The article doesn’t say if he is a spared quad – or if he is ventilator dependent. Both of these can affect the cost of care.

Assuming the worst, that he is on a vent, then he cannot be left alone. If something disconnected, he would die within minutes.

Assuming the best, that he is a spared quad, he would be able to participate in his care, and would not need around-the-clock caregivers.

5 million dollars over 10 years comes out to $500,000 per year – or $1370 per day – averaged out. Now a big chunk was spent in the months right after the accident. Then there is the specialized equipment – wheelchairs, vans, beds. And don’t forget he would need to be turned every 2-3 hours to prevent bedsores.

Here is an article about a young man in Oregon. Different situations, but similar problems.

30 years ago a young man in our town went swimming right before high school graduation. He dove into the water, hit a rock, and was instantly a ventilator dependent quad – at the age of 18. He lived the life for about a year – repeated urinary infections, pneumonia, etc. Then he made the decision to be taken off the vent – and he died. His choice.

It always comes down to the money, doesn’t it. Would it be kinder to do nothing at the time of injury and just let them go . . . . . . and who would want to make that decision?