The right to die..

[Kadee]

Voluntary assisted dying schemes in AUSTRALIA

have been in effect in the following states;

Victoria since 19 June 2019,

Western Australia since 1 July 2021,

Tasmania since 23 October 2022,

Queensland since 1 January 2023,

South Australia since 31 January 2023

and New South Wales since 28 November 2023.

 

[DebraMae]

I watched my mother die a horrible death and have told my children I will not put myself or them throught that. I hope they remember. My plans have not changed. I have no faith that my state will ever make assisted dying legal.

With any system there will be those who abuse it, but I do believe legal assisted suicide would cause less harm than what we are doing now.

 

[Pinky]

Australia is far ahead of us (Canada) as far as this topic goes.

 

[HoneyNut]

Physically healthy Dutch woman, 28, decides to be euthanized due to crippling depression

The article said she has three conditions, one of which is BPD. I googled suicide rates for BPD and the Google response was that 70% of people with BPD try to commit suicide, and 10% die of suicide. Tho it said most fatalities were in their 30s after treatment had been unsuccessful. So this woman at 28 is a bit young and maybe should try to hang on until she's a little older. Sure wish we had cures for these types of disorders.

 

[Debrah N.]

Looks like I am in a minority, what I see is euthanasia, others interpret it as a blessed release. The so-called Nazi Euthanasia Program targeted Germans with mental and physical disabilities. It claimed the lives of an estimated 250,000 people. Am I being over dramatic? Give those in power to do what Hitler did and you will have let the genie out of the bottle.

What we're talking about is people with mental issues deciding on their own, that they want to die. That's completely different than the Nazi's killing everyone who had mental issues.

 

[Debrah N.]

I read that because Robin Williams had Lewy Body dementia he may not have been aware of what he was doing.

I read that he wasn't so far gone that he had lost his ability to reason but he knew what was coming fast and chose to end his life because he didn't want to end up like that or that his wife should have to deal with what was coming.

 

[Debrah N.]

Those are not considered terminal illnesses. They do not meet the criteria for assisted suicide.

I think in Canada, we'll eventually get the laws changed so that if a person is diagnosed with Alzheimers or dementia, they'll be able to include a directive in their future care, that will allow for MAID when they reach a certain status (i.e. incontinent, unable to recognize family, etc.).

 

[gruntlabor]

You may theoretically have the right to die as long as you don't harm anyone else I suppose, but I don't like it --it's too dangerous and traumatic to bystanders.
You do not have the right to the assistance of others in your cowardly deed, but there would always be exceptions to that in cases of extreme suffering. So I say no. Stay here and face the music like the rest of us, just an opinion.

 

[PeppermintPatty]

I watched my mother die a horrible death and have told my children I will not put myself or them throught that. I hope they remember. My plans have not changed. I have no faith that my state will ever make assisted dying legal.

With any system there will be those who abuse it, but I do believe legal assisted suicide would cause less harm than what we are doing now.

I’m sorry you had to go through that. That’s why I’m all for assisted suicide. Sure there are plenty of ways to off yourself but they might not work as planned and / or you’re leaving loved ones devastated. It’s a violent attack on yourself that leaves others forever haunted. Dying with dignity is FAR different. It’s a planned exit that involves your loved ones. They can be part of the process. It’s a process that you and your loved ones can go through together. Sure it’s still sad but it’s done with dignity and a certain amount of peace That’s the difference!

 

[Debrah N.]

You may theoretically have the right to die as long as you don't harm anyone else I suppose, but I don't like it --it's too dangerous and traumatic to bystanders.
You do not have the right to the assistance of others in your cowardly deed, but there would always be exceptions to that in cases of extreme suffering. So I say no. Stay here and face the music like the rest of us, just an opinion.

It's not traumatic to the family of folks who chose the right to die though. Mostly, family members are with those folks and they talk and share and hold that person's hand as they peacefully pass on.

And why would you call escaping imminent death with attending suffering, cowardly? Do you think suffering with grinding pain makes you a better person? And if no one is forcing you to 'off yourself' why is it so important to you that others abide by your ideas? Sounds very uncharitable.

 

[PeppermintPatty]

I think in Canada, we'll eventually get the laws changed so that if a person is diagnosed with Alzheimers or dementia, they'll be able to include a directive in their future care, that will allow for MAID when they reach a certain status (i.e. incontinent, unable to recognize family, etc.).

They ARE currently working on that and making progress. I get emails that show the progress made. Things are changing but it’s a slow progress.

 

[DebraMae]

I’m sorry you had to go through that. That’s why I’m all for assisted suicide. Sure there are plenty of ways to off yourself but they might not work as planned and / or you’re leaving loved ones devastated. It’s a violent attack on yourself that leaves others forever haunted. Dying with dignity is FAR different. It’s a planned exit that involves your loved ones. They can be part of the process. It’s a process that you and your loved ones can go through together. Sure it’s still sad but it’s done with dignity and a certain amount of peace That’s the difference!

Yes, I know, and I am all for it but that is not an option here and this state is so conservative I doubt it ever will be.

 

[Debrah N.]

They ARE currently working on that and making progress. I get emails that show the progress made. Things are changing but it’s a slow progress.

My thinking is to ask myself, 'how would I feel if I was suffering unremitting pain.....' or 'if I knew I was going to wind up diapered and unaware of my own existence in the world' would I want to continue like that and put my own family through that...and the answer is no.

 

[PeppermintPatty]

Yes, I know, and I am all for it but that is not an option here and this state is so conservative I doubt it ever will be.

I think once Canada makes these changes, the United States will probably follow suite.
I never thought marijuana would be legalized but it was. I think there’s going to be huge changes in the next few years.

 

[PeppermintPatty]

You may theoretically have the right to die as long as you don't harm anyone else I suppose, but I don't like it --it's too dangerous and traumatic to bystanders.
You do not have the right to the assistance of others in your cowardly deed, but there would always be exceptions to that in cases of extreme suffering. So I say no. Stay here and face the music like the rest of us, just an opinion.

Too bad that you don’t like it.
Nobody is asking for your approval

 

[DebraMae]

I think once Canada makes these changes, the United States will probably follow suite.
I never thought marijuana would be legalized but it was. I think there’s going to be huge changes in the next few years.

I hope so. It is needed.

 

[Debrah N.]

I think once Canada makes these changes, the United States will probably follow suite.
I never thought marijuana would be legalized but it was. I think there’s going to be huge changes in the next few years.

I find it very interesting how if you have a dog or a kitty that is suffering from cancer and in great pain, people are very ready to tell you it's cruel to keep them alive (because you'll miss them) but if it's a person who's suffering, it's wrong to let them have a doctor end their suffering.

 

[Murrmurr]

You may theoretically have the right to die as long as you don't harm anyone else I suppose, but I don't like it --it's too dangerous and traumatic to bystanders.
You do not have the right to the assistance of others in your cowardly deed, but there would always be exceptions to that in cases of extreme suffering. So I say no. Stay here and face the music like the rest of us, just an opinion.

I've been facing the music for over 30yrs now. I had a serious fall and broke my back in a couple places (among other injuries). Despite constant pain, with a lot of hard work I got myself out of a wheelchair, worked until retirement, raised my kids...I even took care of my elderly parents and their home for 14 years.

My right to die isn't theoretical, it's literally my right. I am sick of the endless pain. I've got all my ducks in a row and my wife and kids know I plan to end it at some point. There's still a couple things I wanna do, so I'm gonna hang on for a while longer, but I'm looking forward to the day.

 

[Pepper]

I love you Frank @Murrmurr

 

[timoc]

Why, oh why can't people mind their own business.

If people with excruciating pain and are only expected to live for a short while disagree with assisted dying.... fine, it's their choice and should be respected

If people with excruciating pain and are only expected to live for a short while but agree with assisted dying..... fine, it's their choice and should be respected

What gets me so angry, is some people, perhaps because of religious belief, or a self-important politician, think that they can dictate what others can do in this situation, when it is absolutely NON of their business.

I've had many, many lovely pets that I loved dearly, but in their later years, rather than let them suffer a long drawn out death, I had a vet put them to a peaceful rest.

Keeping someone alive and suffering extreme pain when they would prefer to die, is not being kind, it is cruel and barbaric.

 

[VaughanJB]

I love you Frank @Murrmurr

I also love Frank.

Too bad that you don’t like it.
Nobody is asking for your approval

I hope you're not too sensitive on this topic (this seems to imply you are). This is always going to be a difficult topic, and if people have opposing views, surely that's okay? I mean, it's not like we're making the laws ourselves.

Personally I can understand both sides on the subject. Seriously, I get it. I'm just very very worried about it, and what it can mean to a wider society. I'm uncomfortable. I think that's a very human reaction to opting for death. I can't change the way things are going, and I'm not campaigning against it, but within the confines of this forum, I'm worried.

You know, I've laid out a lot of my life on these forums. My wife's return was a disaster, and now she's back in the US while I remain in the UK. We plan on trying again, but don't have a window when that will happen. However, if I ponder the ramification of what happens if we never get back together, then I'll have to face the reality that there's really no point in waking each morning. I mean, I have my dog, but that's about it. The roof over my head, ultimately, is just a thing, and I don't much care if I live in a huge house or a one-bed apartment. I love music, but one doesn't LIVE for it. So yeah, I'll have to think about it.

Given all of that - is it really okay if I choose to enter some program in which I shuffle off to the graveyard? I mean, it would be legal, and people say we should be free to make such choices. It's a really complex issue, not in a formal way, but psychologically. Used correctly, differing opinions can at least allow us to look at the subject from different angles.

 

[VaughanJB]

Why, oh why can't people mind their own business.

If people with excruciating pain and are only expected to live for a short while disagree with assisted dying.... fine, it's their choice and should be respected

If people with excruciating pain and are only expected to live for a short while but agree with assisted dying..... fine, it's their choice and should be respected

What gets me so angry, is some people, perhaps because of religious belief, or a self-important politician, think that they can dictate what others can do in this situation, when it is absolutely NON of their business.

I've had many, many lovely pets that I loved dearly, but in their later years, rather than let them suffer a long drawn out death, I had a vet put them to a peaceful rest.

Keeping someone alive and suffering extreme pain when they would prefer to die, is not being kind, it is cruel and barbaric.

Because we live in a society, and society have it's norms and rules, things we're allowed to do, and things we're not allowed to do. Topics this important ought to be agreed upon by consensus, and that is gained by discussion of the pros and cons. I don't understand why you're so angry about how the political, legal, and societal systems work - we give opinions, and decisions are made, we discuss.

Right now, looks like on a legal level, Assisted Dying is coming in - but don't be angry at those who wish it didn't.

 

[davey]

I read that he wasn't so far gone that he had lost his ability to reason but he knew what was coming fast and chose to end his life because he didn't want to end up like that or that his wife should have to deal with what was coming.

some would say a brave man for all??

 

[timoc]

Because we live in a society, and society have it's norms and rules, things we're allowed to do, and things we're not allowed to do. Topics this important ought to be agreed upon by consensus, and that is gained by discussion of the pros and cons. I don't understand why you're so angry about how the political, legal, and societal systems work - we give opinions, and decisions are made, we discuss.

Right now, looks like on a legal level, Assisted Dying is coming in - but don't be angry at those who wish it didn't.

That is what is wrong with so called society and so called do gooders. dying is a personal and family business, not for outsiders poking their noses in where they are not wanted.

 

[PeppermintPatty]

I also love Frank.



I hope you're not too sensitive on this topic (this seems to imply you are). This is always going to be a difficult topic, and if people have opposing views, surely that's okay? I mean, it's not like we're making the laws ourselves.

Personally I can understand both sides on the subject. Seriously, I get it. I'm just very very worried about it, and what it can mean to a wider society. I'm uncomfortable. I think that's a very human reaction to opting for death. I can't change the way things are going, and I'm not campaigning against it, but within the confines of this forum, I'm worried.

You know, I've laid out a lot of my life on these forums. My wife's return was a disaster, and now she's back in the US while I remain in the UK. We plan on trying again, but don't have a window when that will happen. However, if I ponder the ramification of what happens if we never get back together, then I'll have to face the reality that there's really no point in waking each morning. I mean, I have my dog, but that's about it. The roof over my head, ultimately, is just a thing, and I don't much care if I live in a huge house or a one-bed apartment. I love music, but one doesn't LIVE for it. So yeah, I'll have to think about it.

Given all of that - is it really okay if I choose to enter some program in which I shuffle off to the graveyard? I mean, it would be legal, and people say we should be free to make such choices. It's a really complex issue, not in a formal way, but psychologically. Used correctly, differing opinions can at least allow us to look at the subject from different angles.

Of course it’s ok if people disagree. I don’t mind in the least. In fact, I expect it. It’s a sensitive topic. Maybe I’m expecting too much for people to treat it accordingly but that’s just me. I understand not every is going to agree. What I don’t understand is why they have to be rude about.

I’m sorry you are having marital problems. I think we all do at some point in time. It would be unfair to think we are going to agree on everything, all the time. Someday I wonder why I’m married but it’s a fleeting thought that passes quickly.

If we ARE given the choice to die peacefully, why can’t others accept that? Like Timac said , it’s none of anyone’s business

That is what is wrong with so called society and so called do gooders. dying is a personal and family business, not for outsiders poking their noses in where they are not wanted.