If your life is shortened to less than 30 years - Anticipatory Loss

**sephodwyrm** · June 14, 2011, 08:55 PM

One of my projects dealt with parents of children with terminal diseases. In this case, spinal muscular atrophy.

This is a disease that has no cure, is lethal and has a progressive wasting effect on the victim leading to increasing dependence until death. The paper I'm working on mainly argues that anticipatory loss would allow parents to fulfill the wishes of their children and "reduce regrets".

If we are to extrapolate this to people with terminal diseases - people who know that their lifespans are drastically shortened (to less than 40 years, for example), I suppose these people would really know more about life and time than we do. So far interviews had been carried out with the parents. I want to know more about what the children themselves think, though.

**CamilleBonparte** · June 14, 2011, 09:02 PM

So are you asking for people who are suffering from terminal diseases to post in this thread? I don't see how having a terminal illness alone would grant you any kind of insightful knowledge about life and time. You would have a different perspective of course, but I don't think it would automatically make someone wiser.

**sephodwyrm** · June 14, 2011, 09:10 PM

I don't see how having a terminal illness alone would grant you any kind of insightful knowledge about life and time.

We tend to believe that we live and exist forever (hence we have a terrible fear of death).
Having a terminal disease diagnosis thrown at your face may change that myth.

**Telys** · June 15, 2011, 07:03 AM

You're assuming everyone thinks the way you do. Which is not the case. Most people accept death as an inevitability. The people that feel invincible will grow-up eventually.

**hellheaven1987** · June 15, 2011, 07:17 AM

I remember a psychologist once proposed that when a human know he/she is going to die three possible reactions may happen, but I don't remember where I saw this...

Originally Posted by Telys

You're assuming everyone thinks the way you do. Which is not the case. Most people accept death as an inevitability. The people that feel invincible will grow-up eventually.

That actually takes a long time of life experience for human beings to accept death is inevitable and accept it peacefully (note: that is two complete different things), and I can guarantee you that not everyone can get that thinking even before the end of their life. I personally already accept death is inevitable and accept it peacefully, but that is only after years thoughts about this topic (which is unhealthy) for my study of military history (which deals massive, organized murders and a lot of times have no reasons).

**sephodwyrm** · June 15, 2011, 08:01 AM

That actually takes a long time of life experience for human beings to accept death is inevitable and accept it peacefully

The inability to accept death for what it is IS a main fear that religious entities and institutions play on to get a following.

**Telys** · June 15, 2011, 09:28 AM

Well then maybe I'm the one assuming. I always figured since death is so prevalent most adults have accepted that death will happen.

**hellheaven1987** · June 15, 2011, 06:45 PM

Originally Posted by sephodwyrm

The inability to accept death for what it is IS a main fear that religious entities and institutions play on to get a following.

Well, it is not always true; many religious teachings do not avoid death as a topic but rather decorates death as a "turning point" of life.

Anyway I cannot imagine sephodwyrm interviewed those kids for this type of topic; I assume you don't use brutal tone like what you did in TWC right?

**Col. Tartleton** · June 15, 2011, 06:31 PM

We all know we will die but we're in denial of it. You've got to be in a dark place to accept the fate of obliteration. Reincarnation sounds excellent in comparison, but it's almost as crazy sounding as the second coming.

**~~Exarch~~** · June 15, 2011, 10:41 PM

eat, drink,

not necessarily in that order, but i'd live like those gladiators from 'spartacus:blood and sand' when they're celebrating spartacus' win.

**hellheaven1987** · June 15, 2011, 10:50 PM

Originally Posted by Exarch

eat, drink,

not necessarily in that order, but i'd live like those gladiators from 'spartacus:blood and sand' when they're celebrating spartacus' win.

I disagree!! Life is about eating, drinking and fighting!!! You don't need sex to live!!!

**~~Exarch~~** · June 15, 2011, 10:59 PM

Originally Posted by hellheaven1987

I disagree!! Life is about eating, drinking and fighting!!! You don't need sex to live!!!

see how long you go without whacking off

...

hang on, that might just improve your fighting ability and aggression

**hellheaven1987** · June 15, 2011, 11:04 PM

Originally Posted by Exarch

see how long you go without whacking off

...

hang on, that might just improve your fighting ability and aggression

May be, but sex would not improve fighting ability that is for sure.

**~~Exarch~~** · June 15, 2011, 11:07 PM

Originally Posted by hellheaven1987

May be, but sex would not improve fighting ability that is for sure.

it does if you're slaaneshi

the supposed upside to having a life expectancy of ~40ish is that they don't have to bother with trying to get laid at 70-80; have u seen sleazy old men paw at young women? it's digusting and i'm half afraid i'll end up like that lol

**sephodwyrm** · June 17, 2011, 07:32 AM

I assume you don't use brutal tone like what you did in TWC right?

No.

I am largely translating interview transcripts from the parents (as mentioned in the OP).
I hardly get any POV from the kids in this. But that would be interesting.

So far, the public health research unit seems to be pretty certain that informing the children on their inevitable death would be the best so that the children would be "able to schedule their time and live their life to the fullest brilliance". It must have been difficult to be parents to these children. Getting through the interview transcripts are pretty tough. It's tough for me, at least.