Yet within one month they all begin to fight. In the end, almost no one wishes for death after the fact of quadriplegia is accepted. On the contrary, these young people accept on a daily basis what seems inconceivable. They work and take joy in aspects of life which those without disability consider given. Their injury creates individuals of uncommon determination and equanimity.
Life is viewed from a different perspective, but it is no less valuable.
The very circumstances in which euthanasia is considered are circumstances of depression when rational, informed decisions are unlikely to be made. The tradition of medicine is to support life and alleviate suffering of all persons regardless of their circumstances. The convicted murderer is to be accorded the same basic medical care as the saint. The Hippocratic oath and medical tradition forbid deliberate termination of life. The taking of active measures to terminate life will probably alter physician judgment about when and in whom to use medical treatments.