32-yo Newlywed & Father-to-be, Paralyzed, Chooses Exit

[IC10021]

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Paralyzed Indiana hunter opts to end life

http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/06/us/par...ife/index.html



Paralyzed Indiana hunter opts to end life

By Steve Almasy and Michael Martinez, CNN

Paralyzed 32-year-old man chooses death

Decatur, Indiana (CNN) -*It's a grim topic: What would you want if you were on life support after a life-altering accident? Would you want to live in a wheelchair, or would you want to die? An Indiana deer hunter and father-to-be who was left paralyzed after falling from a tree chose the latter, state authorities said Wednesday.

Timothy E. Bowers, 32, of Decatur was hunting Saturday afternoon when he fell about 16 feet to the ground from a tree stand, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources said.

Bowers suffered a spine injury and paralysis, authorities said.On Sunday, he chose "to remove himself from life support systems," the department said in a statement. He died that evening.Bowers was a newlywed; he married Abbey Logan on August 3.The Haggard-Sefton & Hirschy Funeral Home of Decatur said memorials could go to the couple's Baby Bowers Education Fund.

His widow is expecting a baby, family friend Bill Whitright told CNN.

"The last thing he wanted was to be in a wheelchair," theIndianapolis Star quoted*Abbey Bowers as saying Wednesday. "... He would never be able to give hugs, to hold his baby. We made sure he knew that, so he could make a decision. Even if he decided the other thing, the quality of life would've been very poor. His life expectancy would be very low.""He had such a strong faith that it didn't surprise me (that he made the decision)," Whitright said. "He was ready to go to heaven, he was ready for God."

CNN's Katherine Wojtecki and Josh Levs contributed to this report.

[IC10021]

I would have wanted to see my child. I think it was more the newlywed thing that tipped his canoe.

Lessin to all: wear your seatbelt or harness! Be safe!

[IC10021]

If he had waited, might have messed up his wife's ability to collect his full life insurance.

[Kanda444]

good for him. he made his own choice and im glad to see him out of pain. this body was his prison... i dont blame him. i wouldnt personally do it when i had a wife and a child soon on the way but i can understand why he did it. what a hard decision to face... you have a low life expectancy now and you will never be able to hold or hug your child. to me, that pain would be unbearable i think.

[Shakey]

My brother fell out of a tree stand and broke his thigh bone. Apparently they're dangerous.

[Vedderman]

Weak-ass lack of forethought.

Normally, I would be first in line to advocate humans snuffing themselves when life is too much for them. More resources for me and mine, etc. I've always felt it was a personal choice for folks to make and I generally feel others shouldn't interfere. But this guy wasn't even paralyzed 24 hours when he threw in the towel?

I give more thought than that to deciding which pair of fucking shoes to buy. If this story isn't leaving something out then I have no respect for the guy. Making literal life or death decisions in the span of 24 hours is irresponsible and clearly demonstrates an inability to understand long-term consequences and impacts.

In any event, respect or no respect, the world is likely better off without someone for whom life means so little and who clearly has such serious flaws in his decision-making process. 'Last thing he wanted was to be in a wheelchair' indeed.

[rapeWhistle]

I was more shocked to learn there were trees in Indiana.

[Kelseecat65]

First off, this will get some groans, but no sympathy for Bambi killers.

Secondly, ending ones life should be reserved for the terminally ill. At least give it some time & meet your child, don't just bail because you don't want to be in a wheelchair.

I'm thinking of all the terminally ill people who would give their right arm to live another day, even if it meant being in *gasp* a wheelchair.

A dear friend & paramedic I use to work with was paralyzed in an auto accident while transporting a patient to the hospital. He had no use of his arms/legs and could not breathe on his own. Yet, he fought to stay alive, & for two years he did just that. Two more years with his wife & children.

[Kelseecat65]

Originally Posted by rapeWhistle

I was more shocked to learn there were trees in Indiana.

Hey now...we have beautiful trees here!!

[Hangman]

he wouldve seen but never held his child. wouldve spent the rest of his life on a ventilator/life support. neck down paralysis