McCain vs. Obama on Abortion

Do you notice the dramatic difference?

What is a Person?

What does it mean to be a person or a human? Is it only when we’re awake? Is it only when we can voluntarily move? Are we no longer a person if we have a seizure or a learning disability? Are we only a person if we are able to care for ourselves? Are we still a person when we are in a temporary coma? Are we still a person when we are in an altered state of consciousness? Are we a person when we are still growing? At what age do we become a person? At what point could we ever lose being a human or person while still being alive and having living cells?

What is Life?

If a cell, or group of cells, has the ability to multiply, grow, have cellular function and the cabability to attempt to repair themselves … they are living. Living cells are not inanimate objects.  They are alive. If those cells are a human embryo, it is a forming person …. but still, a person.

Any person, no matter what size, state of development, or age has the right to their own life and all of their days.

Who of us can begin to feel we have the knowledge or right to decide or judge another’s quality of life? As individuals, nobody should be able to choose to end the life of another based on their preference or judgment. What gives anyone the knowledge, or right, to judge the life of another in quality, or quantity, in light of any disability? That disability may be their stage of development, age, any physical handicap, illness, or any injury from which one is trying to recover.

Each of us are dependent on adequate hydration and nutrition. If either of those are withheld from any of us, we will die within several days to a couple of weeks. We are EACH dependent on fluids and food. Now, whether that comes by way of a mother’s breast, a placenta and umbilical cord, a feedig tube, or a drive-through at McDonald’s, we are no less dependent.

Does it depend on who carries the food or fluids to the person in need? If we cannot get the food or fluids for ourselves, are we less worthy? Has our personhood ended? If we are confused, have we become a non-person? If we have seizures and are unable to use a stove, have we then lost our personhood?

Where is the line drawn? At what point is a person no longer a person and all rights lost? How is this decided? Who can possibly have the knowledge to make this decision?

Whether we are referencing an embryo (living human cells) or an elderly person, or a brain injured individual … they are human and persons and made in the image of God.

I challenge you to watch the two links below in their entirety. Please, view the complete videos at the links below for an in-depth look at the case of Terri Schiavo. She, contrary to popular belief, was NOT in a coma and there are many details for which you must be unaware if you feel it was just to end her life.

The Terri Schiavo Story - Part 1

and

The Terri Schiavo Story - Part 2

The videos above are from the Joni and Friends website. I highly suggest spending time on the Joni and Friends website and viewing the other videos available for free via computer. They are definitely worth the time invested.

Obama’s Position Clarified

A Reply to Linda & Carol

Linda,

My friend, actually Terri Schiavo’s case and my grandmother’s situation were not very different at all. Their cognitive function was varied, but both were alive and had NO terminal illness. Watch the links above for details of Terri’s case. Her rehab was stopped once her husband was awarded millions of dollars from a malpractice suit for her longterm care. Once he was guardian of this money, he had her rehab stopped and she was warehoused in a nursing home. Her family was denied the opportunity to care for her.

Once she died (after her husband had fought in the courts to have her fluids and food stopped), her husband became the recipient of the millions awarded for her long term care.

The facts in the case were never reviewed by higher courts, since this was a civil case. Only the previous determination was looked at … but NO supporting facts. Over 40 physicians stated she WAS NOT in a permanent vegetative state, was minimally conscious, and could benefit from rehab.

There was a distinct and valid reason there was a huge public outcry for this woman and her family! Watch the video links above, please.

As a neuro nurse for years, both in Neuro ICU and a neurology/neurosurgery unit, I have experience in working with a variety of neurologically impaired patients. I’ve seen miraculous recoveries. And, I’ve never seen anyone that did not deserve care, an ongoing chance, dedication and compassion. And, they all remained *persons*.

**************

Carol,

As I said in my email, this is my personal blog. If you were offended by my simple and very appropriate avatar, I am amazed. I fail to see anything offensive in the avatars below:

or

I write about many various topics. My life has many aspects and it is not limited to knitting or *easy* topics. I will frequently address the issue of the sanctity of life. I will boldly state that all persons have the right to life, the right to ongoing care, and the right to not be judged of being unworthy to live or lacking sufficient quality of life.

I will speak out against those that see life as disposable when it’s an inconvenience and that see death as a viable option to that inconvenience. Obama is in full support of abortion, partial-birth abortion, and involuntary euthanasia. I will not be quiet.

I hope at some time the lives of the unborn and those with handicaps, illness, or the elderly are not in jeopardy because they are an inconvenience … and I can once again easily blog about knitting.

I truly hope that soon we can speak of fiber arts freely and have no need to speak of fending off those that want to end lives so readily and without remorse.

**********

Everyone,

I’ll have more updates soon. I have many more upcoming posts already in draft form, so I’ll be back soon.

I continue to pray for each of you and wish you blessed days, restful nights and a closer walk with our Heavenly Father each hour.

Your Friend,

Shelly

NIV

Genesis 1:27

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

1 Samuel 20:14

But show me unfailing kindness like that of the LORD as long as I live, so that I may not be killed,

Romans 8:28 - 38

28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

31What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.