Module 1: Living with

Deciding over one’s own body and health is indisputably a human right. During my life, I have met many doctors, nurses and representatives of other health professions within both the municipal and specialist health services, all of whom have wanted to help me with advice about my health. More often than not it would have been foolish to ignore the advice. They have studied for many years and I do not doubt their competence.

On the other hand, it is still important to remember that as a patient, I always have the last word about decisions concerning my health. We don’t always want to do what we should. I should be under medical observation 24/7, live in a sterile room with access to vegetables only in a place where authorised health personnel can only enter wearing airtight space suits. But who wants to live that way?

All independent adults have the right to decide whether they want to spend the whole day eating French fries or chicken salad (without dressing) or whether they want to consume alcohol four days per week. This is rarely a topic for functionally fit people, but I’ve experienced such situations several times.

If someone was to continually decided over my health and said they knew what and wasn’t better for me, I wouldn’t be an independent human being with my own options. What pride would I have? Taking such choices away from an astute adult person disrespects the person concerned. For example, if I lived in an institution I wouldn’t have all the choices I deem necessary to experience personal freedom.

Fortunately, I now have user-controlled personal assistance (BPA) during the day and evening. This scheme allows me to make my own choices, whether good or bad, and enables me to not only decide over my health, but also how I want to live my life. Sadly, I know that many people do not have the freedom I frequently take for granted.