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Karen Ann Quinlan

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The Resume

    (March 29, 1954-June 11, 1985)
    Comatose after mixed alcohol and tranquilizers (April 15, 1975)
    Although brain dead kept alive on a respirator
    Family won landmark legal case to remove her from life support
    Remained alive for ten years after respirator was disconnected

Why she might be annoying:

    She mixed alcohol and tranquilizers.
    She was the poster child for right to die vs. medical ethics.
    Although her family wanted her off life support, the doctors refused.
    New Jersey Supreme Court agreed with the family and she was removed from the respirator (March 31, 1976).
    Books and movie capitalized on the tragedy.
    Her name is mistaken for actress Kathleen Quinlan.
    She is the answer to the joke 'What is New Jersey's favorite vegetable?'

Why she might not be annoying:

    She had no control over her own fate.
    She made people question 'death with dignity' versus being brain dead and kept alive by machinery.
    Because of her people discussed ethics, morality and 'playing God.'
    She refused to die for nine years after being removed from the respitator only to die of pneumonia.
    Research: Tim Howard

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 6 Votes: 16.67% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 7 Votes: 28.57% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 11 Votes: 81.82% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 9 Votes: 77.78% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 24 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 6 Votes: 83.33% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 21 Votes: 71.43% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 4 Votes: 25.00% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 5 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 12 Votes: 58.33% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 18 Votes: 61.11% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 19 Votes: 57.89% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 23 Votes: 65.22% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 36 Votes: 61.11% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 31 Votes: 38.71% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 39 Votes: 51.28% Annoying
    In 2007, Out of 93 Votes: 47.31% Annoying
    In 2006, Out of 130 Votes: 44.62% Annoying
    In 2005, Out of 232 Votes: 44.40% Annoying
    In 2004, Out of 324 Votes: 44.75% Annoying
    In 2003, Out of 669 Votes: 44.25% Annoying
    In 2002, Out of 2068 Votes: 55.03% Annoying
    In 2001, Out of 355 Votes: 40.56% Annoying