Family to see legalization of euthanasia in Texas for terminal patients

A report on ConnectAmarillo.com said that a Texas family is lobbying for the legal euthanasia in the state for terminally-ill patients, citing reasons that they do not want others to go through what they have endured with the eventual loss of a loved one.

Members of the Newton family are the survivors of 19 month-old Natalie, an active toddler who had met an accident in the family's backyard pool near Corpus Christi in September of last year. Natty, the child's pet name, was revived, but came back blind, deaf and immobile. Even with emergency care, doctors have deemed that Natty will not be able to survive after over an hour without oxygen. ConnectAmarillo said that even the ethics committee of the hospital where Natty received immediate treatment also agreed with the doctors.

However, there was one question that everyone was having difficulty to come to terms to, and without violating any federal laws. Everyone was stumped as to how Natty should die. In Texas, the state only allows "passive euthanasia," or discontinuing life support under the Texas Advance Directives Act or the Texas Futile Care Law.

It was not indicated in the report whether the legal option has been offered to the Newton family by the hospital. On the other hand, it was said in the report that the only option under Texas law that was provided to Natty's family was withholding her nutrition.

Although the Newton family agreed to the decision, the next eight and a half days were excruciating, as the toddler managed to remain alive until she took her last breath.

Grandfather Bradley Newton had said, "That's just the most cruel, inhumane thing," Newton said. "We euthanize dogs for humanity reasons, we euthanize serial killers but, a 21-month old baby has to starve for almost nine days? I want the laws changed so you have an option to go peacefully if you want for the dignity of yourself and your family."

ConnectAmarillo.com said the family is currently travelling to share their story and hoping to convince lawmakers to pass such law into effect.

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Newton family legal euthanasia, Natalie Newton legal euthanasia legislation proposal

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