Posted on Nov 10, 2015
Does this student have the right to die in school if his mother decides it will enhance his QOL (Quality of Life)?
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The AP reports that [his terminal medical condition] has hampered his blood flow, a situation exacerbated by his growth. Alex was hospitalized multiple times over the summer, and WHNT reported last month that the family's doctors feel the best choice for Alex from a quality-of-life perspective would be to let him die naturally.
The teen has hospice care twice a week, according to DecaturDaily.com, and his family obtained a legal advance directive stating Alex is not to be revived if he goes into cardiac arrest.
There's only one problem: East Limestone High School refuses to honor the advance directive and has said it will do everything it can to save the teen if something happens while he's at school.
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2015/11/04/mom-fights-school-over-teen-son-right-to-die-there.html?intcmp=ob_article_footer_text&intcmp=obnetwork
The teen has hospice care twice a week, according to DecaturDaily.com, and his family obtained a legal advance directive stating Alex is not to be revived if he goes into cardiac arrest.
There's only one problem: East Limestone High School refuses to honor the advance directive and has said it will do everything it can to save the teen if something happens while he's at school.
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2015/11/04/mom-fights-school-over-teen-son-right-to-die-there.html?intcmp=ob_article_footer_text&intcmp=obnetwork
Posted in these groups: 
Ethics
Ethics
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 7
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Advance directives, if known, are legally binding... However, I really don't think AD's were meant to apply to a school where there are no "medically trained" personnel (school nurse doesn't count)......
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SGT Jeremiah B.
Yeah, this is where I get a bit uncomfortable - asking a medical professional to not try, okay. Asking a school administrator? Not cool.
A lot of people also don't realize that AD's don't apply to emergency personnel either. We were told by our lawyer that in a case where one of our AD's kicks in, do NOT call 911 until it is far, far too late (or find out from your doctor on how to report the death in a non-emergency manner).
A lot of people also don't realize that AD's don't apply to emergency personnel either. We were told by our lawyer that in a case where one of our AD's kicks in, do NOT call 911 until it is far, far too late (or find out from your doctor on how to report the death in a non-emergency manner).
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CPO Andy Carrillo, MS
Yes, the mother wants him to continue attending until he drops, then she wants the school authorities not to take any action to preserve his life according to his advanced directive (DNR). Unknown if he is in school at this moment, but she is insisting for the option.
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SGT Jeremiah B.
He has a condition that will eventually kill him. He's not terminal like "you have two weeks to live" but just has a condition that will kill him, it's just that no one knows when. Until then, I'm guessing his mom wants him to have as normal a life as possible.
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Capt Mark Strobl
SGT Jerrold Pesz - The kid has a right to be educated. Can't discriminate against the terminally ill.
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SGT Jerrold Pesz
I just read the article again. Hospice care is normally only for people in the final stages of dying and it says that he is only physically able to attend school 4 hours a week. I feel for the kid and his family but it doesn't sound like school is doing much for him and I can see why the school doesn't want him dropping dead in class.
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... as long as they decided it themselves ... go ahead. It is pretty much suicide, like abortion ... don't waste my money ... you do your things. You answer to your faith.
I will try to talk you out of it, but I know I can't stop you.
I will try to talk you out of it, but I know I can't stop you.
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