Physician Assisted Suicide Case Study

During one of my shifts at the Montfort emergency room, there was a young woman that had just been admitted after having attempted suicide. She was alone, scared and confused by what was happening. The confusion caused her to be extremely distraught and none of the healthcare staff were able to console her.

As I was doing my rounds, I began cleaning up the bed next to hers. As I was cleaning she began conversing with me very casually about the weather. As we continued our conversation about nothing in particular, I noticed that the nurses and physicians were observing me in awe. This was the first time the patient had actually spoken to anyone since she had been admitted.

Throughout her stay in the emergency room and with the approval

of her physician, I stayed alongside her and brought her to her tests and scans and although my shift had long since finished, I stayed with her just as I promised I would.

This was the night that I truly discovered the joy you feel when you touch another person. Although I was no nurse or physician, just a volunteer, I was able to provide this young woman with the comfort and support she needed. The profound joy you feel after healing another person, even with something as simple as a conversation, is unlike any other. It is the thought of being able to experience such joy again that I find great peace.