Last week we chronicled the life of Britney Maynard, the 29-year-old Oregon woman dying of brain cancer, who chose the time her life would end. Contrast that with the life of Lauren Hill, a 19-year-old Ohio athlete, also dying from brain cancer. Lauren has chosen to instead maximize her believed last few days, however long that may be. Both stories have garnered significant, national news.
The day after Britney died, Lauren played her first and only college basketball game for Mt. St. Joseph University, despite her rapidly declining health. As observed by Xavier University men’s head basketball coach, Chris Mack, in a USA Today editorial: “She did it in front of 10,250 watery-eyed locals, with a few celebrities to boot. She scored a layup on the first possession of the game, and scored another basket just before the final buzzer. The game was held at Xavier’s Cintas Center, and MSJ beat Hiram 66-55. It very well could have been held at Paul Brown Stadium if not for the Jaguars/Bengals game — the only difference would have been that there would have been more tears.”
Lauren feels called to spend this time amidst her suffering encouraging other people. She has said: “One January night, I was having a meltdown. I asked God if I could do anything. I didn’t know what He sent me here for. I wanted to know what He sent me here for. Whatever you sent me here for, I’m ready to do… What keeps me going is remembering why I’m here… I told (God) I’d take every opportunity to speak for the kids who can’t speak… I’m spreading awareness on a level that’s never been spread before. I really hope it’s going to bring a change to the world. Being able to have this opportunity is all I’ve wanted and prayed for.”
Neither Britney nor Lauren should be judged for their different approaches to life’s end. Each of us has to figure out our path, wrestling with the God of the universe in how our thinking aligns with him. Britney and Lauren, no less, prompt the Intramuralist to ask multiple, major questions… like…
What does dying with dignity actually mean?
Does suffering equate to no dignity?
Is there any value in suffering?
Where are we “playing God” — in the ending, extending, or sustaining of life?
Is “playing God” wrong?
And a last pair of questions, that always cause me to loop through some transparently tough, emotional gymnastics: what does “quality of life” mean? … and who is capable of defining such?
Being the parent of a special needs child has strongly challenged my thinking. It’s not that I know best nor that my experience translates into truth for all people. Yet what is true about the experience manifest in my household is that I care for a son who many — especially in academia — assume to have a lesser quality of life. He’s got a cognitive disability; his fine and gross motor skills are a little off. Yesterday, by the way, he accidentally, almost (thanks, God!) made an $80,000 purchase on my laptop precisely because of his impairment. But is his quality of life any lesser? I would challenge any to get to know my Josh… get to know how he loves people… get to know how he loves and encourages others arguably better than you and me… get to know how he reads people and how he loves life. Then let’s talk about “quality of life.” My simple point is I’m not sure all our measurements are all that accurate.
This end of life bit is a curious thing. It’s an easy place where judgment, arrogance, and lack of Godly submission creeps in. It’s hard. I pray we learn from the examples of Britney Maynard and Lauren Hill. There is much to learn and the answers are not neat, simple, nor easy.
Said by a local reporter covering Lauren’s thought to be final days… “Lauren will shine brightly until her light is extinguished. Even then, she hopes she’ll be remembered for the good she did. This is how to script the most perfect ending to this most imperfect story. It’s spectacular how the imminence of death can prompt so much living. That’s Lauren’s gift. To us all.”
What a gift indeed. P.S. I think Lauren’s light will shine even longer than that.
Respectfully…
AR