is aware of the existence of your advanced health care directive, it is likely to be influential when decisions about your health care are made. An advanced health care directive should be up to date and consistent with anything you have said to the decision maker previously.

If you do nothing about planning, as discussed above, the Guardianship Act will apply to you by identifying persons who are best able to make decisions on your behalf.”

It was this observation made by the rude one that moved me to action…

“[…]compares Schiavo’s situation to abortion, infantilizing her, taking away her voice completely. And there’s the truth of the matter, no? Those who want Terri Schiavo to be forced to live need those miracles because it will be as if she has come full-term, like a fetus. It is paternalism, sexism, and degradation.
In the end, it is her husband who, with the agreement of every court that’s heard the case, wants to give voice, give agency, to the adult.”

Image from here