Euthanasia - 18/10/2001 in Opendiary Archive

The big taboo of our decade. The no no. Authorised suicide.

There are many things said about Euthanasia, both for, and against. And by god aren’t they boring.

At the end of the day. The point of Euthanasia is an easy way out for your relatives. It sounds so nice doesn’t it. Euthanasia. Call it what it is. Suicide. Sounds alot less nice now.

I’m all for it, by the way. People should be allowed to die if they’re in pain, or worse, if their quality of life in nil. Pain is something we all deal with. That’s life. But if that life isn’t worth the pain that’s being caused. Not just to the person but to the family. Well, if you loved them you’d do it. Wouldn’t you?

Of course, I’m biased. My Gran has Alzeimers, and although she’s not in any pain, she doesn’t deserve what’s happened to her. She deserves to sleep. People can tell me what they like, but they haven’t looked at my Grandmother. She was the strongest, and best, old lady in this world. She used to think nothing of walking 4 miles a day, just for the sake of walking. Now she’s starving in a nursing home because she’s forgotten how to eat.

You can’t tell me this is right?

You see, I think that what they’re afraid of, is not the deaths of the ill. It’s the sense that once we accept it, and don’t fear it, we won’t keep going. Fear motivates people to great lengths, and without that fear what could we do? Would we both to get up in the morning?

I think there are genuinely people in the world of feel like that. I know some will pass it off as religion. But why? Because a God wants us to suffer? Is this a god that creates right and wrong, and then blatently flaunts them at his children. I hope not, because if it is, it isn’t a god I’ll ever follow.

Suicide is a resort. It is by it’s very nature, the last resort. But if someone is desperate enough to die, they will do it, no matter what situation you put them into.
Euthanasia patients often can’t do that. I know my Gran would die over see what she has become, and see the pain she’s caused the one’s she loved. I know I would do the same. But the illness denies her the knowledge of her regression. How can you fight what you don’t even know exists.

Like I say, I’m biased. But my view stands, regardless of my personal situation. People who want death, and who have worked their whole lives under the system to deserve a peaceful end, should should get their final rest. We all need to sleep. Let them.