What is on my mind right now is the recent decision of Timothy E. Bowers, 32, of Decatur, Ind., to end his life Sunday by telling doctors to remove his breathing tube, according to cnn.com.

Bowers, who was hunting in his tree stand Saturday afternoon when he fell 16 feet to the ground, was paralyzed because of a spinal injury and paralysis, according to cnn.com.

Ironically, not too long before the accident Bowers had a conversation with his family and wife proclaiming his disinterest in living in a wheelchair.

He did not want to ever have to do it.

Bowers’ family reportedly asked him personally if he wanted to live life in a wheelchair and Bowers shook his head no.

According to cnn.com, this is a decision that Arthur L. Caplan, medical ethicist at New York University, believes is likely to change for patients after they have had a few days for the issue to fully sink in.

Yet with Bowers’ previous statements, doctors and his family was positive about his decision.
Bowers reportedly passed away Sunday evening.

I support and see why Bowers would wish to end his life instead of living the rest of his life in a wheelchair. If it were me, I do not think I would like to live that way either.

However, according to cnn.com, Bowers and his wife were expecting a baby.

That is such a tough situation that I do not know what I would do.

Leaving behind a wife and child would be a heart-wrenching decision to make, but Bowers made it.
Throughout this ordeal, Bowers and his family were strong through their decision making.

This just goes to show that at some point or other in your life it is important to have this conversation with family and friends were something to ever arise.

It is difficult, awkward and most definitely scary but it needs to be done.

I myself have never given this subject a thought until I heard about Bowers and his unfortunate accident.

I also understand why someone would never wish to speak of something like this unless the accident actually happened.

However, were this conversation not to take place before his accident, Bowers request to remove his breathing tube may have been denied or further postponed — causing him to suffer more in a way he wished not to endure.