Inspired by satirist Adam Felber’s Living Will, my husband David posted the following:

Adam has the right idea here, although he puts a distinctly humorous slant on it.

I’m going to be a bit more serious about it.

Let’s make it perfectly clear here …

I David Michael Gibbs, being of sound mind and body (more or less), do hear-by state the following for the official record:

Should I ever be incapacitated, through injury or illness, to such an extent that I am unable to communicate at any level and the quality of my life is such that I am unable to enjoy it at a reasonable level, I wish that all extraordinary measures be withdrawn so that I may die with dignity. It is my fervent wish that I do not be come a burden on those who I love.

Since the above condition precludes my own participation in the decision process, the sole arbiter of my disposition shall be my wife: Virginia (Ginny) Elaine Gibbs. I would hope that she consult with, and consider advice from, everyone materially involved with my life and the situation (parents, siblings, friends, doctors, etc). I specifically forbid any legal body (court or legislature) from becoming involved, or trying to alter, the decision process.

Phew … that was a mouthful.

In all seriousness … I do NOT want anything like the Terri Schiavo garbage going on if I’m in a similar situation.

My mom calls this the “no heroics” clause. And for the record:

I, Virginia (Ginny) Elaine Baker Gibbs, being of sound mind and body, do hereby state that in the event I am incapacitated through injury or illness to such an extent that I am unable to communicate at any level and the quality of my life is such that I am unable to enjoy it at a reasonable level, I wish that all extraordinary measures be withdrawn so that I may die with dignity. It is my fervent wish that I do not be come a burden on those who I love.

Since the above condition precludes my own participation in the decision process, the sole arbiter of my disposition shall be my husband: David Michael Gibbs. I would hope that he consult with, and consider advice from, everyone materially involved with my life and the situation (parents, siblings, friends, doctors, etc). I specifically forbid any legal body (court or legislature) from becoming involved, or trying to alter, the decision process.

Another mouthful. When Pop died, he had been in a coma for a couple of weeks. The doctors prepared us with that charming “vegetable” analogy. My mom was horrified, because she knew exactly what she meant. I, being ten, couldn’t help imagining giant rutabagas and turnips lying in hospital beds.

Of course, my dad would have been a 6-foot carrot.

Anyway, Felber’s blog continues to be a lively resource for anyone heartily sick of the Terri Schiavo story. He’s stumbled onto an interesting fact: some of the so-called experts are vewwy, vewwy scwewy.