October 2007 Newsletter
Back to Main Newsletters Page"A man, even if seriously ill or disabled in the exercise of his highest functions, is and always will be a man, and he will never become a 'vegetable' or an 'animal.' "
-- Pope John Paul II
Just over two years ago, I wrote in this monthly letter about the heartbreaking death of Terri Schiavo.
You probably remember the case: Schiavo was the disabled Florida woman who, with the blessing of the courts, was starved to death when the tube that provided her food and water was removed - in defiance of the wishes of her parents and siblings. She died on March 31, 2005.
The ordeal of Terri Schiavo provoked a nationwide conversation about "quality of life" issues, and that conversation continues today. Recently the Vatican made headlines when it issued a statement that reaffirmed long-standing Church teaching on how profoundly disabled persons are to be treated.
The Vatican stated, "A patient in a 'permanent vegetative state' is a person with fundamental human dignity and must, therefore, receive ordinary and proportionate care which includes, in principle, the administration of water and food even by artificial means."
The Church's statement also cited a 2004 address by Pope John Paul II, in which he said, "the intrinsic value and personal dignity of every human being do not change, no matter what the concrete circumstances of his or her life. A man, even if seriously ill or disabled in the exercise of his highest functions, is and always will be a man, and he will never become a 'vegetable' or an 'animal.'"
I can think of no words that more succinctly describe what it means to be authentically pro-life! No matter what happens to us in the "concrete" things of life, nothing can ever rob us of our intrinsic dignity, which comes from God. We can never be reduced to a 'vegetable' or 'animal' - no matter how persistently those labels may be applied to a particular person, or group of people.
The Life Principles curriculum we teach at Healing the Culture is a powerful tool for changing the way our culture views persons who suffer from terminal illnesses or injuries, old age, minimally conscious states, dementia, and other serious physically or mentally debilitating illnesses.
I recently returned from Notre Dame University, where I taught a two-day seminar to a group of pre-med students on how to look for, and see, the intrinsic dignity, unique mystery, and inherent "lovableness" in every patient they treat, no matter how profound the suffering or disability.
This seminar was organized by the Pathos Project, which seeks to address shortcomings in how health care professionals deal with issues of suffering, especially focusing on the "depersonalization" that patients frequently experience (learn more at www.pathos-project.org).
The Pathos Project has incorporated Healing the Culture's Life Principles curriculum as part of its program. Our seminar with the pre-med students includes two days of intensive training. Students are taught the philosophical grounds for human dignity, and receive practical training in compassionate visitation. After the seminar, they're required to practice what they've learned by visiting with vulnerable patients in nursing homes or hospitals.
We've now conducted two seminars in partnership with the Pathos Project, and we expect there will be many more in the future. I am excited about the impact we're having on men and women who will soon be in medical practice. Consider some of these comments from our student participants:
- "Learning about the overall attitude that is necessary to approach terminally ill patients is important. I think it's important that we be taught how to interact with patients before a lot of us enter medical school. To understand the philosophy and theology behind this was really important..."
- The topic itself challenges us to think and see in a new way... It was very relevant to students, and good preparation for the program."
- "The training was well-organized, and Camille gave us great information - both practical and philosophical. Great program!"
You're no doubt familiar with the adage, "It's better to light one candle than curse the darkness."
Every time you contribute to Healing the Culture, you allow programs such as our seminars for pre-med students to become a reality. You're lighting a candle that helps us illuminate the truth amidst widespread darkness. We're sharing that truth with people who will soon be leaders in shaping our culture's attitudes about the value of human life.
We view you as a partner in our mission, because without your faithful investment in this work we simply could not sustain our progress. I know you share our conviction that the vision stated by Pope John Paul II is worth fighting for. It's worth investing our time, our energy, and our financial gifts to make that vision a reality.
I thank you in advance for any support you can offer at this time to help us build a culture that cherishes every human person, especially those who are weak and vulnerable.
Blessings,
Camille Pauley
President
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