No matter what gets voted, the two sides will continue to dispute. Would an answer not be to decide criteria and regulation , and let people opt in/out based on that ? Opt in -- I don't want to suffer or be a burden so I will want to do this. I trust all my family members to make the correct decision and know they wouldn't do anything untoward. Opt out-- I don't agree with it, so no matter what my condition or pain, I will hang on. No person ,family or doctor may push for this option . I'm an ''In''
It's tricky because the fit and healthy you of today, thinking about a hypothetical you of 20 years time (for example) doesn't necessarily reflect how you'd feel further down the line when you ARE that old person living in pain. On the face of it, having seen quite a few relatives struggle with any quality of life towards the end, I can completely understand opting in. I've always been terrified of death - it used to keep me awake at nights when I was a kid (probably all the Catholic guilt they pile on you at school/church) and my gut instinct is to squeeze every last drop out of my time on this earth (despite wasting so many hours on here LOL). Do I want to be a burden to my kids? I don't really care because caring for a loved one at the end of their life shouldn't be a burden (albeit I've seen many folk treat it as one). I suppose the only option I would go for is having a DNR if something happened to me later in life, but ask me again if I'm 90, riddled with cancers and in constant pain and I might have a different answer. In summary. I don't know
Nail on head mate. That is the dilemma...how to introduce legislation which needs to work differently for everyone.
It’s already happening in every hospital up and down the country on a daily basis, seen it with my own eyes with my poor mam and heard similar stories from many other close friends. We are all in the laps of the hospital trusts not Gods.
My kids would pull the plug to put their phone charger in . Not trying to be flippant it's such an important emotional dilemma.
I don’t quite understand it. They are saying families will be pressuring people to die, but these people have been told they have less than six months to live. The family only have to wait 6 months anyway, do people who are against it really think families can’t wait six months?
I'm actually sat at a hospice with a friend of mine who is asleep and going to die in the next few days. We had this conversation only last week and he said he didn't want to end up as he is now. It's awful sitting watching him slowly going when a little help along the way is what he would have wanted.
I work in a hospice, and it's a common theme with many patients. @LBW alluded to it earlier, but I do believe it does happen to some extent. Not assisted dying as such, but "a little help along the way". It's sad to see someone suffering and even worse for their families. Once a syringe driver is put in, it settles them right down, and allows a pain free death. That could be seen as a "little help", though not causing death in itself. Hope your friend is at peace mate, and thoughts are with you.
My mate died last week in St Benedict’s, a cracking lad, will miss him a lot. Can’t believe how long it takes to organise a funeral now. Sorry to hear about your mate.
Mrs Ws mother passed away 28th December. Took almost 3 weeks for the medical examiner to get in touch. Only then could we move on with the funeral. Call with M.E. lasted 30 seconds. Funeral was 5 weeks later which was far to long.
Thanks he's had a driver put in this afternoon. He's asleep but keeps giving me a cracking smile. I don't think he's in any pain which is good.
My cousin told me you can’t register the death now, you have to wait until the civic centre ( I think ) get in touch with you to let you know when you can. All down to Shipman I gather.
Tricky because of mental illness or cognitive disability I think. We need regulation to shape the ethics, but ultimately if there’s a horrible and ultimately pointless painful journey ahead people shouldn’t be forced to live it.
I work in a care home. You build relationships with some and its fantastic. However the other side of the fence some of our nursing residents lie in bed 24/7 with no life at all. They are cared for, fed by staff, turned to prevent sores/ulcers etc, some on oxygen non stop. That isnt life as far as I am concerned. Unlike Top Cat I am not afraid of dying. I know we dont get the choice but give me a quick death in the next few years whilst I still have my marbles as opposed to that.
Literally my idea of hell and I wouldn't want any of my family or friends to ever see me like that or have to care for me if I can't do basic things. All for the assisted dying bill and honesty I think it is something you should be able to choose while fit and agile. I'm 45 but can say for certainty if I get to the point where I need 24/7 care, or I'm unable to leave the bed and there is zero percent of that changing then I simply don't want to go on. Nothing will change my mind on that.
I'm 65 now mate and I think your mentality changes when realistically most of us are in the last quarter of our lives.
I agree with assisted dying my friends mother was given morphine she was in agony after 7 days she was still in agony throwing up bile and then they realised she was morphine resistant. What she went through was terrible. Why does this country have to make up different rules when the system in Switzerland has been in place for years. Its torture for the patients and it's torture for their loved ones.
Last year my old man’s last few months were horrific. He lost all dignity and was in considerable pain. If I get to that stage, I definitely want the option of going out on my terms and not letting my kids see me suffer.
I’m only 31 and I’m all for it. I can’t fathom anyone wanting a loved one to suffer with an incurable disease and watch them have their dignity stripped from them whilst they slowly die.
