Human dignity is innate, bestowed on us by God. It is not based on the ability to care for ourselves or competence to complete a task. Being dependent upon others does not cause us to lose our dignity. Dignity is not a characteristic we can forfeit — it is an inseparable attribute woven into the fiber of our being.
However, we live in a culture that does not recognize the intrinsic distinction of individual worth. Therefore, we must reinforce the immutable existence of human dignity through the affirmation of those who are dependent and weak. In this context, dignity takes on a second form, becoming a recognized quality in all members of a society. Your dignity is affirmed and strengthened when members of your family and community care for you in a weakened state.
Those who love and care for you during times of reduced ability (e.g., senility, incontinence) declare your dignity and value apart from the tasks you can no longer accomplish independently. Our willingness to serve and be served in this time of physical weakness demonstrates our recognition of human dignity.
Our society’s failure to honor human dignity is evidenced in the sentiments of our age. We live in a time in which people would rather die than continue living with less than a perfect “quality of life.” This attitude is reflected in comments such as, “I would rather die than live in a wheelchair,” or, “If I had cancer, what would be the point of living?” Such proclamations are the byproduct of a society that reserves dignity for those who exhibit physical ability and control.
Therefore, it should be no surprise that dependency is looked upon as the ultimate weakness. Disability or end-of-life circumstances potentially situate each of us where we would rather not be: in need of the care and comfort of others. Demanding independence as a criterion for human dignity promulgates a cultural acceptance of solutions such as euthanasia, rather than compassionate care for those who cannot care for themselves.
A common fear among the disabled or terminally ill is that of becoming a burden. In reality, few of us are immune to this fear. We fear losing our independence (e.g., incontinence or using a wheelchair) because dependence is viewed as a weakness. These fears are based on an unspoken, yet dangerous, understanding in our culture that independence is required for an acceptable quality of life. Human dignity is restored as we counter this view through our witness of caring for each other in our times of dependence and need.