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Group brings advanced directives to the fore |
Pastors and lay people are coordinating a public
forum on the tool for those facing death |
By Schellene Clendenin, Newberg
Graphic Reporter
E-mail Schellene at sclendenin@eaglenewspapers.com
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The small group of pastors and
lay people gathered around the conference table at Providence
Newberg Hospital Wednesday afternoon agreed it’s difficult to get
people to talk about end-of-life issues. It’s even tougher to make
decisions about them.
That is why the group said that the intense debate over the life
and death of Florida resident Terri Schiavo should not be forgotten
too quickly. Schiavo died after months of court battles between the
woman’s husband and other family members to determine whether it was
her wish to die or remain in a vegetative state.
“It’s a hot topic,” said Frank Engle, marketing director at
Friendsview Retirement Community.
The group agreed that had Schiavo provided an advanced directive
(AD), a detailed description of what type of medical care she wanted
were she to become incapacitated, as well as determining who would
make decisions for her – much of the legal wrangling would have been
moot.
“An advanced directive can be very effective when you can’t speak
for yourself,” said Tom Struck, pastor of Joyful Servant Lutheran
Church.
While the issue of creating an AD is still hot, several pastors
were invited to help coordinate a forum inviting the public to
discuss issues surrounding ADs, as well as help people better
understand how to create one.
Chaplain Gregg Selander of Providence Newberg Hospital, licensed
clinical social worker Carol Trumbauer, Struck and Engle attended
the meeting.
“To me (Schiavo) left a legacy,” Trumbauer said. “And while she had
had her AD filled out for years, she had yet to sign it. Recently,
she and her husband went over the AD, discussing issues – feeding
tubes, life support and who would be her appointed health care
representative should she become incapacitated due to illness or
injury.
“We should practice what we preach. Our goal is that everyone in
Newberg have an advanced directive.”
The group have planned a forum from 6:30 to 8 p.m. May 9 at the
Steven’s Center, Room 102, on GFU campus.
Copies of ADs can be picked up at physicians’ offices, hospitals,
church offices and through insurance providers. They will also be
made available at the forum. |
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From
April 16, 2005,
Newberg Graphic
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