...persistently, nastily, to accept the notion that very ill people should be "helped to die".
A recent tragic case involved a young woman struck down with a disease for which there seemed to be no known cure.Her life was indeed a tragic one - she lay in bed day after day and there seemed to be no hope.She said that she would like to die.At one point she wrote a thoughtful and touching essay. It made me think that she should be encouraged and helped to write more. Lying ill in bed is restrictive of so much - but it need not preclude writing, especially with the use of a computer, and especially where there is a real talent and gift of expression, as in this case. But we will never know what she might have produced. Her mother took her words about wishing for death seriously, and gave her a mix of drugs so that she died.
There has been an enormous amount of media coverage, all of which expresses sympathy for the mother - and indeed it is clear that she acted because she was torn by her daughter's dreadful suffering, and had lovingly nursed her for years with great devotion. But, but...what about the possibility that a cure, even a partial one, might have been obtained over the next years? What about the possibility that the young woman's gifts - for example, in writing - might have been developed and given her joy and peace of mind even in a life so terribly blighted? History offers examples of gravely disabled and bedridden people who exerted influence, gave inspiration, wrote, fostered ideas, achieved things even from a sickbed. It is not impossible.
If Britain legalises "assisted suicide" we face dark times. In the name of a misguided compassion, we will be allowing something terrible.
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4 comments:
Yes they are talking about how much it costs to keep a dementia patient for a year...too much I expect they think! No doubt they'd do away with me! Enjoy MV!
I think we should apply the principle and go to the roots of the problem. Demented governments should be put mercifully to rest and replaced with young, vibrant, pro-life ones. Just a thought.
I'am afraid it wont be long before assisted murder,ehh,suicide becomes law.The media are desperate for this so it will happen.Thank god I was born into a catholic family in 1968 or I might not be here at all(Anyone born after the 67 abortion act is a survivor).Now they are going to hand my demise to the government.Oh,of course there will be safeguards.As treatments become more expensive and people with cancer are refused medication I fear for the future.Am I paranoid,or is the government trying to kill me?
I often wonder whether those promoting assisted suicide would be quite so keen on the idea if the price-tag for the introduction of the legislation was their own destruction !
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