Views on Assisted Suicide?

[Z]

Out of Curiosity what are your feelings on this very touchy subject?

The reason i ask is because i have just watched a programme hosted by Terry Pratchet who has recently been diagnosed with Alzheimers disease. He followed 2 families who each had a member with the disease that wanted to kill themselves whilst they still had the brain power to do it.

We got to see one guy drink the poison's that inventually killed him. I must say, it's the first time i have seen Death in that way and to be honest it made me feel abit weird. My heart was racing and i felt very clammy. Being a Horror fan we see death, blood and guts every weekend or everyday in fiction but to see it done so calmly and proffessional really made me feel Odd but, in respects of the actual process i believe that it's a good thing and that we should be able to choose if we want to die.

[LolliePop]

For me personally, I'm not sure as I'm thankfully not in a position to be considering it to know if I could ultimately go through with it. If you're in an unlivable amount of pain or about to lose your sensibilities I can thoroughly understand why people chose this option and they should be allowed to take control in the final moments of their lives and die with the dignity they deserve.

My only question would be for the person helping me. If its in a controlled environment with professionals, thats one thing. But in this country you are more likely to be performing this with a loved one and illegally... In either case, a loved one will no doubt be either present or aware of your plans in many cases so my thoughts would be more with those left behind.

[Z]

That is a major point, in the documentry the people assisting the fella were actually the guys at the company who handed him the poison and not the loved one but, they were very adamant in asking him if he was 100% sure he wanted to go through with it, they must have asked him 20 times. His wife was very weary of even sitting next to him incase of being classed as assisting.

[LolliePop]

His wife was very weary of even sitting next to him incase of being classed as assisting.

That is the saddest part of all. To be honest I'd say throw me in the nick and I'd be holding his hand - but people get understandably afraid. If I was the person committing suicide I think it would be a case of going off on my own with a bottle of pills and making it look like an accident to spare those concerned.

[Z]

Oh, i'm not sure about doing it that way. I believe that doing it like this gives loved ones the time and chance to say goodbye and prepare for it at least. My view on people that hang themselves, Overdose or any other forms of suicide through depression is very selfish but that is a whole different talking matter. I'm not saying you're selfish in anyway as this would be topping yourself due to an illness.

Just wanted to clear that point up....lol

[LolliePop]

No - I get you. I just think if you're visibly near the end you may have said you're goodbyes and people are just waiting for the inevitable. In some cases if you're in a lot of pain they may be half hoping for your pain to end. If you're going to off yourself in these cases I'm not sure I'd want to drag anyone else into the mix... if that makes any sense.

[Scarecrow]

As long as I'm not watching a video that is like Mr. Armstrong's murder, I'll be fine. I still can't believe I watched that.

[Marklar]

I fully agree with assited suicide. We should be allowed to say when we want to die when you have an illness that is going to to worse as time goes on.
Having watched a family member die in agony, I could have quiet easily placed a pillow over his head and ended it there and then.

[Mfish618]

I fully agree with assisted suicide myself. If you know anyone who needs assistance, please PM me, so I can tuck them in.
Tired, lonely, feeling unloved? Sick of the constant daily struggle to just survive? Doesn't a nice dirt nap sound good about now? I have a variety of plans to fit any need. Please allow me to cash your chips. I promise It can be painless[ unless that's not your preference]. If that's the case, you may qualify for a substantial discount. Let me pound you like a round steak!
Don't delay, contact me today!exdev:

[DragonBlues]

I also agree with assisted suicide in the case of terminal illness. I also disagree wholeheartedly with our treatment of the elderly. I think the lengths we are willing to go to to keep people alive is disgusting—willingly watching our loved ones suffer because we fear our own mortality is pitiful. I grew up in a medical household (my father is a physician and my mother is an RN) and they both have Do Not Resuscitate orders on file and Living Wills in place, so that none of us will even have to deal with any of these decisions.

I think our culture is just terrified of death. We see it as something that must be stopped at all costs. Sadly, this not only leads to the prolonged suffering of the ill and elderly, but to a complete disconnect with the grieving process.

[Mfish618]

I also agree with assisted suicide in the case of terminal illness. I also disagree wholeheartedly with our treatment of the elderly. I think the lengths we are willing to go to to keep people alive is disgusting—willingly watching our loved ones suffer because we fear our own mortality is pitiful. I grew up in a medical household (my father is a physician and my mother is an RN) and they both have Do Not Resuscitate orders on file and Living Wills in place, so that none of us will even have to deal with any of these decisions.

I think our culture is just terrified of death. We see it as something that must be stopped at all costs. Sadly, this not only leads to the prolonged suffering of the ill and elderly, but to a complete disconnect with the grieving process.

Honestly, I feel the same way [despite my crude attempt at levity]. I watched my Dad die a miserable death, as well as several other relatives.
Prolonging life, in many cases, ensures needless suffering and only ensures the medical industry will own the patients Home and monetary accumulation. My sister was an anesthesiologist in a major Calif. Hospital. She eventually abandoned her practice because of the horrendous decisions surgeons chose in pursuit of maximum profit. The stories she recounted were monstrous. I won't allow any of it when my time comes.

[FreddysFingers]

If the person wants to die, let him die. If he really doesn't, he'll chicken out at the last minute.