I'm scared to death of becoming disabled.

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I need one of those.


So here's Ana54's advance directive for medical staff and family, so far:


1. Regardless of my condition, please assume that I have full cognitive function and am aware of what is going on around me, and treat me accordingly. Do not treat me like an animal, a machine, a child, a ret*d or, most of all, an inanimate object.


2. Regardless of the condition I am in when you tell me, I want you (the medical staff) to tell me the whole truth and nothing but the truth about my condition.


3. If I can't move, and especially if I can't talk either, please stimulate me by talking to me, touching me, reading to me, turning on the TV for me, taking me places, etc.


4. If I am declared dead, please leave my remains alone in a non-freezing environment until they begin to decompose, to ensure that I am really dead.

Ok - If you "scared to death", would it change anything in this respect? No? So why bother?

To be scared about something which is out of your control does not help anything or anyone. If it happens, it happens, if not it will not happen.

So? Why this self-inflicted extra stress? Enjoy life as long as you can! Open a bottle of good wine or read a book or do something else which causes you pleasure.

Making an advance directive is the only proactive thing to do and therefore the only thing that makes me feel better. And I just wrote one, and now I feel better. Now I just need to find out how to make it legal.