How About A Forum to Learn About 'Life, Death, Organ Donation.Consciousness After Death, Religious and Spiritual Insights?"
Maybe It's Too Much to ASK, yet if we have the time and fortitude, the online and personal inquiry efforts pooled to review publicly and thoroughly the deep and important issues that pertain to each and every human being, and many 'in utero or in test tubes or the embryo stage outside of the womb'...well, what might that help us figure out, and what might that mean for the realm of understanding, facing and making decisions about in vitro, pregnancy, early hours, days and weeks of pregnancy, birth control measures, abortion at various stages, the ending of a human's life upon partial birth delivery (whether legal or not) and many aspects of sustaining human life when a person is not conscious or physically able to breathe or take food on their own and is not conscious or able to say whether they wanted that in advance or may be indicating they do or don't want that?
What about 'bringing a person back to life' if they've had a witnessed heart attack or loss of life or if they are found deceased but still may be able to be brought back to life? Most people may have heard they can appoint someone to make all manner of healthcare decisions (or certain ones) including withholding fluids or artificial nutrition, or breathing assitance.
The medical protocol is mainly geared to promoting and prolonging life, no matter the state of a person's mental or physical being or decline, even if deemed imminently terminal or in great pain. Every year and decade new aspects are discussed and some laws passed, some along the lines of 'death with dignity' that would allow for physician-assisted ending of one's life if certain conditions were met. Some other countries may be more flexible and permissive.
There are many matters people likely would like more information on and may consider from time to time. Knowing how to make one's choices known in various circumstances can be an ongoing process if not stress. Clarifying terms and being accurate in conveying them in writing and conversations to one's healthcare representative (or other such person however they are named) or a first or second alternate can be a daunting task or challenging to keep 'up to date' with phone numbers (and a back up person who can contact them in a short amount of time.)
A basic 'map or maze' of what needs doing, who needs to be informed, practicing the talks and making updates, making some calls to keep in touch and provide some basic medical updates so people are 'in the loop' can be a full-time job for each person to get help with from others and inquire on behalf of those they are supposed to be able to help.
Wating for an emergency is not the best time to 'give it a test run.' Rather finding ways to 'replicate one's function and resources' in terms of helping people access 'the story of one's life' in a notebook with pertinent information regarding health, paying household and other bills, mapping out routines and contact people from family and friends, neighbors and local resource people and even online friends (Facebook and otherwise with emails and phone numbers) could prove highly valuable even to handle other kinds of concerns.
As for birth control education and options, every community could have some 'go-to' people and resources, even to allow some online access to help each person learn safe sensible lessons about their biology, their safety in relationships (whether with family, friends, professionals or an intimate partner) so one does not feel pressured and coerced to comply with someone's expectations of them in any role, but particularly in a dating or mating situation.
That is not an easy thing to spell out in many cultures over time, but it is becoming more necessary and practical whether in schools, in workplaces, in roles in communities and in many other aspects of a community socially and otherwise. Who is really available for any other person to turn to for help and guidance, education and even funds or supplies such as condoms, diaphragms, spermicidal creme or other basic forms of birth control, based on the laws and legal options in one's culture and geographic area.
Having funds to help or a supply of Plan B pills (which prevent a pregnancy but do not cause one to end I think) available to a woman who requests one in a discreet secure manner may be a reasonable goal for any town or state. Understanding how any form of birth control 'really works' in terms of preventing an egg and sperm from joining or causing a period (even after an egg is fertilized or implanted in the uterine lining) is worth each person comprehending not only physically but also in consideration of the many theories regarding 'when does life begin?"
Would it be reasonable to give all children information by age 6-8 about the possibility of 'life' starting upon conception and what that would mean in terms of 'a special energy that may be like one's personality or a deeper aspect of a person than we understand'...as well as the physical beginning of a human form of life which is created by an egg from a female and a sperm from a male?
The health of the mother would be important to discuss as well, and the aspects of emotional connection and physical interaction that is involved (even without penetration at times) that could result in a pregnancy. Again understanding what the legal and logistical terms of consent are in any country or state would be important for not only the adults of minors but for minors themselves to appreciate.
Some laws hold that if a female becomes pregnant then the male who got her pregnant can avoid a criminal charge if it was non-consensual or she was underage if they get married. Maybe those laws are not as common now in the US but likely hold in many places around the world.
That would likely indicate that females would need more protection and should be very well informed about risks that could happen just trying to go about their lives. Some cultures provide more group or chaperoned kinds of living, or even require it, while others 'hope for the best.' Unfortunately even in modern America, many rapes are not reported to others who could take measures to safeguard a female (or male from another male or a stronger female. or female from another female as the case may be although that likely is more rare.)
The complications many people have learned about whether arising out of 'base instincts' not unlike animals many of whom do not discriminate who they mate with, or other psycho social deviations or variations depending on how one views it are far more common to identify in modern times and seek earlier efforts to prevent or intervene.
Unfortunatly for many vulnerable populations there is not a meaingful response from people in their social or wider community circles. The travesty of corruption or difficulty in society seems complex and rather rampant in many sectors of society.
The abuses of those in protective agency systems and their networks (behind the scenes) or in more blatant areas (such as some foster care policies in NY allowing for children to be mistreated with hardly any way to intervene from some reports) can alarm the general public. Yet mainly 'everybody's too busy' to stop and think serious matters through whether it's harm to children or women...or black men by white (or any color) police.
These difficulties are all coming to light slowly but surely. Mainly advocates working tirelessly over decades and doing the difficult work of facing the horrors, analyzing pitfalls in the legal or social service systems, examining the underbelly side of 'family court' where abusive men seem to have a field day taking kids from their protective mothers and caring very little if that has a huge negative impact on them mentally if not otherwise and destroys social networks of support often times. Again the public is confused and then some, and turns away, hoping people can work things out 'in private' and not wanting to seem they are prying. Please, PRY AWAY!
Crimes in families are worse than those done in public for all to see and for a world to rally about. While there may be derision and corruption in the realm of the police force acrosss the United States for instance, at least those are strangers 'doing their job' or in a spontaneous hostile edgy situation and often acting under duress.
They are not the closest people to the children or an adult female victim who they may know for years or have tried to be loving to or seeking to make amends or contribute to over months, years or decades. Too often if a father of children hurt the mother or the kids it is to show Whose Boss, Who's in control even if acting very out of control...and the Courts Award that to the common extent of dismissing and punishing a mother for speaking up, if she's even permitted to do so.
The evidence presented by Joan Meier can be found online. Longterm advocacy from CA Protective Parents Association and from Battered Mothers Custody Conference describes the horror of hundreds of children being killed by their own fathers or by a step-fathers or boyfriends. That's not counting so-called 'honor-killings' which is ways are even worse since those fathers and brothers are acting to 'protect a family's dignity.'
Clearly some wires are getting crossed not only amidst males in certain families but in cultures and religions. There are many broken parts of society and our systems...so there is a ton of work to do. Unfortunately it can become overwhelming and seem pointless to care for many.
Tuning out the concerns of one group seems 'reasonable' and maybe necessary to 'get something done' in one area before considering another topic. But in the age of computers to help network and spell things out for more to comprehend and address together, the important matters can rise to the top and change can occur in more hearts and minds 'all at once.'
I know I am covering an Awful lot of topics and ground in this one post...and haven't even gotten to basics like organ or tissue donation should someone be interested in that for themselves or someone they are making those decisions for (as a parent or relative, hopefully having spoken with that person and again, reviewing what various traditions believe. ) Some feel that consciousness is still in the body for 8 hours after death..and that removing parts of a body would impact a future incarnation negatively. Others feel that making such a donation would enhance one's next life or be a generous gift to help balance karma.
Some may feel making a donation of blood even while alive is forbidden or against one's religion because they consider that 'their spirit lives in their blood.' (I believe there's more on that on JW.org) Other main religions who have views on such things (pro, con or neutral) include Catholicism (no prohibition of organ donation and allows for cremation now although did not do so traditionally as far as I know. They also have Catholic cemeteries which may have special life requirements of those being buried there.), Judiaism (Orthodox do not allow for disturbing the body and mainly have a burial of the body within 24 hours or as soon as possible,no cremation.) Some cultures perform a cremation as part of a religious ritual. I know someone who flew to Cambodia to be with part of his family whose child died and whose body was part of such a ritual funeral. The mother found comfort in having the traditional passage done even though it was difficult, believing the child's spirit would be set free I believe.j Some stipulations about 'who can be a donor' would be worth reviewing in each country. Some people donate their body to science or their brain 'to Harvard' yet there may be guidelines and preparation needed. Sometimes there are special networks of support and ongoing ways to be informed about recipients or work being done linked to the donations. As for Buddhism, there are some schools that do not give guidance whether 'for or against' organ donation. Some schools of thought such as with Rudolf Steiner (anthroposophy) offer that a human spirit takes 'three days' to disembark fully from the human body. They promote the idea of a 3 day vigil with the body on dry ice or other similar way to preserve the flesh (and prevent decay or smell) but have the body exposed to help the spirit ease gently out of the body. Ideally with some fresh air (opening a window can symbolically and even practically allow for a spirit to transition many feel), kind people the person knew, gentle talking and light music and candles can assist with helping living people feel at ease in bidding their friend, family member or fellow human being a supportive transition from this world to the next. This kind of care for people who are dying and then who die and have a vigil is called Threshold Work. The book Living Into Dying by Nancy Poer Jewel is a lovely tribute to work she did with others as a death midwife (or what is more commonly known now as a death doula.)Of course in hospitals, nursing homes and in hospice, a nurse often fills that role as may other support people.
Everyone can learn to care for others through online youtube talks for home health aides, helping someone dress, eat, move to a chair or a bed, be changed in bed, be cleaned with a bed bath (even helping wash someone's hair with a shallow pan in a clean plastic trash bag to keep it waterproof and comfortable under one's neck...not too high of a tub for instance and pouring small amounts of water, then emptying it into a bucket nearby.) Helping someone eat, drink (monitoring food closely to prevent choking or pocketing in the back of the mouth or under the tongue, and not choking on liquids if that is a risk so using thickener as may be recommended since some people cannot swallow water or juice etc.)
Learning to become comfortable brushing someone's hair, and even their teeth can be something older children could learn as well under supervision. In terms of changing someone who is incontinent and needs adult 'diapers' or briefs or pads, that is also online or can be learned with practice, using rubber gloves, having fresh supplies closeby, having cleaning wipes and a garbage bag handy, cleaning carefully and thoroughly, one area then the next, and having a person roll from one side to another to slide a new brief under the person, then having them roll to the other side and pulling that brief through.
Finding ways to address the person needing care in respectful ways, acknowledging them by name as they prefer, taking things slowly, pacing routines and keeping talk light and focused on them (not even the serious news of the day or any personal concerns) can be a plus and is standard care in many facliities
. There ideally are ways to interact with people socially and even recreationally, watching a program, listening to music, possibly singing simple songs and telling some stories or hearing books on tape among other things that may be of interest. Having a plant to water (indoors or out), a pet to talk about (in the neighborhood or even a stuffed animal or nice doll or other project like a simple puzzle or game) can all enliven the day. If a person gets confused as it gets dark, that can be 'sundowning' and may require more supports and cues to help the person remember it's night not dawn.
Overall getting good sleep can help the person and if they need support for that, talk with their doctor or consider seeing natural remedies and routines that may help with that such as getting a half hour of sunlight at 7 am to 'set one's natural melatonin levels'. A small amount of melatonin may be sufficient to help one sleep while more than 5mg may not have any more of an effect, one doctor mentioned to me. But check with your practitioner before using any natural supplements or prescribed ones too.
It's rather helpful to see it done and to have a second person help if there is any concern about the person's mobility or falling. Ideally a bed would be in a secure but workable position to access both sides of the bed or have railings the person could use to help pull themselves up and hold onto as needed. Well with the basics of helping someone dress, put shoes and socks on, stay warm and comforable, get in a wheel chair or use a walker, sit up safely to eat or be fed and so on, that's the basic set of ADLs, Activities of Daily Living.
Those are a key way to monitor and chart someone's health and functionality. Having reasonable social interactions and competencies to live independently or with support are things more people could help one another understand are the 'guidelines' that even medical doctors and other agencies and so on may be 'on the look out for.' People need to be deemed functionally competent to maintain an independent lifestyle even if getting a lot of help.
If someone has major mobility issues, and needs assistance to stand and walk that may be a time when a person is required to live with them or be checked on often. With a 'call button for help' that they wear that may 'buy them time' and allow for independence but if they fall that may become a problem if an ambulance is called to help them either once (in some states) or more often.
That's where family, friends, neighbors and others could be promoting layers of support and even supervision (possibly with cameras if the person agrees) to have some back up ways to check for safety. A lot of what a person is used to detemines what kind of lifestyle, routine and how much support and so on they would want or allow. Often a few friends helping now and then and getting some household help for cleaning, errands and medical and social appointments can help people feel more at east accepting for help and even making requests, possibly allowing someone to work for them more often or even live with them from time to time or test out various arrangements with programs or occassional sleepover help. That can all take months if not years, depending on someone's needs, the climate and other concerns (such as the COVID19 pandemic) which can impact larger segments of society for longer periods of time.
