Terry Pratchett: Choosing To Die
 

Did any-one watch this last night? It was a programme based around the Dignitas clinic were people go to have assisted suicide and it actually showed one gentleman taking the poison and dying.

I did, it were one of them programmes that was difficult to watch but a bit like a horror movie were you peek from behind the cushion.

I learnt alot from this that I didnt know and found Terry Prachett to be a very in-depth and nice guy(I havent really bothered with him in the past).

Looks like not everyone were happy with the programme as it were condemmed on the internet after the programme on social networks. They are saying that it didnt give both sides of the story.

Re: Terry Pratchett: Choosing To Die
 

To be quite honest heth I didn't watch the program because the subject doesn't interest me, to my way of thinking for somebody like myself, why would I have spent the last 30 years battling to combate poor health only to throw the towel in and end it all, I'll just let nature take its course

Re: Terry Pratchett: Choosing To Die
 

Yes I totally understand both sides of the story.
You either fight it or you dont.
You either have the strentgh or dont.

I think that there should be an option for you to end your own life but it has to come with alot work to make sure that is what they want.

Re: Terry Pratchett: Choosing To Die
 

Ya but who's going to set the parameters, :eek:

Re: Terry Pratchett: Choosing To Die
 

Exactly, that would the tough on to decide.
Prob why they havnt done it in this country already. It would cause alot of grief.

Re: Terry Pratchett: Choosing To Die
 

Heres a link to the story, very moving.

Anti-euthanasia backlash hits BBC after Terry Pratchett shows death at Dignitas | Mail Online

Re: Terry Pratchett: Choosing To Die
 

I didn't watch the program, so I can't comment on the content.....but to be fair John, you can't really compare your situation with the one that Terry Pratchett finds himself in.

You have managed your health (along with the professionals) and for that you are to be congratulated.......Terry Pratchett knows that somewhere down the line he is going to lose the mental ability to make that decision then....so he is alerting people to the fact that once he can no longer make these decisions, because of the degradation of thought processes brought on by Alzheimers disease, he has made his wishes clear.
He is to be applauded for that....making a choice well ahead of the need.

Euthanasia is a very thorny subject......very emotive.
During my life, I have watched people suffer and die very undignified deaths.
It is something that never leaves you, and something that you never get used to.

I know that I have myself said, when looking after someone in these terrible circumstance,(not within earshot) that we treat our animals much more kindly than we treat those with life limitting illnesses.
Life should not be preserved at all costs.......it is not the length of life that matters, it is the ability of a person to participate in life, to have quality of life, to be able to enjoy eating, sleeping and social pursuits, that matters most.

I will duck now and wait for the flack to pass over my head.

Re: Terry Pratchett: Choosing To Die
 

You wont get any flack from me Marg, I have said it before and will say it again you have a great way with words as I couldnt put it better myself!

On the programme last night they actually said that they treat animals better than humans when it comes to dying, and in my opinion that is not right. We dont like to see our dog/cat etc in pain just to pro-long thier life so why do it to human beings?

It isnt nice seeing people in that much pain when they are coming to the end of thier lives, and it must be horrid for the actual patient basically lying there waiting to die. This clinic gives people the choice and to me that is what people deserve.

We had to make a decission when my Grandma were in hospital to put a D.N.R on her when she was in a bad way and to this day we have said that we would do it again if it came to it.
Luckily she bounced back like she does but none of us feel guilty for making that choice as it could have quite easily gone the other way were she would have got worse and it would have been no life for her not being able to move or talk.

Marg I am coming to duck with you behind that wall!

Re: Terry Pratchett: Choosing To Die
 

Spot on Heth!
We love our familiy, we do not want them to die, but we have to accept that it is inevitable.
I think dying with dignity(and I know that is very subjective - each individual will have their own idea of what dignity means to them) after having lived a useful and productive life, having left the world a better place because of your living has got to be the better way to go.

I do not think those who help a family member to end their life should be prosecuted....as long as it can be shown that the person they helped had expressed the wish to die..... a living will.

Re: Terry Pratchett: Choosing To Die
 

Yes that is a must, the patient has to make the decission and the family go to support nothing else.

It showed last night that the person wanting to pass away had to have 2 in depth meetings with a doctor. One when they arrived and the 2nd one 24hrs later to make sure it is what they wanted.

When they are then taken to the appartment were it happens they were again asked on numerous occassions that they were sure that they wanted to go through with it. The nurse even said you will get fed-up of me asking but I want to make sure this is what you want.

Re: Terry Pratchett: Choosing To Die
 

i couldnt watch it ....

Re: Terry Pratchett: Choosing To Die
 

Jen, It isn't something that everyone could watch...or for that matter, should watch.

Re: Terry Pratchett: Choosing To Die
 

I were a bit like that when I realised what it were but like I have said above it were like a horror film when it scares you but you just cant help but peek!
Thats just me anyway and I am glad that I did watch it but I understand that it's not everyones cup of tea.

Re: Terry Pratchett: Choosing To Die
 

We should have similar clinics to the Swiss in this country.

If I begin reading a book that's no good, I don't waste time reading to the end.

If a film in the cinema is pants, I'll up and leave before the lights go up again.

I'm forty six, and have a degenerative illness, for which there's no cure.

If I'm expected to spend my fifties sat in Spring Hill nursing home, slumped in front of day time telly, with baby food slopped down my front, they can sod off.

I'll be phoning Heidi Airways, and booking a one way ticket to the land of the Toblerone, and holey cheese.

I'm not being defeatist. I'm hopeful there'll be a cure for Parkinson's in my life time.

If there isn't, I'll do what I've always done in my life...exactly what 'I' wanted.

My choice.

My informed, rational choice.

'Mine'.

Re: Terry Pratchett: Choosing To Die
 

I have just remembered from last nights programme aswell that the manager of the clinic informed us that there is approx 21% of their clients dont have a illness but want to die as they are "weary of life".

This bit did upset me, and part of me doesnt agree with it.

Re: Terry Pratchett: Choosing To Die
 

We are slightly different.

Though like you, I'll fight.

Life's precious.

'If' the quality of that life, for me, is unbearble, unable to speak, unable to walk, no independence, then I'm off over
th' Alps.

I'll say goodbye to Accy Web, from my room with a view.

The last post.

http://www.easyfreesmileys.com/smile...mileys-473.gif
I'll probably be able to hear the cheers from some in Switzerland.

:D

Re: Terry Pratchett: Choosing To Die
 

I didn't watch the programme, will try and catch it later. But after watching Ianto and his Mum suffering with cancer I can honestly say that if it had been within my power to end their suffering I would have grabbed it with both hands. To watch someone you love going through pain and knowing there was is cure is unbelievable painful. Quality of life should be paramount IMHO

Re: Terry Pratchett: Choosing To Die
 

Death is a fact of life.

It will happen to us all.

That's an inevitable certainty.

Death's only hard to cope with for those still living.

The dead don't really care.

Re: Terry Pratchett: Choosing To Die
 

Totally agree Gary, it's the ones left behind that suffer but I think that these people would suffer more seeing their loved ones in pain rather than dying peacefully.

To me that would be some comfort.

It was thier choice.

If I developed a illness that I know would leave me pain or not feeling my own mind I would also be right over to them there alps.

Re: Terry Pratchett: Choosing To Die
 

I know you would.

You two had great love, and I was lucky enough to have met your other half, and witnessed it.

I'm sat here crying now.

Not because death is maudlin, but because of what sacrifices people will make, because of an emotion we call love.

(I miss him too. We had some fantastic late night chats on here...as well as some amazing ding-dong disagreements.)

R.I.P. my old mucker Ianto.

Re: Terry Pratchett: Choosing To Die
 

As has been already posted, we allow out four legged friends the dignity of not suffering a painful death.

We dont allow humans the same right...if they so wish.

At least not legally, in this country.

Re: Terry Pratchett: Choosing To Die
 

Those who are weary of life have just as much reason to make the choice of dying.
In my opinion, for what it is worth, lots of old people die socially long before physical death overtakes them.
What I mean by that is, that their peers die and they are left with very few friends.
Families(and I know generalisations can be far off the mark) are busy with their own lives and have no time to devote to elderly parents...so these elderly people feel like they have 'lived too long'...no-one visits them except perhaps paid carers and the chap who brings their dinner......they can't do the things that they once could, there is no enjoyment, no quality in life......when that happens they may choose to take the option of dying.


Yes G, there should be places in this country where people can end their lives in peace and in the care of professionals dedicated to looking after them, with their family around them to say goodbye.
It might be unpalatable but it is what is needed....and if I were still working in the nursing profession I would happily look after these people.

Re: Terry Pratchett: Choosing To Die
 

I once watched a programme about human longevity.

All the people were at least centenarians.

One lady was a 110.

She was smart, looked as fit as a flea, and still went out everyday by herself to her favourite restaurant in Brighton.

She said she'd 'lived too long', and everyone she had loved had gone.

It was really shocking, and hard to hear.

Most would have labelled her as being lucky.

I suppose life's quality isn't always down to the purely physical.

Re: Terry Pratchett: Choosing To Die
 

Didn't see this one but a couple of weeks back Terry Pratchett had Tony Robinson read out something he'd prepared to an audience of the famous & learned reinforcing his views on the subject & that it should receive a much wider airing.

I myself agree with him, but the nay sayers are those who fear abuse of the principal or those who've never been faced with such a heart rending situation head on. At 46, I feel myself to be in rude health & sound of mind & as such am aware of the frailties of Man. I've been placed in positions were severe maiming, death & possibly living death (kept alive by machines) were a possibility.

We've sat & talked (Marion & myself) about these unpleasant conditions & are both well aware of our preferences should anything like this ever occur to us. That being the case I believe we would both have no trepidation in executing (literally) the required actions as a mark of respect & selfless understanding & the ultimate & final act of love for someone so precious.

Hopefully it will never come to pass & we will never be placed into such a position. But if it does & the fates decree it so I have every faith that our wishes will be met by the other as a final act of love, dignity & respect.

Re: Terry Pratchett: Choosing To Die
 

Somewhat ironically, I've started, but never finished a Terry Pratchett book.

(Cue music for the Twilight Zone.)

:D

Re: Terry Pratchett: Choosing To Die
 

I know what you all mean about people saying that they have lived too long.

In a strange way it just upset me more than people going to die because they have a illness.
It upsets me because there should be (in a ideal world, I know) more in place for these people not to feel "weary of life".

They should be able to turn to some-one before going down the assisted suicide route.

Re: Terry Pratchett: Choosing To Die
 

Hopefully we'll all live happily, and healthily, until our mid nineties, and die in our own bed.













Whilst in the throes of wild, passionate, love-making.
:Banane20::Banane10:

:D

Re: Terry Pratchett: Choosing To Die
 

Here, here G!!!

:icon_hump:flasher8:

Wouldnt like to clean the mess afterwards though!!!

heeheehee

ewwwwwwww!!!

Re: Terry Pratchett: Choosing To Die
 

As you say we are slightly different G, but in many ways health-wise we are very much alike. As time goes on I am beginning to feel more depressed , only last week I was diagnosed with severe arthritis in my neck, which on top of everything else is giving me some real problems. Believe me if I was ever in that mind to throw my hand in I wouldn't need to fly of on holiday to say hello the willy tell and his merry bunch, I've enough materials at home, that will do the trick. But I'm 65 in about 5 weeks my daughter is getting wed again in august and my other daughter and grand kids fly in from china in a fortnight and of course I see Joan every weekend and I live in hope that next season the Mancs won't win a thing Rovers will win a cup ( I know wishful thinking) Stanley will gain automatic promotion and Burnley get Relegated so there is so much to look forward to, even just writing this post has put all though of being depressed right out of my mind:D:D

Re: Terry Pratchett: Choosing To Die
 

When you are weary of life, there really is nowhere to go.
And as Gary rightly said, the dead person doesn't care, they aren't here anymore........when we feel sorry, sad, upset, it is ourselves we are considering, not the departed.

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I am just lucky that I am not "weary of life" maybe thats why I cant understand it fully.

Re: Terry Pratchett: Choosing To Die
 

Heth, this is possibly because you are young, fit and healthy...and can see a future with good things in it...or at least the possibilities of good things.
Long may it continue to be so for you.

Re: Terry Pratchett: Choosing To Die
 

having been through similar crap,to many people on here, if it came to the worst wi me, all i can say is "No Way Hose"

Re: Terry Pratchett: Choosing To Die
 

Same wi me too cashy, anyway if I topped miself you'd have nobody to annoy:D

Re: Terry Pratchett: Choosing To Die
 

RIP Mr P
The "embuggerance" finally got him.

Two of his memorable quotes of which there are many.
"Real stupidity beats artficial intelligenge every time" from Hogfather.
"Goodness is about what you do. Not who you pray to" from Snuff.

A mate just texted me this one.
"There are times in life when people must know when not to let go. Balloons teach small children this"

Re: Terry Pratchett: Choosing To Die
 

I second that.
RIP TP.
I like your second quote from him the best....it is my mantra.

Re: Terry Pratchett: Choosing To Die
 

I haven't read any of his books, but he always came over as a really nice guy in interviews.

Re: Terry Pratchett: Choosing To Die
 

His books are quite quirky.
I like them because i have a very pictorial imagination and I can see it all happening in my head.....surreal and funny....and a bit ridiculous at times

Re: Terry Pratchett: Choosing To Die
 

Can you recommend one for me, Margaret, please.

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Any of his Discworld books Mike, they all interlink through references & characters, but can just as easily be read as stand alone stories. Full of parody & satire the stories reflect quite cleverly humanities foibles, hopes & failings.

The man was truly a marvellous, witty & observant writer & viewer of the race of man, trolls, goblins, witches & other sundry homunculi, with an occasional dragon thrown in for good measure. :)

Recommended reading? Pretty much all he's written, but for ease here's a few titles to be going on with. For the young at heart "The Wee free men" or "The amazing Maurice & his educated rodents", for a more ecclesiastical world view "Small gods", celebrity & fame "Moving picture", empirical & nation building "Jingo", a soldiers life "Monstrous regiment", sport "Unseen academicals" to highlight a few from a vast selection of works.

Re: Terry Pratchett: Choosing To Die
 

Thanks for that, Dave. I'm off to Tesco later this morning, so I'll have a browse in the book section.

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I really liked The Colour of Magic and The Hogfather....but all the ones I have read have made me chuckle.......but I do have a very weird sense of humour.
I have quite a few of them on my Kindle.....as D in G says they can be read as stand alone books but they do interlink....and it is great that you can identify the characters in the different books.
Read them, you will not be disappointed.

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See if they have "Wyrd Sisters" Michael.

Granny Weatherwax my heroine. There's a full length cartoon on ytube

Soul Music is tremendous too.

Re: Terry Pratchett: Choosing To Die
 

I will have a look at that cartoon later.

Re: Terry Pratchett: Choosing To Die
 

Don't forget the inimitable Nanny Ogg! Whose cookbook I purchased many moons ago. :)

Judging by the comments, there's a fair few Pratchett acolytes hereabouts. ;)

Re: Terry Pratchett: Choosing To Die
 

Whoo hoo...I'd forgotten about the Hedgehog Song Dave ;)

Again to TP thanks and RIP