Have Your Say
Euthanasia - Release from Despair or Theft of Life?
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Adam Jones
13th November, 2009
1:49pmIt is possible to be faced by death at any age. I faced it at 14 when I had a cancerous brain tumour. I overcame my illness. However, when I was at my worst I lost all sense of who and where I was and control of my body. I could not eat or drink. My strong desire for life kept me going but if I had lost it and my life depended only on machines I should have been able to die.
The question of whether there should or should not be a right to die with dignity seems to be focussed on the elderly. Everyone who is capable of understanding what it means to die rather than live through a machine should be able to make a choice whether you are 14 or 94. This is another aspect of the debate that needs to be considered. -
S
8th November, 2009
7:55amSince when did dying in a state of unbelief and cowardice carry dignity with it? -
Ian Wood
27th June, 2009
12:19pmI am sure many of us would feel great sympathy and agreement for the thoughts expressed by Bill Alcock.
Here in South Australia, we have recently formed a group, Christians Supporting Choice for Voluntary Euthanasia, with the aim of showing our MPs there are thinking Christians included in the 4 out of 5 people in Australia who support having the choice of having an assisted death, when faced with a hopeless or terminal illness and pain that cannot be relieved. (Newspoll 2007). We seek to counter the vocal Christian minority who oppose what we perceive as compassionate and caring legislation. Currently before our Parliament is a Bill to have voluntary euthanasia included as an option in our Palliative Care Act, to cover cases when good palliative care is not effective. Strong safeguards against abuse are included. Strangely many MPs seem afraid to debate this important social issue.
Reports after ten years experience with Physician assisted Dying in Oregon, USA show a system that is legal, and assists the dying, with no evidence of abuse, and the best palliative care available in USA – surely a win for everybody.
We would welcome indications of support for our new approach.
Ian Wood
Co-ordinator: Christians Supporting Choice for VE
Port Pirie SA
Website: http://www.saves.asn.au/resources/archive/Christians/index.php
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Bill Alcock
1st May, 2009
12:49pmEnd of Life Care
My Life, My Death, My Choice
I refer to Dr Francis MacNab`s media release "Minister supports dying with dignity"
I am a 83 year old world war 2 veteran and it would give me great peace of mind if I could get medical assistance to die in a dignified manner if I should lose quality of life. It is my firm opinion that enforced prolonged life when quality of life is lost is a fate worse than death, I fear degeneration far more than I fear death. It is inhumane to leave those who have lost quality of life, whether it be a terminal illness or deterioration that leaves them confined to a nursing home suffering from dementia, incontinence, and/or Alzheimer's
Times have changed in my grandparents day there were no nursing homes my parents cared for them at home, the family doctor came each week to check on them and when they lost quality of life, he asked for a family conference and was given permission to ease them out in a dignified manner with analgesics
I would strongly recommend that everyone prepare an Advance Directive and appoint an Enduring Guardian, so that he/she has the authority to liaise with the doctor in the preparation of a health care management plan when quality of life is lost. The health care management plan should provide that you not be subjected to any medical intervention or treatment aimed at prolonging life, and that any distressing symptoms (including any caused by lack of food or fluid) are fully controlled by appropriate analgesic or other treatment, even though this may shorten life. For those wishing to avoid prolonged confinement in a nursing home and distress to loved ones, I would strongly recommend that they take this action whilst they are still of sound mind.
My strong belief in the right of everyone to make a choice for euthanasia should they lose "quality of Life" has been influenced by two family occurrences;
The first a heavy smoker with cancer of the throat, deteriorated quickly, I could hear him gasping for breath as I entered the main hospital entrance, he could not talk, did not recognize anyone and was being fed intravenously, fortunately I was able to persuade a sympathetic doctor to ease him out in a dignified manner
The second a mate who served with me in the second world war had always expressed the wish not to be confined to a nursing home, his doctor put his arm around him one day in my company and said to him "Don`t you worry Tom when the time comes I will ease you out" This gave Tom great peace of mind. However the time came when Tom had to go into a nursing home and he was given medication to control him from wandering at night and crying out disturbing other patients, he deteriorated very quickly became incontinent bowels and bladder, was bedridden was unable to communicate and did not recognize anyone. When I approached his doctor for help, he said sorry I cannot do anything for him now as all medication in a nursing home has to be recorded. Tom was allowed to lie in his bed in this state for 15 months, surely you must agree with me that this was an extremely cruel fate to impose upon someone who had served his country with distinction?
Personally I cannot see any point in palliative care for those who have lost quality of life, it only prolongs the agony for the patient and the family, it is in effect slow euthanasia. I wish the right to life campaigners would visit nursing homes and see all those confined to their beds many not aware of anybody or any activity around them, it is cruel you would not wish this on your pet animal.
In conclusion let me make it clear that it is not my intention to impose my views on anyone , however I consider that euthanasia should be an option for those who have documented their wishes in an Advance Directive
Yours Sincerely
Bill Alcock
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Government and Churches Should Honour the Wishes of Terminally Ill who Wish to Die.
1st May, 2009
12:39pmThe majority of Australians believe in dying with dignity. In fact 80 % agree that those with a terminal illness should have a right to obtain medical assistance to end their life free of suffering and agony.
St Michael's Executive Minister Dr Francis Macnab believes it is compassionate to let those who suffer to choose to free themselves of pain
He and other high profile speakers joined supporters of Dying With Dignity Victoria on the steps of Parliament House in Melbourne for the annual Steve Guest Day rally on Tuesday 21 April.
DWDV, is an active law reform ‘self help' organisation that fights for a progressive Victoria where people with terminal illness have the right to choose - to die with dignity.
If you are one of the many Australians who believe dying with dignity is vital and would like people to have the right to choice or would like to know more, please visit: http://dwdv.org.au
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