What do we mean by 'quality of life'?
Watch this postDuring a recent discussion someone mentioned 'quality of life', but what does this actually mean? One dictionary definition states "The standard of health, comfort, and happiness experienced by an individual or group" but how can this be measured? I have a step-granddaughter with severe special needs and we have been told by complete strangers that she should not be allowed to live has she has no quality of life but what do they mean and how can they comment?
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I worked with mental handicap for over thirteen years, my last job. Once the chap I was supporting was taken short and had a personal accident. We were near a local supermarket and I took him into their toilet to clean him up. In his distress he decorated the walls. The manageress was absolutely marvellous. Didn't freak out at all, closed the toilet to the public and offered the services of an employee with nursing experience.
She has been on my list of heroes ever since and I would love to have had the chance to tell this to those people.
Keith
There has been a lot of discussion about people's right to end their lives when they find it unbearable and I confess to agreeing with that being a basic human right.
Then when I saw this thread I was pleased to be able to post a link about a truly amazing young man who was featured on our local news today with locked in syndrome.
I will leave you to watch and decide whether he has quality of life.
http://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/2016-10-06/teenager-with-locked-in-syndrome-makes-powerful-film/
Having posted on the subject of Changing Places some time ago, one has to question whether having to put her on the floor of a disabled public toilet to change her nappy (she is 19) affects her quality of life but people not exposed to such indignities rarely consider such things.