Common sense prevails at last.

[Brandyboy]

How long will the UK continue to drag it's heels over this much needed change in the law.

https://edition.cnn.com/2021/03/18/euro ... KebW3_jKfk

[paulja]

It is a very difficult subject and one that I cannot make my mind up over particularly because of personal circumstances and who has the final say.

I was diagnosed with motor nuerone in 2014 and given 5 years maximun. Motor nuerone being the illness where those pressing for law change are affected by it and are the ones we read about going to court or going to dignitas.

In 2018 following years of tests I was informed I had been misdiagnosed and had CMT, a motor neuropathy that affects mainly the use of the legs but does not shorten life span.


Who knows what decisions others may have made.

[Brandyboy]

Yes it is very difficult subject Paul and I remember your situation very well and how courageous you were and still are, but I also have had personal circumstances that support dying with dignity.

I don't like the word euthanasia because it reminds me of a very sick animal being put down and I firmly believe that the person who wants to pass away peacefully should do so by their own hand but under strict medical supervision and thankfully this is now normal.

[Army of stars]

Very difficult subject especially as those tasked with carrying out the procedure (Doctors etc) join the profession to preserve life.

[Brandyboy]

This is how it is done at Dignitas in Switzerland and as you can see, strict protocol is observed and medical doctors are only present for consultative purposes.
The final act is performed by person wanting to pass away peacefully.
I agree that doctors do join the profession to preserve life but many would wish not to do under certain circumstances and I think a slow extremely painful, debilitating inevitable death is one of them.

Members of Dignitas who wish for an assisted suicide have to be of sound judgement, themselves able to do the last act which brings about death, and submit a formal request including a letter explaining their wish to die and most of all medical reports showing diagnosis and treatments tried. For people with severe psychiatric illnesses, additionally, an in-depth medical report prepared by a psychiatrist that establishes the patient's condition, is required as per a Swiss Supreme Court decision
The person who wishes to die meets several Dignitas personnel, in addition to an independent medical doctor, for a private consultation. The independent doctor assesses the evidence provided by the patient in advance and is met on two separate occasions, with a time gap between each of the consultations. Legally admissible proof that the person wishes to die is also created, in the form of a signed affidavit, countersigned by independent witnesses. In cases where a person is physically unable to sign a document, a short video film of the person is made in which they are asked to confirm their identity, that they wish to die, and that their decision is made of their own free will, without any form of persuasion / coercion. This evidence of informed consent remains private and is preserved only for use in any possible legal dispute.

Finally, a few minutes before the lethal overdose is provided, the person is once again reminded that taking the overdose will surely kill them. Additionally, they are asked several times whether they want to proceed, or take some time to consider the matter further. This gives the person the opportunity to stop the process at any time. However, if at this point the person states that they are determined to proceed, a lethal overdose is provided and ingested

[Army of stars]

I'd like to post this elsewhere hoping a few would take it up...however the bit about being of sound mind means they would fall at the first hurdle

[Brandyboy]

I'd like to post this elsewhere hoping a few would take it up...however the bit about being of sound mind means they would fall at the first hurdle

But they are brain dead, so almost there already

[yarrap]

A very emotive issue. To allow people to die in a dignified way, if they wish, must be right.
There should be strict monitoring to ensure that there are no outside influences at work, where someone may have an interest in seeing a relative on their way.

[Brandyboy]

A very emotive issue. To allow people to die in a dignified way, if they wish, must be right.
There should be strict monitoring to ensure that there are no outside influences at work, where someone may have an interest in seeing a relative on their way.

I think you'll find that strict monitoring and safeguards is/are already in place to prevent that possibilty in all the countries that allow assisted suicide or euthanasia .

The Spanish law permits two voluntary means of allowing a person to end their own life: euthanasia and assisted suicide.
Euthanasia is the act of intentionally ending a life to relieve suffering - for example a lethal injection administered by a doctor. In cases of assisted suicide, the act is undertaken by the person themselves with help.
To request either, the person must:
• suffer a "serious or incurable illness" or a "chronic or incapacitating" condition that causes "intolerable suffering"
• be an adult Spanish national or a legal resident
• be "fully aware and conscious" when they make the request, which has to be submitted twice in writing, 15 days apart
A doctor can reject the request if the requirements have not been met. It must be approved by a second medic and by an evaluation body.
Any medic can withdraw on grounds of "conscience" from taking part in the procedure.

I have watched two members of my family die a slow, agonizing death from terminal lung cancer, one of whom passed away when his wife just popped out to the shop for a few minutes after sitting by his bedside 24/ 7 for four months. The other was my father.

I've said many times before, how much better to end your life with your loved ones at your side. How much better to say goodbye to them instead of dying on your own.
And it's so much better for them rather than to get a phone call.

[paulja]

Many who wish to die with dignity wish to do so before the illness develops too far both with pain and quality of life. But what about when the experts have got it wrong and the decision is made on the original diagnosis.
Second opinions do not always prevent that as I know of one individual whose diagnosis was confirmed by three consultants.

That also has a major bearing on DNR decisions.

Difficult, very difficult. I envy no one having to make the choice or help implement it.

Watching loved ones suffer in pain is painful in itself which adds to the difficulty for me in deciding for or against.

I must get off the fence one day.