It was Tuesday night, and I was on the ambulance that had just transferred a patient from one hospital to another. Along the way, the ambulance ran over something, shaking the whole vehicle. It felt like a small boulder. We pulled over to check the ambulance, but the paramedic was afraid it might have been a poor animal we ran over and decided to drive back to check. It indeed was. There on the road was a small kangeroo hobbling across the road, seemingly in pain. We had run over its lower body, and while it was still alive, it was apparent that it has lost most of its mobility. One of the paramedics was adamant that we should run over its neck to end its pain. Unfortunately, when we had turned back it was by the side of the road and we could not. The paramedic was staunch in her belief and persisted we did something. In the end, she called Animal Services and requested their help to put it down.

As I looked back, and examined my feelings at that point in time, I seriously thought that we would leave the injured animal alone and let nature take its course. The thought of running over its neck was new to me, and in fact turned me off. Was it our right to end its life? Was it our call? Who were we to decide? Why couldn’t we send it to a veterinary hospital instead? Was its life not worth saving?

This incident prompted me to research further into the topic of euthanasia. I felt it was critical to get different perspectives to this controversial issue and have a personal stand. This is to prepare for the eventuality that I will face a similar incident with a patient? Would I be prepared to make the appropriate and sensitive comments? Would I be ready to face up to the family and friends of the patient in question and to answer all questions regarding their options? Would I be ready to be involved in passive euthanasia and pull the plug off the life support machine?

For the rest of the article, head on to the full article at my blog: (the password is sent out on the yahoo group mail)

Have fun reading and God bless you all!

- Jeffrey

In the meantime, we need more updates!! You can babble on almost any topic since there isn’t a moderator. =)

-yonghwee

btw, who wants to go for ice cream next tuesday? and what time’s good?… moi’s after 3! but i think we can just meet random times and use the urban beach.

cool bananas.

[grace] likes strawberry cheesecake

(btw johan all the details of the ice-cream day was in the poster attached.)

and one of blogging’s key attractions is anonymity! =PppP

Basically, this is an avenue for you yf-ers to come and update all of us about recent happenings in your lives (that is if you’re willing to share). Please do feel free to make full use of this blog and post stuffs. Not only can you post recent happenings but also you can talk about current issues, what you think on things that you read anywhere. Oh yes, and do remember to sign off so that we know who you are! =)

I hope this will be constantly updated.

God bless,
Johan Wong