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Posted by: poeticpiers May 13 06, 06:27

Exit

Oh Lord grant me the right to die
before I lose my dignity.
I do not want to linger on
when my intelligence is gone.
Why should I suffer needlessly?
when I no longer want to live.
I’d rather end it painlessly.
I’ve thought it out I’m positive.
I don’t mind being old and ill
as long as I can think clearly.
But forced to live against my will
I think is pointless cruelty.
So do not strive to keep alive
when living on is negative.

13 May. 06

Posted by: JustDaniel May 17 06, 08:55

You've essentially spoken for me, my friend. I've already lost enought of my ability and dignity. I certainly do not want any heroic measures to be taken to keep me 'alive' if God calls me home. I'll be just fine on the other side, waitin' patiently for the others to arrive.

Thank you for the thoughtful, touching read.

in Light of losing it, Daniel

Posted by: poeticpiers May 17 06, 09:48

Daniel I spent the latter years of my working life as a socail worker specialising in the care of the elderly and terminally ill clients.This very much informed my views .I see no point in merely existing as so many are forced to do.They can linger on for years with no effective means of communication not even knowing who they are let alone who anyone else is.Far better to be gone. One of my colleagues developed Alzheimers in his late fifties. He knew what the future held and suffered greatly.At his family's request I admitted him to care and watched him descend into mindlessness.Fortunately he did not last for longand I was glad to see him released from his suffering.I made up my mind that this will never happen to me.
I will take active steps to prevent it whist I still have my faculties.
However I believe for most of us keeping the brain active guards against dementia in the absence of hereditary factors. My father remained mentally alert until his death at ninety eight so I am hopeful on that score
Be well my friend

Posted by: JustDaniel May 17 06, 17:34

I agree with you totally!

I honestly think that in light of my slowly dwindling recent memory ability that, though I may not be experiencing the onset of dementia, the aging of my brain is taking a toll... and if I didn't do the occasional crossword puzzle and cryptogram and jumble and occasionally play Scrabble (if I can find an opponent!)... and write poetry every day, I'd probably lose it!

Of course I'm still very active in the social work field, working with families of persons with mental illness

deLightin' in your friendship, Daniel