title: Living and dying with dignity: reflections on lived experience.
abstract: Considerations of human dignity figure prominently in discussions of health care, and are central in the debate with regard to end-of-life care and the issue of physician-assisted suicide. In this paper I reflect on my experience as a person living with multiple sclerosis in order to explore ways in which prevailing cultural values contribute to the loss of dignity that accompanies incurable illness and disability. I suggest that authentic Christian community may offer an alternative culture with a radically different value system, one that enhances human dignity.
authors.affiliation: Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: S Kay
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Toombs
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001293:Attitude to Death; D001828:Body Image; D002755:Choice Behavior; D002835:Christianity / Q000523:psychology; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000523:psychology*; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D010686:Philosophy, Medical; D011287:Prejudice; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D012297:Right to Die; D012649:Self Concept; D012752:Shame; D012803:Sick Role; D012945:Social Values; D013240:Stereotyping; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000523:psychology*; D019452:Terminally Ill / Q000523:psychology*