Waubonsee Community College

Defining life, produced by Beverly Peterson

eng

videorecording

For College; Adult audiences

Defining life

electronic resource

747796313

produced by Beverly Peterson

27

What does one do when a terminally-ill loved one asks for help in committing suicide? This is one of the issues this thought provoking film addresses through the stories of people who had to make difficult choices. Defining Life goes beyond the debate of withdrawing life support in a hospital. Dr. Jack Kevorkian is shown speaking about his views on euthanasia. The film then focuses on the case of Bernard Harper and his terminally ill wife, Ginger. She begged to have her life ended so she would not have to suffer. For abetting her suicide, Harper was charged with murder. After an emotional trial the court found him innocent. On the other hand, we see the case of Luane, who was left helpless and in a vegetative state after a car accident in 1954. Her family never considered "letting her die." Sixteen years later she recovered enough to permit the removal of her feeding tubes and to sit in a wheel chair. Despite severe physical limitations, she lives each day fully. John, an AIDS victim, states his case for the right to have a "good death."

general