I will answer with ONE caveat we truly do not know until we are actually there and forced to make such decisions.I remain torn, but leaning toward yes. I would do the same.
In his shoes, at his age with his life? I think I would have at least tried to stay for the birth, and that may have given me the desire to stay put. But at my age, in my situation? it is more likely I would let go.
With that disclaimer I say that no, I would not choose to die in that manner. I am fairly certain that my death will be pretty ugly mostly because I am a stubborn SOB who really likes living no matter what that entails. The reaper is going to have to pry my soul kicking and screaming from my body before I let go of anything but that is just me I am totally in agreement with George Carlin on this one:
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hnJyq3d_cE]George Carlin - Don't Pull the Plug on Me - YouTube[/ame]
Distinction without a difference. That is like stating jumping off a cliff without pulling your chute is not suicide its just refusing to use a parachute .He did not kill himself. He refused heroic measures.
Nor was he brave. I find that claim rather insane. It is not brave to kill yourself. Dont get me wrong it is not weak either. It is simply a personal decision that is his to make. I make no moral judgment of his decision as it is NOT mine to make in that situation but I certainly am not going to call him brave. Brave is saving an infant from a burning car. Brave is not ending your own life.He was NOT weak. He was very brave to leave this life after making such a decision. You forget that he was unable to move, and was reliant on a machine to keep him alive.