Nancy Cruzan
Encyclopedia
Nancy Beth Cruzan was a figure in the right-to-die
movement. After an automobile accident left her in a persistent vegetative state
, her family petitioned in courts for three years, as far as the U.S. Supreme Court
(Cruzan v. Director, Missouri Department of Health
), to have her feeding tube
removed. The Court initially denied the family's request, citing lack of evidence of Cruzan's wishes. The family's request was ultimately granted by providing additional evidence. On December 15, 1990, the tube was removed and she died 12 days later.
(PVS). Surgeons inserted a feeding tube for her long-term care. Her sister, and parents waited for a more substantial recovery, but eventually, after four years, accepted that there was no hope.
Euthanasia
Euthanasia refers to the practice of intentionally ending a life in order to relieve pain and suffering....
movement. After an automobile accident left her in a persistent vegetative state
Persistent vegetative state
A persistent vegetative state is a disorder of consciousness in which patients with severe brain damage are in a state of partial arousal rather than true awareness. It is a diagnosis of some uncertainty in that it deals with a syndrome. After four weeks in a vegetative state , the patient is...
, her family petitioned in courts for three years, as far as the U.S. Supreme Court
Supreme Court of the United States
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all state and federal courts, and original jurisdiction over a small range of cases...
(Cruzan v. Director, Missouri Department of Health
Cruzan v. Director, Missouri Department of Health
Cruzan v. Director, Missouri Department of Health, 497 U.S. 261 , was a United States Supreme Court case argued on December 6, 1989 and decided on June 25, 1990...
), to have her feeding tube
Feeding tube
A feeding tube is a medical device used to provide nutrition to patients who cannot obtain nutrition by swallowing. The state of being fed by a feeding tube is called gavage, enteral feeding or tube feeding...
removed. The Court initially denied the family's request, citing lack of evidence of Cruzan's wishes. The family's request was ultimately granted by providing additional evidence. On December 15, 1990, the tube was removed and she died 12 days later.
Car accident
On January 11, 1983, she lost control of her old car that had no seat belts, was thrown from it and landed face down in a water-filled ditch. Paramedics found her with no vital signs, but they resuscitated her. After a couple weeks of remaining dormant within a coma, she was diagnosed as being in a persistent vegetative statePersistent vegetative state
A persistent vegetative state is a disorder of consciousness in which patients with severe brain damage are in a state of partial arousal rather than true awareness. It is a diagnosis of some uncertainty in that it deals with a syndrome. After four weeks in a vegetative state , the patient is...
(PVS). Surgeons inserted a feeding tube for her long-term care. Her sister, and parents waited for a more substantial recovery, but eventually, after four years, accepted that there was no hope.
External links
- http://www.sclhsc.org/mission_vision_values/ethics/nancy_cruzan.asp
- http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/him/nancycruzan.cfm
- http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/conlaw/cruzan.html
- http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/programs/transcripts/1014.html