Sometimes, after a long struggle with illness and with full knowledge that death is certain and the future holds nothing but suffering, a person will decide to voluntarily stop eating and drinking (VSED), which hastens the inevitable end. In theory, your right to make decisions about your body is sacrosanct. However, in practice legal and family issues can conspire to block your stated desires. I have placed a full article about this subject on my website, but wanted to emphasize an important LGBT aspect to this issue. Should you ever decide to VSED, expect there to be a response from your family. It is important that you have completed a valid Medical Power of Attorney* naming a person who is aware of your desired plan and is possessed with a personality to stand up to the pressures, and perhaps legal actions, that your family might bring.
* Sometimes called a Living Will, Health Care Directive or Advanced Directive.
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