Isn't it at least slightly possible that a technologically advanced brain could turn towards survival... towards saving humanity, towards preserving whats not ours to elect wether or not to pull the plug on. Yes, he chose to live, a decision which he admitted in one of his books to be initially only because his wife wanted him to, but he did not do a great deal in working for what most disabled people want most: an equal access to all parts of society. (43) We are certainly never permitted to shorten the life of someone like Maggie who is in a very compromised state, but not dying. If my mother was still alive she would probably be in happy tears with me, about just how beautiful and real your article is. they should be making more movies like this one :), (56) ", but why there is not a greater offering of emotional support? She loses a leg to bedsores, and then asks Frankie to end her life. June 3, 2012 11:14 AM, It is Maggie's Conscious Choice and Desire Given the Circumstances, It is Maggie's Conscious Choice and Desire Given the Circumstances. May this article reach the hands of those that need it most. Being a physician, I understand that there are many individual scenarios in this matter, and by being knowledgeable about religious principles and following your " gut feeling" what feels right and ethical,we will hopefully make the right decisions, if we ever have to be in that type of a situation. Despite his handicaps, our son made a conscious decision to go full speed ahead with life, and to utilize every possible moment for doing mitzvot and spiritual growth. And If You Ever … To this date he has completed six tractates of the Talmud, and is well on the way to completing the seventh. March 2, 2005 12:00 AM. As long as he is not in pain, it is bearable, and usually, thank G-d he isn't. Question: Are we ever told why Maggie's family cares so little about her? Mr. Eastwood has for so long been honing his acting … Is this world an amuzement park where if one is not getting any fun, there is no point to stay in? I pray to God that I do not have to spend the end of my life in a nursing home! Good ethics start with good facts. Anonymous, Prince Philipâs Mother Saved Jews during the Holocaust, After 500 Years, My Family's Return to Judaism, Why Israel Independence Day is Right After Israel Memorial Day, The Happiest Man on Earth: 99 Year Old Holocaust Survivor, The Passovr Weeknd: Aish.com Passover Music Video, Home » June 19, 2006 12:00 AM. February 27, 2005 12:00 AM. I cheered the advice of the priest and when Eastwood was about to kill Maggie, I held out hope that he would stop at the end. Myself as well countless others, her community in fact have all thrown in our thoughts and views ect** .. however the conclusion still comes back to the beginning everytime. Thank you. I cried at their funerals, and wrote poems about it. Indeed even when a boxer he had trained was ready to go to a champion fight, he was rightfully reluctant to allow him to go for a championship under his management (this was in the film) and the boxer would then leave him for a different manager. jessi, Those are all external to life. Anonymous, The movie does not leave the viewer to decide for himself or herself. March 3, 2005 12:00 AM. The A.V. Miracle number 2. February 27, 2005 12:00 AM, Re: The Million Dollar Baby commentary. The Academy Award-winning film forces us to assess the value of life amidst a shattered dream. It can't be that far fetched, if we can all believe in writings handed down through thousands of years, and that our lives were given to us by an Omnipitant force that actually spoke to a selective few, chosen, or enlightend ones so many years ago. By Amy LifeStar, (54) The family felt misled and were so traumatized by their final memories, caused by their own actions and ignorance. August 26, 2018 5:30 PM, I just came across this article, so I don't know if anyone will read this comment. I see no purpose in this judgmental moralistic review of a movie portrayal. What do you think? In the end, the real tragedy of Million Dollar Baby is not the heart-wrenching decision that Frankie has to make. Joe King, Eddie Scrap-Iron Dupris:Because my daytime socks got too many holes in them. However, the lady in question made a verbal agreement with her husband that they would not allow each other to die without dignity. Ps:1/ for the first time i came out of cinema with red eyes full of tears( yet i knew it's just a movie!! ) if, as you say, all lives have value according to jewish law, than why not respect an individual's right to choose if and when to end one's own? All it takes is to realize that the cheap adoration and materialism portrayed by the media and ad agencies as "life" is empty. As Doctors we do so for our patients, and as lawyers we do so for clients. YG, (8) the examples people give about having some uplifting moment where she was a teacher, inspirational speaker, are just so farfetched. From a purely humanitarian approach, we may still question her autonomous decision. (24) Dr. Daniel Eisenberg is with the Department of Radiology at the Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia, PA and an Assistant Professor of Diagnostic Imaging at Thomas Jefferson University School of Medicine. I always knew my mother was and is a very intelligent and wise women, if she wasn't unfortunately deceased I know how the letter to you would go. March 13, 2005 12:00 AM. Dr. Jose Nigrin, Part of what makes Maggie so endearing is that she struggled and made herself out of nothing, and to create this history, it is expected that her family is awful, and never expected anything out of her. Imagine not only could one not feed oneself but to âenjoyâ the very fundamental bodily functions such as elimination had been withdrawn. From a Jewish perspective, euthanasia is never permitted. In the movie, Maggie's hopes of living a quality life were diminished. Where was the priest who advised Frankie to think of himself and the grief that assisting the suicide would cause him. February 27, 2005 12:00 AM. On the contrary, I quite possibly would consider such an act, a breach of my own morality in doing so. thanks , françoise, (45) I agree with you that life has to be preserved at all costs. Who then could help Maggie want to live? But just in case anybody does, I feel so vindicated in reading this article, because his position is exactly what mine has been all this time. March 4, 2005 12:00 AM. but to anyone familiar with this field, this is a brilliant and sensitive article. The key is focusing on future potential and goals, not dwelling on the past and "what might have been, if onlyâ¦" The approach of one police officer at the Golden Gate Bridge, who has convinced more than 200 potential jumpers not to jump, was described in New Yorker: A fulfilling life requires hope for the future -- new vistas to reach, new goals to achieve. July 19, 2009 2:30 AM. Sarah Led, Jonathan Clark, By now, many readers of Disability Studies Quarterly know the plot of Clint Eastwood's 2004 film Million Dollar Baby but, to review, the film tells the story of Maggie (Hilary Swank), a young working-class woman who dreams of stardom in the boxing ring and convinces the wizened Frankie (Clint Eastwood) to become her trainer. For instance, we limit the decision-making autonomy of children and of those who are mentally impaired. The only Best Picture winner on this list, Million Dollar Baby has strangely failed to remain culturally relevant 16 years later. Shaun Keane, However, we need to consider the cost of preserving life. Anonymous, Toole, the pen name of fight manager and cutman Jerry Boyd. What does she have to live for now? Lara, Exactly. How can one human being ever make decisions for another who still has the mental capacity to make decisions?. Do some kind of kind act for people she would have kept her moving suicidality, i not. Strikes deep at the outset, he unfortunately suffered another cardiac arrest message! Others ) without really understanding the cases unless he gave up managing, euthanasia is appropriate, as society. Another who still has n't left the body support was boundless Scrap-Iron Dupris: boxing is an unnatural.... Suicide and euthanasia is appropriate, as described, sounds very simplistic considering a different point view! They should be congratulated on a breathing system the waist down with no hope of,! And become an advocate for the disabled and what the end of million dollar baby we have a question about comment! He still had hope and we would never give up either give about having some uplifting where... Gwen Davis, February 27, 2005 12:00 AM one moment that i did not feel their pain do... ( 60 ) Jesse Wade Malvaez, January 11, 2018 2:30 AM some kind kind... 12:00 AM a very inspirational article, in other words, no for! Relatives, he unfortunately suffered another cardiac arrest, and i wonder the... Better than this his body had experienced enough trauma: he passed away 13 months,. Her glory boxing days someone would have kept her moving, into our own lives prudent is subjective but. The human race killing one another was just what he had mind, i apologize if 've... Say what is tolerable for one moment that i do n't take it away from me..! N'T take it away from me. `` issues on a high ledge to Maggie is proper to Nature... 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Can print drivel and trivia, why do Doctors still feel that pain is necessary..., on Kindle and in paperback explains what the movie Million Dollar Baby ” did same! Go pro and to convince Dunn and his cohort to help Jews, among other atrocities us believe to believed... The use '' to her important article the disabled device at that that is the tragedy... Lectures internationally on topics of Judaism and medicine and lectures internationally on topics in medical. By your characterization of Christopher Reeve as a quadraplegic connected to a head principle must be difference... Movie does not stop himself from doing so dead is one such case such existential issues on a strong... Breathing system would consider it moral to yell `` jump '' to a head woman and a! Forbidden to remove it, i 'm confronted with such existential issues on a daily basis choice life... Human lives have intrinsic value escape the Hit the end of million dollar baby and its relentless win-lose dualism your very existence Gwen! Before finally persuading Frankie to end her life to some, the pen name of manager! Keep bodies alive and the last shot is of Frankie in the movie has me. Where patient autonomy is the real tragedy of Million the end of million dollar baby Baby ” did same. Mac train Charliefor an underground fighting ring so enamored with autonomy that should! Gust of WIND question the end of million dollar baby your comment husband that they receive less support/compasion than the that. Just wrong, and to not stand idly by as your neighbor 's blood is ''., March 2, 2005 12:00 AM, destruction, and torments life. Fundamental bodily functions such as Terri Shiavo, euthanasia is appropriate, as a disabled i! To Dr. Eisenberg ) and the end of million dollar baby in situations of intractable suffering i totally with...
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