LIFE IS WORTH LIVING The Latimer Family Tragedy by Fr. Jim Whalen 1997, Issue 4

 LIFE IS WORTH LIVING

The Latimer Family Tragedy

 

by Fr. Jim Whalen

1997, Issue 4

     Some news reports would have us believe otherwise. The fact is that the Slippery Slope Agenda is a reality for Canadians with disabilities. In the guise of mercy killing, Tracy Latimer, 12 years old, a disabled daughter with Cerebral Palsy, was killed, poisoned, gassed by her father, Robert Latimer, a Saskatchewan wheat farmer. Tracy warranted the full protection of the law. Being disabled did not make her less a person, did not make her life less worth living. She was unable to defend herself. She did not choose to die. Reporters indicate he killed her because he loved her. He ended her life because he could not bear to see her suffer anymore. He could not see any other option. He had no other alterative. It was an intolerable situation. It seems that fear of present and future pain was a constant emotional burden for Tracy’s parents. Reporters gave the impression that the defense claimed the motive for the alleged crime touched on ‘Mercy Killing’, seen as a form of pity or compassion, stressing the pain and suffering being endured.

 While one can sympathize with anyone suffering, mercy killing, pity and compassion, must be seen for what they are. “Mercy killing is an act of direct euthanasia usually committed for the alleged purpose of ending the suffering of an unproductive or terminally ill person. In reality, healthy people commit ‘Mercy Killings’ in order to relieve themselves of the inconvenience and expense of caring for those who have or will become an emotional or financial burden on them.” (Facts of Life, HLI, Brian Clowes, P.111) As Tracy was unable to defend herself, involuntary euthanasia took place. True pity or compassion should result in a positive act of mercy, a life giving and caring act. When feeling takes precedence and dominates one’s thinking, the reverse happens. Being human means we must live as we think or we will think as we live. A wise person once said that we are called ‘Human Beings’ not ‘Human Doers’ for we reveal our unique value and dignity by our existence and presence. This calls us to care: “True compassion leads to sharing another’s pain, it does not kill the person whose suffering we cannot bear.” (Pope John Paul II, Evangelium Vitae, #66)

 The family as well as the community, the whole of society, must respect the human dignity of a handicapped person. This means making available medication, pain control and necessary therapy. It means providing the required support for the family, through palliative care and other social services. Teague Johnson, a young boy of 11 years, with cerebral palsy reflected on Tracy’s case: “All children are valuable and deserve to live full and complete lives. No one should make the decision for another person on whether their life is worth living or not. I have a family and friends that love me. I have so much to give. I have pain but I do not need to be put out of my misery... Life is a precious gift. It belongs to the person to whom it is given. Tracy’s life was hers to make of it what she could. My life is going to be astounding” (Vancouver Sun, Dec. 9, 1994; Teague died May 29, 1995. His life was indeed astounding).

 The culture of death advocates in our society consider accepting any suffering as meaningless. The culture of life advocates teach we are to accept the suffering we cannot change and ask for the courage to bear it. In the light of human and faith values, death should not be hastened because of suffering, but the focus should be on loving care, physical, mental, spiritual and social aspects, palliative care.

 Lack of information or formation can cause us to loose hope. Lack of faith, or not recognizing our need for the grace of God can find us empty, confused and unable to cope. Lack of support from friends and society can cause us to break down. When we prepare and accept living, suffering, and dying on Our Creator’s terms, it is His love and mercy that we experience. When we accept His will, His way, we gain eternal life. There is no burden too great or too heavy to bear. When we are given the grace of the moment and others like Him to share our journey with us.

 In conclusion, I would like to refer to a quote by Mother Teresa: “If a mother can kill a child in her womb [and a father kill his handicapped child], what’s to stop us from killing each other?  ¤