Maddamma is all of 65 years. She is virtually blind thanks to poorly done cataract surgeries done in a camp many years ago - the thick spectacles being testimony of the same. She has been virtually abandoned by her sons, two of them, who have migrated to towns and cities for better jobs. The lack of rains coupled with poor landholdings has ensured that the family can not survive on agriculture. So what happens to an old woman who is "unproductive" as she is weak, infirm and can not see - GERIATRICIDE.
She was brought to us in a moribund condition - fever for three months, malnourished and we thought so thats it.
Modern antibiotics and good nursing care did the trick. She is now OK. But what about her future. Who will support her, feed her?? Was it ethical to treat and prolong life so that she will continue suffering?
I do not know - I have no answers only a whole lot of questions.
1 comment:
Everyone has the ability to kill themselves. It is an illusion that it is too difficult. If they suffer too much they can easily find a way. It is when we start intervening that we open Pandora's box of immorality.
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