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Search - Whose Life Is This Anyway?

Whose Life Is This Anyway
Author: Brian Clark

Ken Harrison was paralysed in a car accident and has just been physically stabilised. His state of mind is to all appearances clear. After realising the consequences he will take from this immobilisation he decides that life for him isn’t worth living anymore. In order to show him the abilities he will have in his future life Mrs Boyle, a ... more »medical social worker, is sent to him. She tries to make him think about his disability in a more optimistic point of view, but she reaches the opposite and Ken gets very upset. After considering all the possibilities he will have in his future life he is more convinced than ever that he doesn’t want to go on living like this anymore.

Dr. Scott, a young doctor and Dr. Emerson have made several experiences with patients like Mr Harrison during their careers and so they believe that he too suffers from clinical depression. That’s the reason why they treat him with tranquillisers. Mr Harrison isn’t satisfied with this treatment, because he feels to be withdrawn of the only part of his body he is still able to use, his brain.

Ken knows that the doctors would try to convince him in any way to stay alive and so he orders the Sister to call Philip Hill, his solicitor.

Next morning Philip Hill comes for a visit in order to talk about an insurance-compensation. Ken explains his situation that he had calmly considered and now wants to be discharged from hospital, because outside he won’t be able to live longer than one week. He needs Mr Hill to represent him in a legal case. He has to consider all the legal aspects that are involved in this case. The solicitor wants to talk to Dr. Emerson first and wait for his reaction before he decides whether to help Ken or not. The doctor reacts heavily and is absolutely against Mr Harrison’s discharge. But Mr Hill realises that Mr Harrison means it very seriously and that he is in a clear mental conscious and so he decides to help him and to represent him. He is convinced to help Ken getting discharged from hospital.

Mr Emerson and Mr Hill come to the agreement that a psychiatrist from another hospital is brought in for a second opinion, because Mr Harrison is said to be incapable of making a reasonable decision.

Then, two lawyers –one for Ken and one for the hospital- and a judge are brought in to consider all facts and to decide, if Mr Harrison is in a clear state of mind. Ken is heard by the judge and tries to convince them that he is in a great mental condition. After Ken is proved to be mentally balanced, the judge, Mr Millhouse, decides that Ken is allowed to be discharged. After loosing the case legally, Dr. Emerson still wants Ken to die with humanity. That means he wants him to die surrounded by doctors who can take care that the moment of death at least won’t be painful and offers him to take a room at the hospital.

Whose Life is it Anyway? is a play about a sculptor, Ken Harrison, who has been paralysed in a road accident and his struggle for the right to die. Although humour is used to good effect in the play, there is a deeper meaning behind it.

ISBN-13: 9780906399002
ISBN-10: 0906399009
Publication Date: 1978
Pages: 80
Edition: 2nd edition
Rating:

0 stars, based on 0 rating

Publisher: Amber Lane Press Ltd
Book Type: Paperback
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

Genres:

Literature & Fiction >> Dramas & Plays

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