the right to die

Originally Posted by Baph

I strongly disagree with all of the above. Having just put someone in the back of an ambulance due to paracetamol overdose, my feelings on the subject are quite raw.

I can understand this Baph; the subject of assisted suicide is a bit difficult for me aswell, given my cousin took his own life in what I feel was a bit of a "heat of the moment" thing. That was wrong, and I can't forgive for that, because other than his momentary feelings of general "feck the world", he was healthy, intelligent, able to work, everything. A complete waste of life.

Yet the guy on the program who chose to end his life did so after careful thought, much consultation with his wife, and I suspect with the swiss clinic. His illness was going to render him useless anyway (sorry to put it like that, but thats the gist of it I guess), which is no way to live. He may have ended up (will have eneded up) in a vegetive state, unable to move, unable to do anything for himself. And all the while, he could be laying there completly sound in mind, just thinking "god, end my life now".

Has anyone seen the metallica video for the song "one"? the guy ends up nodding in morse code to end his life after he lost all his limbs, he had no life left to live.

after seeing the 5 minute news clip i then turned over and caught the majority of the documentary itself...and whilst i was still saddened at the final few moments of the mans life, his wife saying "goodbye darling, i love you, have a peaceful journey and i'll see you again sometime..." got me as much the 2nd time as the 1st, i was almost pleased for the wife at the end. mr ewart was in so much pain, he was suffering terribly, he knew he was a massive burden to his wife and wanted her to be free as much as he wanted to be free of the burden of pain. i'm without doubt certain he did the right thing for him and his wife.

it was still horrible to watch however, i felt a certain degree of discomfort and intrusion as this most private of moments. i applaud their strength in their suffering and dignity shown on the programme, and hope that one day people do not have to travel to Switzerland to be assisted in dying "their way"

Originally Posted by alpinestarhero

Yet the guy on the program who chose to end his life did so after careful thought, much consultation with his wife, and I suspect with the swiss clinic. His illness was going to render him useless anyway (sorry to put it like that, but thats the gist of it I guess), which is no way to live. He may have ended up (will have eneded up) in a vegetive state, unable to move, unable to do anything for himself. And all the while, he could be laying there completly sound in mind, just thinking "god, end my life now".

That, IMO, is completely understandable, and should be acceptable in this country. The other version, I have no sympathy for.

Suicide (when it's not caused by immense physical pain & suffering to the person wishing to die and all around them) is nothing short of selfish. Paracetamol also isn't the prettiest of ways to go either.

Originally Posted by Baph

That, IMO, is completely understandable, and should be acceptable in this country. The other version, I have no sympathy for.

Suicide (when it's not caused by immense physical pain & suffering to the person wishing to die and all around them) is nothing short of selfish. Paracetamol also isn't the prettiest of ways to go either.

Agree with you Baph but I think we need to clarify that we`re talking about "assisted suicide" here as opposed to suicide per se.

Assisted suicide when typically someone suffering from an incurable illness or chronic intense pain intentionally kills him/herself with the help of another individual.

I didn't watch the documentary as I wasn't in at the time. I plan to catch it tonight on iPlayer.

My mum's partner has MND (they have been together for years but have never married) and the reality is, although tough, it is their decision. I agree with it only in the case of terminal illness where there is nothing left to try.

Originally Posted by Baph

If they're just emotional, it's the chickens way out of not dealing with issues.

I agree that the right to take your own life needs to be highly controlled and should not be granted to people who are not thinking clearly, but I disagree with the above comment intensely. I don't think that suicide is 'the chickens way out'. I'm not sure that the people you are refering to really want to succeed. I can personally remember sitting staring at a bottle of painkillers thoughts of the consequences running through my mind. Luckily the bottle ended up being smashed against the wall. If it was the chickens way out, I don't think that I would be here now and as happy and content as I am.

Originally Posted by Speedy Claire

I believe everybody has the right to die with dignity and for that reason I support assisted suicide as long as the person is fully aware of what they are consenting to and is mentally able to make the decision and has the agreement of his/her family. No person should have to endure terminal suffering that is unremitting, unbearable, or prolonged. When the burdens of life outweigh the benefits because of uncontrollable pain, severe psychological suffering, loss of dignity, or loss of quality of life as judged by the patient, and when the circumstances are not remediable, the dying person should be able to ask for and receive help in assisted suicide.

+ 1

Originally Posted by Speedy Claire

and to me the worst part of it is that the patient is mentally alert and as such fully aware of what is going on.

+1. This is by far the worst state to be in. My mother works with disabled people in a residential home with people as young as me. She talks about the residents and it's so upsetting, I don't know how she copes with it. Fully grown men who can't move anything but an eye or finger, those that cannot speak or make any sort of communication apart from blinking etc. and yet they're perfectly capable in mind just not body.

How many times must these people have that thought running through their heads, why am I doing this, what's the point? My mother coordinates activities (as well as caring for them) to keep them "occupied" and as far as I'm concerned she has the most important job in that place. And that's why she stays despite her getting paid a pittance for what she does, she is making that vital difference. It's such a difficult job and I respect her so much for doing it, she's very dedicated.

I've not asked her about the assisted suicide situation, I'm not sure how she'd see it being a devout Christian. I personally believe it is a person's right to say when and how they go, when in the situations mentioned above anyway. People have many risk-taking hobbies, even biking is considered one, and it is then that they are putting themselves in situations which essentially they cannot control, things can go wrong. So why the fuss about actually having some control over ending it?

Originally Posted by alpinestarhero

I know that if I was facing a life of being in a vegative state, I would not want to live.

Exactly YC's view. In that situation however it would have to be in agreement with the family as they are the ones who essentially have to make the decision and if they don't like the idea then they won't make that decision.

My personal opinion is assisted suicide being illegal is wrong. Surely this is the most fundamental right of any given person if they wish to live or not. If they are not in a position to end their life themselves, then they should granted the assistance they need.

I think it was a brave move and the right move to show the film. It has brought the topic right out into the open. Hopefully it will now make a difference and gain support to have the current law over turned.

Originally Posted by Baph

Suicide (when it's not caused by immense physical pain & suffering to the person wishing to die and all around them) is nothing short of selfish. Paracetamol also isn't the prettiest of ways to go either.

I agree. My cousin hung himself, i beleive, so I suspect his death wasn't as ugly as that of a drug overdose.

Although try telling that to my nan, she found him. He was supposed to be going up to her house, he even rang her 20 mins previous to ask if she would be in so he didnt have to make a wasted trip

think i better go cool off.