WRITTEN v. VIDEO
In My Own Words™, a Video Advance Directive, will enhance your written advance directives and not replace them.
Nothing is more compelling than a video representation of you describing the care you will want for yourself.
For more information on In My Own Words™ Video Advance Directive Recording Services please visit the website
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IN MY OWN WORDS™
VIDEO ADVANCE DIRECTIVES
RECALLING TERRI SCHIAVO
Terri Schiavo taught the nation an unforgettable lesson, the indisputable value of having an advance directive. In 1990, at 33 years of age, Terri Schiavo had cardiac arrest. Paramedics tried in vain to revive her but she fell into a Persistent Vegetative State (PVS). In the beginning she was given rehabilitation to no avail. Her husband earned degrees in respiratory therapy and emergency room nursing in order to help her recover. After more than 8 years in a PVS, he began efforts to have her feeding tube disconnected to let her die in peace. Her parents fought against him, and since Terri did not have a written advance directive, the case was litigated in court for more than seven years. The court decided to allow removal of the feeding tube, twice. However, subsequent court decisions had it reinserted. In 2005, it was removed for a third and final time. Terri Schiavo passed away peacefully within two weeks of the removal.
WRITTEN ADVANCE DIRECTIVES
Advance Directives are a legal document describing your medical wishes in the event that you cannot advocate for yourself. It addresses use of life support systems such as a ventilator, feeding tube, dialysis, CPR, surgery, organ donation, blood transfusion, and medications. You can designate a health care agent to make decisions for you, specify if you want nursing home care, or stipulate if you want an autopsy.
The most common written advance directive is issued by the California Medical Association (CMA). There are also lesser-known alternatives. However, one of the problems with the written documents is that patients are forced to choose one form over the other since a medical chart can only contain one version.
IN MY OWN WORDS™ is a service providing a video advance directive. The video version will enhance your written advance directives and not replace them. Nothing is more compelling than a video representation of you describing the care you will want for yourself. In addition to reiterating your life support decisions, you can express your personal wishes in a video advance directive. For example, you may request music in your room, someone to hold your hand, read poetry, or reminisce. You can also request to have your pets with you and describe your hopes and wishes for your children and grandchildren. The video can be stored on a DVD, CD, flash drive or hard drive and easily downloaded to a cell phone, iPod or other music/video players. Copies of the video can be sent to your family, physician, attorney, or health care facility.
DOWNLOADABLE
The video can be stored on a DVD, CD, flash drive or hard drive and easily downloaded to a cell phone, iPod or other music/video players. Copies of the video can be sent to your family, physician, attorney, or health care facility.