People often just end their lives when things aren't going well and they may well be suffering from depression, this is a waste and of course can leave loved ones questioning themselves and grieving deeply for the loss.
A high profile case recently of course was Robin Williams, faced with Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinson's Disease, the prognosis was only a deteriorating condition with zero chance of a cure. Even the available medication loses effect after a time.
He chose to overdose and take his own life...but didn't tell anybody beforehand.
That is where a person should have the right to even be assisted to die if they want to...their body, their life, their choice.
Serious illness where the prognosis is certain death soon is a good reason to gather loved ones together and inform them you would like to quietly go with dignity. I think that is fine, but the issue is it is illegal in this country for a third party to assist you to die, they can face gaol if they do...ridiculous imo.
When I do not want to live anymore why shouldn't I be allowed to die with dignity? If I am confined to bed and can barely feed myself, why should I be forced to endure months or years of the indignity of wetting the bed constantly, or wearing nappies, or being fed either by spoon or intravenously...just because the law says that no one can help me die?
My Mother is 87 years old and is in an aged care facility, she does not know what day it is, she can't hold a conversation as she suffers from dementia and cannot remember what was said a moment ago. She does not recognise me.
She will not get any better. I think she should be able to cash in her chips if she wanted to, I am sure she would like to be released from the body she is in as it just does not work any more. But, that said, she is a member of a religion that would not allow her to "take her own life", as that is what she would be doing in effect.
The Bible forbids taking ones own life...so I guess if you are a religious person then that option is not open to you. If a third party assists then in fact they would be committing a murder would they not?
So...where does that leave us? Each to their own, take your own life if you wish, but it is the gutless selfish way out if still healthy. It is the people left behind who are hurt the most and may never recover from that action.
