 Posted Wednesday, June 13, 2007 2:28 PM
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| I was wondering if the deaths of elderly Christian Scientists who may have lost their capacity to make decisions for themselves are similarly situated to the minor children who have suffered under Christian Science. I have an elderly grandmother who is obviously suffering from dementia but is having medical treatment withheld from her because the family feels that is what she would have wanted. However, she needs HELP and some relief. She is like a child and cannot remember anything anyway. I feel like the compassionate thing to do is to seek medical treatment for her which is against the family's wishes. A guardianship is out of the question because the person who is appointed under her legal papers to be her guardian in the event of incapacity is a CS. Contesting would cause a huge stink and may last longer than my grandmother has to live. Anyway, I would welcome any ideas on this topic. All of the press seems to be focused on the child cases (as it should) but it seems important to protect the elderly as well.
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Posted Thursday, June 14, 2007 3:02 PM
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| A couple of years ago I talked with a former CS nurse who definitely thinks that there is a lot of "elder abuse" within the context of CS care. It's a tougher problem to identify and legally challenge than child abuse since adults are supposedly capable of making their own decisions or of appointing someone who can do it for them. I feel for your grandmother.
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Posted Friday, June 15, 2007 12:38 PM
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Gentle Dove,
I was wondering if the deaths of elderly Christian Scientists who may have lost their capacity to make decisions for themselves are similarly situated to the minor children who have suffered under Christian Science.
Anytime we accept the responsibility for the care of another, we are bound to exercise our greatest sense of right regardless of age.
Genuine CSists in most cases believe they do that by turning over care to CS treatment. Many non-CSists go too far the other way in turning over care exclusively and without question to medical care.
CS has it right in one regard that God is the ultimate physician. Problem is they do not accept the fullness of His provision for care. Those who exclusively turn to medical care without question and without prayer are also in error.
MBE wrote about standing at the blackboard and merely praying the principles of mathematics. MBE ignores the chalk and those at the other extreme ignore the principles.
In caring for those at any age, we must pray for and exercise the full range of what God provides including faith, wisdom, compassion, and practical solutions.
Do Go Be Man
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