Authors: LaVera Crawley
Publish Date: 2010/05/07
Volume: 25, Issue: 9, Pages: 995-996
Abstract
I wanted to push the door open and just go in but you do not do that to a man not even to save his life And so I waited and waited and raised my hand to knock again Then I heard the sound coming from behind the weather ravished door a long racking cough I shoved the door open and stepped inside “Jack” I said as the door swung to behind meHe coughed again His breath came in harsh asthmatic whistles mucus shifting in his chest Pneumonia But I didn’t mind at least he was breathing I moved towards where he lay and looked down although I knew I could not see him in the dark I could smell him though He stank of urine and feces and unhealthy perspiration “Jack” I said stupidly “you all right”The author wishes to acknowledge the mentorship and support of medical anthropologist Barbara Koenig PhD for training in empirical bioethics which led to this work Support for the ethnographic portions of this manuscript was provided through a postdoctoral fellowship from the Stanford Center for Biomedical Ethics with grant funding from the Project on Death in America Open Society Institute• What role might historical narratives ie the legacy of slavery play in shaping sociocultural perspectives of death and dying among individuals How might it provide insight into underutilization patterns of hospice advance directives and other endoflife tools and practices among some populations
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