Stephan Mayer : Critically ill for five years , Mandela makes us think of how we want to die . Mayer : There 's an epidemic of people dying as they die hooked up to machines . He says we deny death , are scared , do n't want loved ones to go , allow medicine to save life . Mayer : Modern culture has insulated us from witnessing death . One day you might have to decide when to allow someone you love to die .
Stephan Mayer : Critically ill for five years , Mandela makes us think of how we want to die . Mayer : There 's an epidemic of people dying as they die hooked up to machines . He says we deny death , are scared , do n't want loved ones to go , allow medicine to save life . Mayer : One day you might have to decide when to allow someone you love to die .