An appeals court has rejected a request from the parents of a terminally ill Queens woman to force her to remain on life support.
The Rev. Manho Lee and Jin-ah Lee had fought to keep the tubes in their daughter, Grace Sung Eun Lee.
The paralyzed 28-year-old woman had said she wants to die.
Doctors at Long Island's North Shore University Hospital said they would like to respect Lee's wishes and remove her feeding and breathing tubes.
But Lee's devout Christian parents had said that would be suicide and would keep her from going to heaven.
The Korean immigrants also claimed heavy medications have clouded their daughters thinking.
They posted a video on YouTube on Thursday that, they say, showed their daughter wants to live.
In it, Lee is asked, "When do you want to leave for the nursing home?" and her answer is "Now."
David Smith is a court appointed lawyer working on the Queens woman's behalf.
"She understands she will die if the ventilator is disconnected and that is not only what she wants but she wants it right now," Smith says.
Before she became ill with brain cancer last year, Lee was working as a financial manager and was training to run the New York City Marathon.
"No one questions the depth of their commitment or the depth of their love to their daughter, Smith says. "It is none-the-less, it is the leading contributing factor to both her anxiety and lack of peace as the dying process is occurring."
Wednesday, June 19 2013 7:07 AM EDT2013-06-19 11:07:13 GMT
Photo courtesy of @N42_21_W71_04)
Riders should anticipate some changes but "near normal" service on the Long Island Rail Road for the morning rush.
Riders should anticipate some changes but "near normal" service on the Long Island Rail Road for the morning rush. Crews have been working to repair tracks and switches after Monday's derailment.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:07 AM EDT2013-06-19 10:07:22 GMT
NYC
Nearly 3 million New Yorkers' homes are now in evacuation zones that cover more than a third of the city's population, under new maps released Tuesday.
Nearly 3 million New Yorkers' homes are now in evacuation zones that cover more than a third of the city's population, under new maps released Tuesday.In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, officials said last month, the number of zones would double and encompass about 600,000 more residents.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 9:50 PM EDT2013-06-19 01:50:52 GMT
FDNY photo via Twitter
Emergency responders rescued a worker who was trapped when a trench collapsed Tuesday evening at a Queens construction site that was supposed to be closed.
Emergency responders rescued a worker who was trapped when a trench collapsed Tuesday evening at a Queens construction site that was supposed to be closed.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 8:34 PM EDT2013-06-19 00:34:07 GMT
It's a sight that can trigger dread. The low-battery message appears on your cell phone when there's no charger around.
It's a sight that can trigger dread. The low-battery message appears on your cell phone when there's no charger around. Now New York City has teamed up with AT&T to install 25 solar powered charging stations over the summer.
Monday, June 17 2013 6:03 PM EDT2013-06-17 22:03:08 GMT
Mayor Michael Bloomberg has tried to limit the size of soda consumption, ban smoking in parks, encourage bike riding and now there"s another possible plan on the table: mandate recycling of food waste.
West Side resident Matt Murphy has stored a pail of leftovers on his floor for the last two months. His building is part of the city's food-recycling pilot program. Mayor Bloomberg wants to expand the program citywide.
Monday, June 17 2013 8:36 AM EDT2013-06-17 12:36:36 GMT
Five passengers from a New York bound EgyptAir flight diverted to a Scottish airport over an apparent threat to destroy the aircraft are now seeking asylum in Britain, authorities said.
Five passengers from a New York bound EgyptAir flight diverted to a Scottish airport over an apparent threat to destroy the aircraft are now seeking asylum in Britain, authorities said.
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