"Greg, does the magazine print original essays or opinion pieces? I want to submit one about my father's brush with death and the fallout."
So began my conversation with bioethicist and JHU faculty member Travis Rieder. Travis wanted to recount the agonizing decision he (in part) had to make for a parent unable to communicate with the world. Should he honor an end-of-life, do-not-resuscitate wish, or should he present his father a lifeline of hope? Travis presented me with a draft of the essay, and I was hooked from the opening lines.
Over the next few weeks, the author and I worked to further shape the narrative and slice of huge chunks of a compelling but overlong draft. The result, I feel, is a moving and inside look at how a bioethicist himself grapples with a decision that could very well be a case study for his classes.
From the Judges
Strong, powerful, and captivating story that keeps the reader engaged throughout a deep dive into a difficult and taboo topic. The authors story telling is moving and their words invoke strong emotions.
