Should Nancy Cruzan, who suffered brain damage from a car accident, be on a life support machine for the rest of her life? Unable to move, speak, eat or even breathe on her own or should she be freed from her pain and suffering? This case provided an altercation between state medical procedures supported by the preservation of human life versus human rights under the constitution and the right to refuse medical treatment. Cruzan, a 25-year-old, was walking home on January 11, 1983 when she crashed into a ditch; causing a car accident, which left her in a “persistent vegetative state”. (Lewin) When paramedics arrived on scene, he had suffered probable brain damage, due to lack of oxygen. The estimated length of time Cruzan suffered without oxygen was between 12 and 14 minutes. The general time for permanent brain damage to occur is after six minutes without oxygen. Cruzan remained in a coma for about three weeks before falling into unconsciousness. A month after the accident, surgeons implanted a feeding and hydration tube with her husband's consent. In October 1983 she was admitted to a state hospital and doctors soon found that she had no chance of regaining mental stability. ("The Case") Her vegetative state meant that Cruzan was conscious, but unaware of her surroundings. Despite his condition, Cruzan's life expectancy was estimated to be another thirty years or so. ("Supreme Court Center") For nearly eight years, his body remained stiff and his feet and hands contracted and bent. He had occasional seizures and vomiting, while his eyes sometimes opened and moved, he showed no signs of recognizing his family. In 1987, Ms. Cruzan's parents went to the cour...... middle of paper ......ctor, MDH - 497 US 261 (1990)." Center for the Supreme Court of the United States. Justia, nd Web . April 14, 2014. Cruzan v. Director, Missouri Department of Health (n.d.) Casebriefs Retrieved April 11, 2014. Cruzan v. Missouri Department of Health (n.d.). Retrieved April 14, 2014. Lewin, T. (1990, December 26). a debate on the right to die. Retrieved April 10, 2014 Oyez Chicago-Kent College of Law (n.d.). Cruzan v. Director, Missouri Department of Health on April 12, 2014. Retrieved April 12, 2014. Che.org 12, 2014