Teenager joins in right to die debate
Published 28 Jun 2012 09:30
10 Comments
LAST Monday night I watched a programme about a man named Tony Nicklinson. Tony is 56 and suffers from a condition called 'Locked-In Syndrome'. This is as a result of a stroke he had back in 2005.
Monday's programme focused on Tony's wish to die. Tony is unable to move any of his limbs and thus is unable to kill himself.
He is completely paralysed and communicates through blinking. He is completely sane and his mental state has not been changed as a result of the stroke.
He is currently the subject of a very high-profile court case on whether or not we, regardless of our physical state, have the 'right to die'.
Tony argues that because he is not physically able to kill himself, a doctor should be able to end his life for him.
He believes that, although he cannot move his limbs and is not able to kill himself that he is entitled to choose whether or not to live.
Having seen this programme, I am in complete agreement with Mr Nicklinson.
As a foetus we have no option or choice as to whether or not we are brought onto earth.
However, we do have the choice as to whether we wish to continue our life or to not.
Before his stroke, Tony was something of a daredevil. He had sky-dived on several occasions and was a keen rugby player. He is also a loving father and husband. His life was lived to the full and he was a very energetic man.
He then suffered a life-changing and near-fatal stroke whilst on a business trip in Greece.
The dictionary describes life as 'the condition that distinguishes animals from inorganic matter and has the capacity for functional activity'.
Being wheelchair-bound and unable to move, talk or to communicate properly is not 'life' for Tony.
As a result of this, Tony Nicklinson has decided that the state he is in is not one worth living.
I strongly believe that there is no shame in making such a decision, nor is there any shame in wanting to die if the life that one leads is not one worth living.
Tragic though this is, Tony has the right to die and this should be respected.
The proposal that is going through the courts is that a doctor should be able to, if given consent by the patient, end their patient's life.
I believe that if the patient is deemed sane by medical professionals and is unable to do so themselves, then a doctor should be contractually obliged to end their patient's life.
I must concede, I had never really thought about assisted dying prior to watching the programme. It fascinated me though from the very start.
I follow Tony Nicklinson on Twitter and I tweeted him asking, 'Did you believe in assisted dying before you had your stroke?', to which I was very grateful to get a response, directly from him, saying, 'Probably like you I never gave it even a passing thought'.
He was right. I had never thought about it.
I believe that life is made up of many choices. One of those choices is whether to live or not to live.
I believe that it is up to the person living and them alone as to whether or not they wish to continue their life.
However, I would hope such a defining act is the very last option as there is help on offer.
Tony has been told about, and has seen, people living with the same syndrome and living happy lives.
But not everyone can do so and I feel it is important we respect Tony's courageous decision and strive to help him, as a fellow human being, take advantage of his right to die.
I believe equal opportunities is key to a 'discrimination-free' society.
The right to die must be treated in such a way and therefore I believe Tony Nicklinson is entitled to a dignified death.
His alternative, if he is unsuccessful with his court case, is to starve himself.
This would be truly undignified and would be both mentally and physically draining on both himself and his family.
He should be allowed to die peacefully and I do hope he is successful with his court case.
Whatever the conclusion, the decision will prove to be a historic one.
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
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jollymolly
95 posts
Jun 28, 11:19
Report commentHe believes that, although he cannot move his limbs and is not able to kill himself that he is entitled to choose whether or not to live.
Being wheelchair-bound and unable to move, talk or to communicate properly.!!!!!
But you got a response from him ?
he was able to tweet back to you, as you state (directly from him,)
so how does he tweet.
looks like he can use his hands to me.
if so he would be able to kill himself...
Recommend?
Yes 18
No 19
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weirnormal
7 posts
Jun 28, 12:16
Report commentHe communicates with a computer tracking his eye movements and selects letters by blinking. The computer then reads out whatever he has painstakingly typed with his eyes.
Recommend? Yes 16
No 7
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jollymolly
95 posts
Jun 28, 12:50
Report commentweirnormal
OK thanks for update,
tweet ! tweet !
Recommend? Yes 14
No 8
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hidinidentity
11 posts
Jun 28, 15:33
Report commentend of the day we should have the right if we are miserable to die. if someone is not happy with the life they have and cannot do anything and want to die theyr wishes should be resppected if a was in that position then a would like people to respect my wishes to die
Recommend? Yes 4
No 10
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maclam
335 posts
Jun 28, 17:48
Report commentat the end of the day sadly the courts will make their independent decision without robert weir or the dunfermline press needing to be involved in any way.
Recommend? Yes 5
No 5
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hidinidentity
11 posts
Jun 29, 10:11
Report commentend of the day courts shouldnt need to be involved
Recommend? Yes 2
No 6
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Elffie
9 posts
Jun 29, 10:59
Report commentWe are not allowed to treat our animals the way we treat people like Tony!
The government go on about choices all the time. Where is Tony's choices???
Recommend? Yes 6
No 5
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ItsErnie
207 posts
Jun 29, 12:23
Report commentPeople who think that the 'ending of human life' is just fine need to think about what they are saying:
- Does this poor man have the right to ask another person to kill him?
- Would those who support this be happy to do the killing themselves?
- Would the supporters be happy to see people who are perhaps temporarily depressed or unwell killed off? Their mother perhaps, or their child?
- Would they like to see a country where people who felt themselves to be a burden felt under pressure to 'do the decent thing'?
- and of course - what if a cure were to be found the next day?
If you think that the life the Lord gave you isn't worth living just look for example at what professor Stephen Hawking is STILL achieving having had motor neurone disease since 1963.
Recommend? Yes 10
No 2
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Tobythecat
8 posts
Jun 29, 22:13
Report commentI, to a certain extent agree with you "ItsErnie" However perhaps Tony just isn't as strong as Hawking's and therefore feels he needs to do what he wants, which be taking his own life.
In response to other comments - I feel that IF the courts were to rule in favour of Tony it would NOT mean a suicidal person (due to depression or whatever) has the write to die. I'm sure there would be some clauses and the use of euthanasia will be means tested and perhaps different for the individuals. I restate that this is a possibility IF the courts rule in favour.
My opinion - I'd hate to be in Tony's condition. I have full admiration for him living with his condition for the past seven years, and therefore if you've done something as (in my mind) brave as that - you should have the choice whether you live or die.
Recommend? Yes 2
No 6
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Ivan K
22 posts
Jul 7, 17:47
Report comment"I believe that if the patient is deemed sane by medical professionals and is unable to do so themselves, then a doctor should be contractually obliged to end their patient's life."
Does this person realise what he's implying? That a doctor, who has taken the Hippocratic Oath (http://classics.mit.edu/Hippocrates/hippooath.html) to preserve life should be "contractually obliged" to take life!
Whilst I have every sympathy with the plight of Tony Nicklinson and the difficulties he endures as a result of the after-effects of his stroke, this in no way justifies the use of force to compel someone to take a life.
Recommend? Yes 0
No 0
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