Sir Terry Pratchett Wants ‘Suicide Kits’ For Terminally Ill
Sir Terry Pratchett, the author, believes doctors should be able to prescribe a take-home suicide kit which would be “close to the ideal” way for terminally ill people to end their lives.
In a fresh appeal for the legalisation of assisted suicide, he said he was “angry” that British people had to go abroad if they wanted to be helped to die, because it meant they were committing suicide earlier than they would do if they could simply take a “magic potion” in their own home.
Sir Terry, 63, who has a rare form of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, accompanied a motor neurone disease sufferer to the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland for a controversial new documentary to be shown on BBC2 next Monday, which includes the moment of the man’s death.
It will be the first time a suicide has been shown on terrestrial television.
In an interview for Radio Times, Sir Terry said he believed the man named only as Peter, aged 71, was left with no choice but to commit suicide earlier than he would have liked, because he had to go to Switzerland before he became too ill to travel.
“That’s what makes me so angry,” he said. “Because I am absolutely sure that if Peter had not had to go to Dignitas, he would probably still be around now if there was somewhere in England he could have gone to, when it did become too much for him.”
He called for “an examination of the methods of assisted dying so that we may consider what it best…what suits the British” and said he favoured a system legalised in the US state of Oregon in 1997.
“If the doctors agree that you are, as it were, a candidate, they give you the magic potion and you can take it away and keep it at home, preferably, I suppose, not in a bottle marked lemonade. That is possibly close to the ideal.
“What I like about it is the fact that because someone knows they can die when they want to, they can treasure every day. They can think ‘the grandchildren are coming over tomorrow’ or ‘it’s nearly Christmas so I’ll leave it till the New Year…it’s a bit painful but we can hang in there.”
The BBC2 film has led to criticism of the BBC as a “cheerleader for assisted suicide” but Charlotte Moore, the corporation’s commissioning editor for documentaries, defended the decision to screen the moment at which Peter dies, saying: “I don’t see how we could omit it”.
She added: “To gloss over Peter’s final moments would be to do a disservice to Peter, to Terry and to the viewer. We have a responsibility to tell the story in its entirety. How can we do this if we shy away from the crux of the story, difficult as this may be?”
Same Difference 
As a person with MND, this is particularly poignant to me. “Assisted Death” is the hotly debated topic of the moment on bulletin boards at the moment and I have given the matter personal attention recently whilst drafting my living will. I long for the security of knowing that I could have the same choice as more able-bodied people. I understand why many feel forced to choose death before they otherwise would, whilst they are physically able.
My conclusion however, is that the risk of ‘assisted dying’ legislation far outweighs the promise. Relatives burdened with carer duties and financial responsibility would be an overwhelming and undue incentive .
At every clinic appointment or medical intervention, I am asked if I want to sign a “Do not resuscitate” (DNR) instruction. When I answer no, I am met with surprise and usually a lecture on how awful my life on a Trache would be. This almost evangelical approach wears me down and makes me question my determination to continue to enjoy my life notwithstanding its restrictions. This experience redoubles my doubt that legalising “assisted dying” can ever be safe.
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When I read this part of your submission………………….
“At every clinic appointment or medical intervention, I am asked if I want to sign a “Do not resuscitate” (DNR) instruction. When I answer no, I am met with surprise and usually a lecture on how awful my life on a Trache would be. This almost evangelical approach wears me down and makes me question my determination to continue to enjoy my life notwithstanding its restrictions. This experience redoubles my doubt that legalising “assisted dying” can ever be safe”
I was dismayed.
How dare they treat you like that?
It’s bang out of order – for a start, about DNR – you should have only been asked ONCE;
AND they should have noted your “NO”
AND not asked again.
They should know, if they’ve bothered to note “NO” on file, that you are aware of DNR, that you know what it means and if you want it you will ask for it!
This is exactly why we need this debate – to adequately serve the wishes of the very sick,
to flush out the people who would not adhere to a patient’s wishes – whatever they may be.
It’s the PATIENT’S right to choose – the vulnerable are exactly that to an erroneously thought-out move-through on this issue – there are many a margin for error – no room for mistakes.
Never question your determination to continue to enjoy your life. I admire your strength of spirit.
From the way you’ve been treated, it’s little wonder you have such reservations about Assisted Dying.
I hope your wishes are adhered to – to the letter – it’s the most important thing to be able to trust your doctors.
No harm in making a point of it to your hospital’s trust – that you want it clearly noted in all your records?
Best wishes to you.
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