Euthanasia.

[PILKYBUSDRIVER]

awwww that was totally brilliant tv, dot and ethel,almost had me in tears.It's easier the gabrielle kent way.

[ANNE]

Ah, that was one of the best Eastenders ever.
I was so moved.
I cried buckets.

[Staveros]

i think we need to sort out the youth in this country, what with these 'hoodies' and 'happy slapping' and what not, before we start worrying about the youth in asia.


this would have never happened under mrs thatcher

[garinda]

Originally Posted by Staveros

i think we need to sort out the youth in this country, what with these 'hoodies' and 'happy slapping' and what not, before we start worrying about the youth in asia.


this would have never happened under mrs thatcher

There's always one.

You hand them something on a plate and they always take it. It's spelt yoof by the way.

[Doug]

I believe that Simon’s response to this post says as much as can be said in this very difficult subject.

Anyone one who as had to endure watching a loved one pass away in pain and discomfort will understand how easy it is to be torn apart by wanting to keep them with us and praying to our chosen God to end their suffering.

I believe no one individual as the right to end life in this manner; nor should anyone have this heavy burden of responsibility placed on their shoulders by another. However, that’s not to say that one can’t assist in providing an appropriate method that would allow the sufferer to bring about there own end. It is difficult for me to understand why in this day and technological age that anyone should end their days in pain and discomfort as the means and methods of pain control are so advanced today and readily available.

I spent over eight years working as an Auxiliary Nurse in a Geriatric Hospital “an often miss used term that has now past into disuse” Much of that time was spent working the night shift which would include sitting with those who were about to pass to spirit. Our role was to provide the comfort and dignity that ensured that no one faced their death alone, particularly if the family themselves could not be there. Pain control for those in pain and distress was paramount and the management of pain control was never allowed to slip.

[Staveros]

In all seriousness I wrote an article on the subject for a piece of coursework about a year ago so it is an issue I am familiar with.

My view is that I believe the current legal position should remain.
Firstly, as some have mentioned, from a legislative point of view, it is something that is impossible to 'police' 100 per cent effectively and would therefore be open to abuse.

There have been numerous cases of people who are supposedly clinically 'dead' awakening from comas after years to go on and live a good standard of life. Just one such case should be enough to knock the argument on the head. You cannot 'play God' with an issue as precious as the human life. Quite simply there is no going back. Likewise degenerative diseases. How can a person KNOW for sure how they will feel WHEN they do reach a certain stage of an illness?? Clearly such decisions would have to be made at a relatively early stage BUT how can one say for sure that they wouldn't want to reverse that decision down the line?? What then??

Also, who would be responsible for actually performing these 'mercy' killings?? It would HAVE to be the doctors wouldn't it. Should a doctor have such a responsibility though?? Would they WANT such a burden?? After all it goes against the hippocratic oath.

IMO the law is something that supposedly provides a certainty by which you can arrange your affairs. An issue like this is impossible to bring that level of certainty to though.

You simply cannot go around making ad hoc decisions on something as precious as the human life, its a non starter for me.

[garinda]

Most people have had close encounters with death, anyone one whose read my blog will have read of the slow death of my Aunt aged fifty seven over the last few months. She chose to fight right until the day she died, when we were told her illness was terminal.

I believe quality of life also should be addressed as well as terminal illness. If my quality of life becomes so unbearable, and dependent on others to perform even the most mundane of tasks, I'm out of here, and if I don't have the ability I demand the right to seek assistance without the threat of prosecution hanging over that person.

[garinda]

It's not impossible, it works perfectly well in the Netherlands and Switzerland.

[Staveros]

Originally Posted by garinda

Most people have had close encounters with death, anyone one whose read my blog will have read of the slow death of my Aunt aged fifty seven over the last few months. She chose to fight right until the day she died, when we were told her illness was terminal.

I believe quality of life also should be addressed as well as terminal illness. If my quality of life becomes so unbearable, and dependent on others to perform even the most mundane of tasks, I'm out of here, and if I don't have the ability I demand the right to seek assistance without the threat of prosecution hanging over that person.

Thats the trouble though Gazza, you cant DEMAND that.

You have to look at the bigger picture and accept the reality of the situation. If just one life is wrongly taken because of such a law then it cant be right.

Until someone can come up with an absolutely 100 per cent foolproof piece of legislation, which is not going to happen because it is impossible, then I really dont think we can entertain the idea.

Once we start playing God where does it end??

I sympathise whole heartedly with people who have had personally harrowing experiences of loved ones facing a slow and painful end BUT I think you MUST rise above your personal experience and see the bigger picture.

[garinda]

Gazza?

How very dare you?

As an atheist I don't want to play God as I don't believe one. In other threads I've stated my oposition to the death penalty for exactly the same reasons your giving me, ie: that an innocent person might be wrongly killed. No law is one hundred percent workable, but like I said it works perfectly well in other countries.

I do demand a change in the law, otherwise by the time comes I'm unable to wipe my own ass, I'll be moving to Amsterdam.

[Doug]

Originally Posted by garinda

Most people have had close encounters with death, anyone one whose read my blog will have read of the slow death of my Aunt aged fifty seven over the last few months. She chose to fight right until the day she died, when we were told her illness was terminal.

I believe quality of life also should be addressed as well as terminal illness. If my quality of life becomes so unbearable, and dependent on others to perform even the most mundane of tasks, I'm out of here, and if I don't have the ability I demand the right to seek assistance without the threat of prosecution hanging over that person.

I couldn’t agree more in respect of the quality of life endured by those facing the end of their life in this way, To little is done nationally to manage terminal care holistically, although some tremendous work is being done by some agencies, unfortunately there seems to be an attitude of localised effort as opposed to a national standard. The regulation is in place however it’s down to individual Councils and Health Trusts how budgets and care initiatives are managed. As always the door is open for the volunteer and grass roots support sectors to lead the way forward. Care pathways, person centred approaches, outcomes in practice and rights and choices are all available now and would make a difference to our people if only those in control could coordinate effectively………..

[garinda]

I have every respect for those people who choose to receive care right until their death by whatever takes them, and for those people who care for them, that still doesn't address the issue of assisted suicide still being illegal.

If the law isn't changed I will be petitioning for a change in the law so we have the same rights as pets, and that they are made to suffer as well, and not put out of their suffering.

[Doug]

Originally Posted by garinda

I do demand a change in the law, otherwise by the time comes I'm unable to wipe my own ass, I'll be moving to Amsterdam.

Babies can’t wipe there own arses. Your life will be just as meaningful and important to us even when you can’t, and if care is provided in a professional and a appropriately holistic manner their would be little loss of dignity and the quality of your life would possibly be higher than a lot of people living meaningless and indifferent lives in the gutters of our towns and cities.

[Doug]

Our pet’s are driven by natural instinct and will fight to survive in any environment, they only lay down and die when they don’t have the strength to fight on……To relieve their suffering and ease our consciences we have them put down. I believe its kind and right only because they can’t end their own suffering. Why should the burden be put on another’s shoulders? If any individual wants to end their own lives then they must do so by their own hand. I think it’s wrong to live to the point where it becomes someone else’s responsibility to help you end your life.

[garinda]

Originally Posted by Doug

Babies can’t wipe there own arses. Your life will be just as meaningful and important to us even when you can’t, and if care is provided in a professional and a appropriately holistic manner their would be little loss of dignity and the quality of your life would possibly be higher than a lot of people living meaningless and indifferent lives in the gutters of our towns and cities.

Don't patonise me Doug [although it's great to have you back posting,] it's my life and I don't really care if it's meaningful important to you, it wouldn't be to me. Choices.