Lifestories: Families in Crisis

S1 E15 • 2/8/1996

Someone Had to Be Benny

This is the story of Benny Agrelo, a terminally ill 15-year-old who fought to live the remainder of his life on his own terms. Benny decided to stop taking the drugs that helped his body accept a transplanted liver because they produced a number of excruciating side effects. After convincing his mother to let him live his last months ""without hurting,"" Benny was taken from his family by court order--and had to go to court to fight for the right to determine his own fate.