In 1988, she had similar but more extensive surgery than that scheduled for Tracy Latimer, the operation Latimer and his lawyer have called inhumane. The surgery, Snow says, worked and was well worth any risk. I can understand if someone decided on Tracy s behalf to have the surgery done in order to try to relieve her pain, says Snow. I can understand if someone decided on Tracy s behalf to refuse the surgery on the grounds that the risks were too great. I like the second decision less, but I can see how someone could go there.
Many human beings live their lives in pain.
What is unsupportable to me, she says, is Robert Latimer deciding not yes or no, but not ever. It is clear from his actions since killing Tracy that he does not want the same sort of attitude applied to himself. Many parents fear what might happen if the law is changed and parents who may feel isolated and depressed about their situation see no other solution. When we make medical decisions regarding her long-term health and well being, we've learned how critical it is to have support through this process. It's a horrendous responsibility for any parent and shouldn't be done in isolation.