Dignity in Dying – A Change on the Horizon?
The Right to Choose
The issue of Dying in Dignity has been steadily increasing. Prue Leith’s Campaign for https://action.dignityindying.org.uk/page/40548/petition/1?locale=en-GB recently got my support on Social Media, and now Esther Rantzen’s disclosure that she might well go to Dignitas to choose when she wants to die, has again heightened the debate in the mainstream media.
I have for many years supported the right to choose how you die, especially when you are terminally ill.
The result at the last vote on the subject in Parliament in 2015 was a great disappointment to me, albeit not surprising in the circumstances. MP’s were not wishing to be seen to be uncaring and more worried about their own position and standing on social media, rather than getting to the essence of the issue.
I have always hoped that within my lifetime the law would change, and we are perhaps a step closer to that day. Not before time.
I find it strange that we are believed to be unhuman if we let animals suffer – and are expected to take the right action by ending any animals suffering – but when we consider people’s suffering, there is suddenly an almighty show of indignation by a vocal few, if we suggest the same concern.
The arguments against it, are unwarranted, unjustified, and mostly voiced from those with religious beliefs. But that ship has long sailed. A concern that the elderly would be coerced into taking their lives by unscrupulous, family and friends, is an argument offered by those with little compassion on the issue, and one that is rather groundless in my opinion.
I recognise that there will always be a small minority of unscrupulous people that may seek to unlawfully persuade someone to end their life early, but is this really the best argument to oppose the right of someone to choose how to die in dignity.
I think that we all want to live a long and healthy life, and despite any law change this will still be the case. But it is wrong that someone that wishes to die indignity, rather than live in pain and misery, should not be allowed that choice.
When someone close to us dies, those witnessing the death are the ones that potentially see a loved one dying, in a drawn out agony, with all the terrible memories this leaves. Rather than rejoicing and remembering the good and happy times that Mum or Dad, Sister, or Brother, provided in their lifetime.
Death is difficult at any time, but lets at least make it a natural part of our life. We choose everything else in life, why not when and where we die?
No one wants to see a loved one die early, but surely it is better to allow them to die in dignity, at a time and place of their choosing, rather than suffering the agony and indignity of a drawn out death in a hospital or hospice. Alternatively, having to travel to somewhere like Dignitas in Switzerland, in such circumstances is surely not the best we can do in the 21st Century.
Don’t get me wrong, it will still be a difficult decision. Doctors will become like Vet’s. Having to not only seek to save patients, but also assisting them to die when required, with all the heartache this involves. It will be hard for those helping their patients. But we already have DNR notices over hospital beds, and I’m sure occasionally a little extra pain relief may well have rightly been administered by a kind and caring doctor.
My views on not being a burden to my loved ones is well known, and if you are unable to make your own judgement on this issue – and I am sure families would not want to make the call – I would like to think even in these tragic circumstances, the most humane thing to do is to assist the suffering by helping someone to Die in Dignity.
I am sure the UK will finally see sense and we will adopt laws that allow assisted suicide. Maybe not just yet, but hopefully very soon.
This is not a subject we normally talk about at Christmas – a time when most are merry and enjoying life – but one that needs to be considered, and with a bit of luck the politicians will eventually see that it is what the majority of people in the UK want, deserve and require – the Choice to Die in Dignity.
