Down syndrome, do not resuscitate

Forums › General Discussion › Down syndrome, do not resuscitate

243-165-789 Sep 13, 2012

A man with DS has had do not resuscitate attached to his notes in the event of a heart attack, this was without his or his family's consent, is this something peole think is up to the state/hospital to decide or is this something to be discussed with the patient/family regardless of disability.

More detail below :
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-19570364
The Rhino Sep 13, 2012

It's discrimination, pure and simple. In my mind everyone has the right to life if they choose it. If they are deemed not to have mental capacity under the mental health act then this decision must be made between the next of kin and medical practitioners, to leave the family out of any decision such as this is frankly immoral
🇺🇸FlightMedic🚁 Sep 13, 2012

Just because someone has downs (depending on the severity) does not make them incompetent to make their own decisions. Many people with downs live very independent and productive lives.
LaTortuga Sep 13, 2012

Many people with Downs live long productive lives. It's the side effects like the cardiac problems they need their physicians to watch. My friends Uncle Joe was around 65 when he died. He was one of the kindest people I ever met. Their should be a guardian if needed.