I find this to be the most interesting unit that has been explored in class so far. Theres so much depth in the topic illness and dying. Though there are social norms and such that simplifies the concept so everyone gets the fundamental ideas of life after death and the process, but I think the significance comes from the possible variety of perspectives that are affected by so many things. The variety ranges from the religious views on death which can already trigger controversy over which belief is more plausible, and obviously the individual's hopes and desires that drives their imagination of a perfect death.
It also is a very open ended topic since the experience is a one time thing, and scientific research is very limited. This leaves us space to imagine and fantasize all we want. What I would like to believe is that death is the end of everything in an individual's life. Though the thought of losing everything and being forgotten scares everyone, I'd like to see it as an sea of nothingness. Once your dead, all emotions and memory fades away leaving no regret. Though this is completely a personal thought, it also helps me cope with life knowing that once the time comes I will feel nothing.
As for the illness portion of the unit, I think it is similar to what I fear most about dying, regret. Since you are still alive, you will feel emotions, and knowing that your body is failing on you it is probably very difficult to be optimistic. Though I have not experienced any illnesses that were life threatening, I still despise the helpless and weak feeling that runs through your body. Its as if the body is beginning to decay and hope is being sucked out of your body.
