End-of-life issues to be discussed

Christina Fernandez, attorney and medical ethicist, and Dr. "Jo" Soliz from St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard, will discuss "end of life" medical decisions and lessons California residents can learn from the recent Terry Schiavo case at 7 p.m. Tues., May 3 at the Newbury Park Library, 2331 Borchard Road, Newbury Park.

The national right-to-die debate was triggered by this Florida lawsuit and it has led many Americans to question what they would want their families to do in a similar situation. Experts say the long-running legal battle over Schiavo’s suffering could have been avoided if she had documented her wishes. The Schiavo case clearly shows that one is never too young to plan for a personal calamity, as she was stricken as a young woman in her 20s.

Fernandez and Soliz will bring Advance Health Care Directive forms. There will be a question-and-answer session following the presentation.

This event is free to the public and is presented by the Conejo Valley-based Ventura County Supporters of Global Exchange. For information, call Joanie McClellan at (805) 241-8855 and to learn more about this group visit their website at www.globalexchange.org.