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Right to Die

“An Assisted Dying Law would not result in more people dying, but in fewer people suffering”


This week the House of Lords will debate the Assisted Dying Bill. If it becomes law, terminally ill patients will have the right to end their lives at a time of their choosing. Do you support this change to the law? Or are you worried about the consequences?


Created By on 17/07/2014

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howardkendall
23rd Apr 2018 11:50:44
0
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Should we all have control over how - and maybe when - we die?

Having seen both my parents ( luckily at 88 and 91 ) have long and artificially extended deaths with more suffering than was necessary, I've long been a supporter of Assisted dying, where if you are terminally ill you can choose when and how you die if it is really all too much for you.

Yes there should be safeguards to avoid exploitation of the vulnerable, but right now pets have a better chance of a dignified death than we do! I'm a supporter through www.dignityindying.org.uk but would love to get other people's views on this crucial subject.

In May 2018, Noel Conway, dying of motor neurone disease and in severe pain, goes to the Appeal Court to ask to be allowed to die with dignity. Will he be allowed to?

Howard Kendall
MorrisandDoris
19th Jun 2016 17:01:08 (Last activity: 19th Jun 2016 20:45:28)
1
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I understand this Bill failed, our government voted not to allow us the right to have assisted dying.

I wrote to my MP and complained to him that the government should not have had the right to tell us what we do to end our lives,he never replied to my Email ,no surprise there!
Response from Sweet Pea made on 19th Jun 2016 18:02:03
We should have the right to choose the way we die. If you kept any animal in pain at the end of their life, you would be prosecuted, but seemingly, its O.K. to allow humans to be in pain. This is really ridiculous.
Response from Lesley made on 19th Jun 2016 20:45:28
I think I should have the right to die when I want.

My step sister is 54 years old. She had a double mastectomy at age 47. Shortly after being given the all clear of cancer she was told she has MS. Initially she just had the 'wobbles' as she called them. Over the past couple of years she has got progressively worse. She sold her house and bought a bungalow and had it adapted. It won't be long before she is in a wheelchair and will need a permanent carer.

She has already made it clear that she want's to decide when and how she dies, and has put her wishes into a 'plan of action'.

Why would anyone want to see someone suffer when they want to 'leave' is beyond my comprehension.
tel-boy
18th Jul 2014 10:12:32 (Last activity: 19th Jun 2016 20:08:49)
4
Thanks for voting!
I support the "RIGHT TO DIE."

I myself am in constant pain 24/7 but at this moment in time I can manage to a certain degree. Sometimes I cry because the pain is so severe, a 70 year old man crying in pain is not a sight to be seen by anyone. Yes there are people worse off than me and I feel heartily sorry for them but, they persevere as best they can. Not everyone can afford to go abroad to end their painful life of misery, I certainly can't.
We have witnessed programmes on TV that shock us, people in severe pain, can't talk, can't walk, can't express their feelings and everything in their lives is dependent on wives, husbands and family.
We all have a right to live and we should have a right to die.
Response from Wilf made on 13th Aug 2015 20:51:20
Sorry to hear that tel-boy. I hope you are feeling better
Response from Sweet Pea made on 19th Jun 2016 18:10:57
ABSOLUTELY "tel-boy".
Response from georgesmum made on 19th Jun 2016 20:05:46
I agree with everything you have said "tel boy"....... I watched my father suffering in agony with lack of dignity and I have to say I am certainly a firm believer in "the right to die" now.
I do hope your pain is under control at the moment and that you are coping.
Response from georgesmum made on 19th Jun 2016 20:08:49
I too have just realised that "tel boys"post is a couple of years old....I do hope I haven't caused offence!
emma2000
30th Jan 2016 00:28:50 (Last activity: 19th Jun 2016 18:08:47)
4
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It is ironic that we would be prosecuted for keeping an animal in pain but not allowed to choose to and our life when it becomes unbearable. Of course it should be our choice.
Response from Sweet Pea made on 19th Jun 2016 18:08:47
CORRECT.
ambergirl
16th Mar 2016 23:26:30 (Last activity: 19th Jun 2016 18:07:32)
2
Thanks for voting!
I think the same as many have said that it is cruel and unfair to let people suffer when there is no hope of them getting better. We would not let our pets suffer so why let humans go through a painfull ending. I for one am all for the Assisted Dying Bill and have let my family know my wishes.
Response from Sweet Pea made on 19th Jun 2016 18:07:32
So have I "ambergirl" but at the end of the day it really does depend on where you end up. If you are at home and have a decent G.P. backing you will get your wish. If, on the other hand you are in hospital.......no such luck!
Joan Fraser
20th Mar 2016 12:40:34 (Last activity: 19th Jun 2016 18:04:37)
0
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I note this a fairly aged post - but nonetheless still very pertinent. I have been working for many years with a lady who became a dear friend. She endured a life I could not have coped with, and in past years had a mastectomy, kidney/organ failure, so many infections I lost count. Each time she rallied, she would say, I'm not giving up yet - and would get on with life as best as she could; until just after Christmas when she said 'No more....', we all respected what she wanted. Nursing staff and support staff all ensured she had the 3 things she wanted at the end of her life, these were: No pain, Not to be on her own, and to pass away in her own (hard fought for) little flat. I will always miss her, but will also be proud that I was part of the team who afforded her dignity and choice and the end she wanted. There is no dignity or comfort in suffering unnecessarily.....I hope someone recognises that for me too. x
Response from Sweet Pea made on 19th Jun 2016 18:04:37
I too have witnessed this when a neighbour died in his own home recently. I also was very much involved with his care. BUT this DOES NOT HAPPEN with people in hospital.
linda
31st Jan 2016 10:38:39
2
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Agree we all have right to chose when to die but I guess there is still the problem of elderly, vulnerable people who are made to feel guilty for being a 'burden' and so are exploited by relatives who are happy to see them go.
pink rose
17th Jan 2016 15:57:25
2
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I agree that we should be able to end our life when there is no quality of life.
Who are all these people - politicians, doctors etc who think they can treat humans worse than animals.
They keep saying we can't afford to keep paying for treatment for all the elderly but try to have everyone living longer whether they want to carry on living or not.
No One
13th Aug 2015 21:06:48 (Last activity: 13th Aug 2015 23:04:36)
2
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Wilf, so sorry! Pressed thumbs down instead of up. Feel like an idiot!!! I think its down to us to make that decision while we can and let our families know what we want them to do for us if the time ever comes that we cannot tell the doctors ourselves. We all know we are going to die sooner or later but we never talk about it to our nearest and dearest. I think it would be very comforting for those we leave behind to know they did what we wanted them to do.
Response from Wilf made on 13th Aug 2015 23:04:36
Thats absolutely fine and no problem at all!. I think you are so right we all probably need to make the decision hard though it may be when we are healthy and sound of mind and then when the time comes this information can be retrieved and decisions made.
No One
13th Aug 2015 18:14:24 (Last activity: 13th Aug 2015 20:42:58)
5
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As a nurse I get quite upset at the way patients are put through traumatic procedures in a vain attempt to keep them alive for a few more days. What has happened to us as a society when we force the old, the ill, the infirm to suffer so much for the sake of keeping them with us? Families often insist that everything must be done, every treatment tried. I have my Advance Directive in place and my sons are both aware of my wishes. God help the doctor who tries to keep me going when my life has reached its natural conclusion.
Response from Wilf made on 13th Aug 2015 20:42:58
I think you are right it does seem bonkers to keep people alive when its quite plain they are in pain or very ill. Problem is I guess who can make these very tough decisions
annabel
31st Jul 2014 09:59:15
4
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Sorry to hear about your pain tel-boy … I totally agree with you in that we should have a right to die … There are times when animals are treated more respectfully than humans!

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