Ezekiel Emanuel on the End of Life

Ezekiel Emanuel, the top healthcare adviser at Obama's Budget Office and brother of his chief of staff has stated repeatedly that he feels that those who have dementia should not receive medical care. I have done a search, but have found that most of the documents are not available to the public, but I did find several references that might give you a place to start if you would like to research this.
Lancet Article
Medscape Today
Project Muse
He has also written a book, A Time to Die: The Place for Physician Assistance.

I have heard repeatedly in recent weeks that the changes in our health care system will allow all to keep the insurance that they currently have, and that the congress and administration want all to be insured, but does it include the elderly? It appears that senior Obama advisors do not think so.

Mr. Emanuel also is an advocate of living wills, as am I, but he wants it written into these documents that one should be denied care if they become incompetent.

Our culture used to abandon babies who were disabled, institutionalized those who were determined to be incompetent, and sterilized those whom others determined should not reproduce. The Kennedy administration worked hard to free those who had been oppressed by this system, and one of my first jobs was in an early group home for individuals with disabilities. I was proud that as a society we had recognized that all people had worth. Never did I expect that I would see an administration in my lifetime that not only would not treat the disabled with respect, but advocate euthanasia. My heart is breaking. How could this have happened? What has happened to our country that an individual with a disability no longer has the right to live?

My parents both had dementia. They would sit, not talking, just holding hands most of the day. They could not tell you where they were, the date, or the name of the president, but they still loved each other, and they brought joy to all those around them. They had worth, joy in living, and deserved medical care.

Nothing To Wear

I just finished reading Nothing to Wear? A 5-Step Cure For The Common Closet by Jesse Garza and Joe Lupo. This is not a book that will tell you what styles look good on your body shape, but is rather a book about finding your style, then reorganizing your closet. It contains much valuable information and is a good read.

The authors have 5 main style categories, classic, chic, whimsical, bohemian and avant-garde. In their system, I fall into the whimsical style, combining colors and patterns with too few neutrals in my wardrobe. As a woman who has a whimsical style ages, the authors suggest more neutrals and incorporating classic and chic pieces into every outfit. I want to achieve what they describe as the look for a 50 year old woman... tastefully sexy, subtle, elegant, assured, and self-possessed.

One of the interesting things I learned by reading this book is which designers fall into which style categories. I think this information will be useful for others, so I want to share it with you.

Classic
Brooks Brothers, Agnona, Akris, Anne Klein, Ann Taylor, Burberry, Gap, Tommy Hilfiger, J. Crew, Kiton, Luciano Barbera, Liz Claiborne, Toro Piana, Ralph Lauren and Talbots.
Chic
Gucci, Armani, Banana Republic, Hugo Boss, Chanel, Club Monaco, Kenneth Cole, Express, H&M, INC, Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Laundry, Max Mara, Narciso Rodriguez, Ele Tahari, Valentino and Zara.
Whimsical
Etro, Benetton, French Connection, Mac Jacobs, Betsey Johnson, Nanette Lepore, Moscihino, Zac Posen, Prada, Lilly Pulitzer, and Louis Vuitton.
Bohemian
Chloe, Abercrombie & Fitch, Anna Sui, Anthropologie, Roberto Cavalli, Dolce & Gabbana, Eskandar, Matthew Williamson, Miu Miu, and Urban Outfitters.
Avant-garde
Yohji Yamamoto, Balenciaga, Comme des Garcons, Costume National, John Galliano, Jean Paul Gaultier, Lavin, Alexander McQueen, Roenza, Schouler, Top Shop, Victor & Rolf and Issey Miyake.

The authors give these tips for shopping, but I think they can be easily adapted for home sewing as well.
1. Create a shopping list of the things you need and fill in the gaps in your essential wardrobe before you buy the fun stuff.
2. Buy essentials at the beginning of the season and get the extras later when they go on sale.
3. Know your shape and what looks best on you.
4. Bring things you need to match with you to the store.
5. Spend the most money on things you will wear frequently.
6. Buy things that fit into multiple categories of your wardrobe needs, for example a jacket that can be worn to work or with jeans.
7 Shop realistically, don't be a fashion victim.