By David Eck

SPRINGFIELD DEANERY — Mary Steggeman remembers her mother being on a feeding tube for four months at the end of her life. No one in the family wanted to remove it.

She and her husband, K.C., don’t want to put themselves or their children in the same situation. So when their parish, St. Patrick in Bellefontaine, offered to help parishioners create advance directives that spell out the wishes of someone unable to make medical decisions, they took advantage of it.

"We would have never done it on our own, said Mary Steggeman, 71. "We would have never thought of it. I really appreciate these people being there helping us out."

St. Patrick’s held a daylong event earlier this year in which parishioners came to the parish to get help creating advance directives. About a half dozen nurses and an attorney were there. The nurses helped the parishioners understand the medical terms, and the attorney notarized the documents.

The documents were then copied and each parishioner was given four sets for distribution to people such as doctors and family members.

"I thought it was a wonderful idea," Steggeman said. "They . . . could help you put words in so people would know what you’re talking about. We would have never done it on our own. I really appreciate these people being there helping us out."

Anne Reames, pastoral assistant at St. Patrick and a retired nurse, attended an archdiocesan series on death and dying in late 2006. As a result of that, the parish opted to help parishioners with advanced directives including living wills, health care powers of attorney, do not resuscitate (DNR) orders, hospice and organ and tissue donation.

About 30 parishioners came to the parish during the event to create their directives. The parish has helped about 10 more parishioners with documents since then.

"It’s just so important to have what it is that you want in place," Reames said. "It’s always wisest to do this when you’re well. You always think it will never happen to you, but you know that’s not true."

A classic example of the benefit of advance directive lies in the case of Terri Schiavo. The Florida woman did not have a written directive when she was left in a permanent vegetative state after collapsing in 1990.

"It became a court case and then you have loved ones fighting loved ones. And you never want to forget the loved one that’s dead or dying," Reames said. "Being a nurse, I’ve always had a respect for life. When it comes to death and dying I would always want to provide individuals with a peaceful death. It doesn’t have to be traumatic, like the Terri Schiavo case."

Reames also experienced the usefulness of a written advance directive firsthand when her father was struck by a car while riding his bicycle in 2000 and put on a respirator. He had previously filled out advance directives.

"Actually having all those documents in my possession and in place. . . . I knew what he wanted," Reams said. "I had a power of attorney for health care and his living will. It was easier making the decisions because I actually knew what he wanted prior to it actually happening."

The Steggemans gave copies of their advance directives to each of their six children.

"Your children don’t have to worry anymore," Mary Steggeman said. "They know what you want, and that’s it. When something happens I don’t want our kids to have to go through a lot of red tape."

Jack Bailey, 77, a parishioner at St. Patrick’s, read about the effort through the parish bulletin. The parish helped him create his advance directives. He gave copies to his doctor, sister and son.

"It’s very simple," he said. "It was something I should have done a long time ago, and intended to do. They made it handy for me."