Dying for Dignity
A commentary on euthanasia20 total reviews
Comment from cinderbella
This is an extremely well-researched and informative commentary on the right to die with dignity, and of course the lack of that right here in Canada.
I was living in Toronto at the time of that SARS outbreak, and I remember it quite well.
I do hope that the legislators will agree to open that debate again. Excellent work, and quite relevant for our times. :) Sandra
reply by the author on 26-Sep-2013
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This is an extremely well-researched and informative commentary on the right to die with dignity, and of course the lack of that right here in Canada.
I was living in Toronto at the time of that SARS outbreak, and I remember it quite well.
I do hope that the legislators will agree to open that debate again. Excellent work, and quite relevant for our times. :) Sandra
Comment Written 26-Sep-2013
reply by the author on 26-Sep-2013
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Currently the baby boomer generation---post war-- babies are all reaching retirement age. For the first time, perhaps centuries, older people form the population majority. I think I'll see this change in my lifetime--there's a lot of clout out there for b=very real issues for seniors. Thanks for reading.
Comment from Jumbo J
Hi Ingrid,
this issue has been a high talking point between Jade and myself forever... seems Canada and Australia have the same right to lifer's in power that won't afford us the dignity of a dog! how dare someone else think that they know better than the person suffering a myriad of suffering's that will only end in the worst possible outcome... how dare these same people bring up flimsy excuses to why people should have to go on living to die... how ludicrous! i can tell you for sure, if this decision is still mine to make, i'll be taking myself out by hook or by crook.
a beautifully written story... a story that needs to be told over and over, until someone in power listens... there should not have to be a debate, let common sense prevail... and God forbid these same righteous people don't have to watch their love ones lingering in indescribable pain, or would it be better to watch them drugged up to the eye balls and remembering them that way? don't get me started, i think this write could be a debate in it's self, it will be interesting.
well done Ingrid, well done, i know what side my toast is buttered!
you know this would have my sixes plastered all over it, if at all possible.
kindest thoughts,
James xx
reply by the author on 26-Sep-2013
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Hi Ingrid,
this issue has been a high talking point between Jade and myself forever... seems Canada and Australia have the same right to lifer's in power that won't afford us the dignity of a dog! how dare someone else think that they know better than the person suffering a myriad of suffering's that will only end in the worst possible outcome... how dare these same people bring up flimsy excuses to why people should have to go on living to die... how ludicrous! i can tell you for sure, if this decision is still mine to make, i'll be taking myself out by hook or by crook.
a beautifully written story... a story that needs to be told over and over, until someone in power listens... there should not have to be a debate, let common sense prevail... and God forbid these same righteous people don't have to watch their love ones lingering in indescribable pain, or would it be better to watch them drugged up to the eye balls and remembering them that way? don't get me started, i think this write could be a debate in it's self, it will be interesting.
well done Ingrid, well done, i know what side my toast is buttered!
you know this would have my sixes plastered all over it, if at all possible.
kindest thoughts,
James xx
Comment Written 26-Sep-2013
reply by the author on 26-Sep-2013
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I've already received one person's view that this is challenging god's will and declared the doctor an agnostic...and how is that different than the on-going debate that simmers continually? If you watch the video you'll see what has Canada all astir this week.
Comment from N.K. Wagner
Ingrid, this is a difficult subject, primarily because the right to legally suicide may well become the responsibility TO suicide in societies such as ours where the elderly will eventually outnumber the young. After all, do the sick and elderly constitute a drain, a burden upon the struggling younger generation?
While I don't disagree in principle with the right of the terminally ill to choose the time and means of their own end, I believe it is the rare individual who truly makes a free choice, as no one lives in a vacuum.
Ask any group of women who have undergone abortions how many felt pressured, even coerced, into the procedure by doctors and/or family members. You'll be horrified at their answers.
That said, you've written a cogent argument in support of euthanasia. Well done. :) Nancy
reply by the author on 26-Sep-2013
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Ingrid, this is a difficult subject, primarily because the right to legally suicide may well become the responsibility TO suicide in societies such as ours where the elderly will eventually outnumber the young. After all, do the sick and elderly constitute a drain, a burden upon the struggling younger generation?
While I don't disagree in principle with the right of the terminally ill to choose the time and means of their own end, I believe it is the rare individual who truly makes a free choice, as no one lives in a vacuum.
Ask any group of women who have undergone abortions how many felt pressured, even coerced, into the procedure by doctors and/or family members. You'll be horrified at their answers.
That said, you've written a cogent argument in support of euthanasia. Well done. :) Nancy
Comment Written 26-Sep-2013
reply by the author on 26-Sep-2013
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It remains a very volatile subject, but I am of the belief that hen there is no hope, there should be choice.
Taken to extreme limits--anything can be bused. Gun control is a prime example. Guns don't kill, people do and in this argument there should be a judicious and sober approach to accessing the means to an end....in my humble opinion.
thanks for the dazzlers. they're appreciated.
Comment from Ben Colder
To the author. Let it be known that Agnostics and other followers of unbelief of the Commandments of God may not ever rule as power for all. He could have dried at his own choosing without stirring the questions for making decisions for others. The Commandment of God , Do not commit murder gives little room for answering the question to the creator of why? I applaud those who shoot down those who wishes to destroy faith in God.
reply by the author on 26-Sep-2013
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To the author. Let it be known that Agnostics and other followers of unbelief of the Commandments of God may not ever rule as power for all. He could have dried at his own choosing without stirring the questions for making decisions for others. The Commandment of God , Do not commit murder gives little room for answering the question to the creator of why? I applaud those who shoot down those who wishes to destroy faith in God.
Comment Written 26-Sep-2013
reply by the author on 26-Sep-2013
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My good man, with all due respect to how you take God's word from the Bible, there are others who live by a creed of an eye for an eye...and other opposite doctrine that exists in The Book.
No one can steal faith from another, nor change inner convictions. This was a man of science, but nowhere in his biography does it state he is a non-believer or a heretic. This was simply his expression for the end of HIS life and I support entirely his right to say whatever he wants.
My compassionate slant on my essay is the result of watching close friends be eaten away by cancer until there was nothing left but the pleading tears in their eyes.
Was not trying to stir anything up--not at all, let alone get into a discussion on theology.
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Never felt you were but saying agnostics do stir their unfaithful attitudes toward Christian belief using science as the reason. Cancer is terrible and hope someday God will grant the knowledge of finding a cure. Believe me, I am well a ware of the diseases. Blessings. I'm not a young man.
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Neither of us are young, my friend.
Comment from gene roush
This is very good.
You do a nice job of presenting am issue that needs to be heard and debated.
We, North Americans, have such an unhealthy fear of death. It's as if we think that by not addressing death that we'll somehow become eternal.
The one spot that feels a bit awkward is --
'Dr. Low was not afraid of dying and would have made the choice instantly, and one could assuredly state that his, as both a renown doctor and a patient, was a highly qualified opinion.'
I love long sentences, but this one might be better as two.
Again, well done, and thanks for sharing.
Gene
reply by the author on 26-Sep-2013
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This is very good.
You do a nice job of presenting am issue that needs to be heard and debated.
We, North Americans, have such an unhealthy fear of death. It's as if we think that by not addressing death that we'll somehow become eternal.
The one spot that feels a bit awkward is --
'Dr. Low was not afraid of dying and would have made the choice instantly, and one could assuredly state that his, as both a renown doctor and a patient, was a highly qualified opinion.'
I love long sentences, but this one might be better as two.
Again, well done, and thanks for sharing.
Gene
Comment Written 26-Sep-2013
reply by the author on 26-Sep-2013
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I went one better and made it into 3 sentences. thanks and thank you for reading.
Yes, people fear death. Not I. I fear pain.
Comment from judiverse
This is quite a topic to consider, with all kinds of questions about the pros and cons of assisted suicide. You wrote about Dr. Low's situation in a very compelling way, and he apparently makes a strong for a person to opt for assisted suicide when the medical prognosis was as grim as in his case. Giving a specific example makes your argument for opening the debate on euthanasia very strong. I have read recently that in one country, the Netherlands, I believe, the assisted suicide rate seemed very high. That's something that should be considered too. As you write, a careful review of requests should be made. Excellent work, and you handled the subject in a measured, reasonable way. judi
reply by the author on 26-Sep-2013
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This is quite a topic to consider, with all kinds of questions about the pros and cons of assisted suicide. You wrote about Dr. Low's situation in a very compelling way, and he apparently makes a strong for a person to opt for assisted suicide when the medical prognosis was as grim as in his case. Giving a specific example makes your argument for opening the debate on euthanasia very strong. I have read recently that in one country, the Netherlands, I believe, the assisted suicide rate seemed very high. That's something that should be considered too. As you write, a careful review of requests should be made. Excellent work, and you handled the subject in a measured, reasonable way. judi
Comment Written 26-Sep-2013
reply by the author on 26-Sep-2013
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I don't know there is a right and a wrong in this argument, but I feel very strongly the impotence of watching a person die--and I've been there-- with the hush-hush assistance of the medical staff that slowly increase the morphine, even when it is not warranted for pain. Almost every doctor could probably say, though they never would, that some things were made available to facilitate the inevitable death.
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I thought yours was a reasonable voice on the issue. The assisted suicide issue is something that we hesitate to talk about, but it does need to be. judi
Comment from Jose Saic
Is an excellent story tha tells us a true history of a wonderful person, a physician,Doctor Donald Low, who died September 18th 2013. he wanted to died with dignity and withuot suffering the pains that mny terminal diseases provoke to patients.
This story present an interesting phylosophical and spiritual problem to human been: The eutanasia.
This procedure is not accepted in some countries and people (patients and family) suffer innecessary painful moments, corporal and spirituals.
I like very much how thw author manage this problem, making a tribute, I think, to a friend and all human been that are dying with terrible pains.
Congratulations.
reply by the author on 26-Sep-2013
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Is an excellent story tha tells us a true history of a wonderful person, a physician,Doctor Donald Low, who died September 18th 2013. he wanted to died with dignity and withuot suffering the pains that mny terminal diseases provoke to patients.
This story present an interesting phylosophical and spiritual problem to human been: The eutanasia.
This procedure is not accepted in some countries and people (patients and family) suffer innecessary painful moments, corporal and spirituals.
I like very much how thw author manage this problem, making a tribute, I think, to a friend and all human been that are dying with terrible pains.
Congratulations.
Comment Written 26-Sep-2013
reply by the author on 26-Sep-2013
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It is most interesting to watch a man speak of his own death that is imminent. Watch the video for a very personal statement.
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you are welcome , is a wonderful story.
Comment from gramalot8
Spiritual Echo. This is definitely a very controversial issue. I for one am not certain where I stand. I see pros and cons from all sides. But, I do agree that it should be an individual choice. Thanks for sharing this thought provoking message with us.
reply by the author on 26-Sep-2013
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Spiritual Echo. This is definitely a very controversial issue. I for one am not certain where I stand. I see pros and cons from all sides. But, I do agree that it should be an individual choice. Thanks for sharing this thought provoking message with us.
Comment Written 26-Sep-2013
reply by the author on 26-Sep-2013
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Watch the video--words spoke by a man about to die. Thanks for reading.
Comment from Ekim777
I can feel this deeply and personally. I had a cousin, a leading brains specialist who took his own life and we can only assume that he was suffering a terminal disease. I had an old aunt who in her eighties swallowed a bottle of sleeping pills. No one swallows such a quantity by accident. The one great tragedy in all our lives is our death. Does one think of dying with dignity? I imagine we would be tormented by the unanswerable question. What is it like on the other side, and how we will miss our fellow human beings. -Ekim777
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reply by the author on 26-Sep-2013
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I can feel this deeply and personally. I had a cousin, a leading brains specialist who took his own life and we can only assume that he was suffering a terminal disease. I had an old aunt who in her eighties swallowed a bottle of sleeping pills. No one swallows such a quantity by accident. The one great tragedy in all our lives is our death. Does one think of dying with dignity? I imagine we would be tormented by the unanswerable question. What is it like on the other side, and how we will miss our fellow human beings. -Ekim777
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Comment Written 26-Sep-2013
reply by the author on 26-Sep-2013
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Until we find ourselves in that position, it's easier to intellectualize the argument, but both your cousin and aunt mad a personal choice and perhaps might have been more serene had they got the chance to say goodbye properly, knowing full well the stigma that suicide leaves to those left behind.
Comment from BethShelby
This is a well worded essay and my heart goes out to those who wish that option be available for them. Personally I'm not for that because I'm afraid that too many would chose that not because it is what they want but because of their concerns for the expenses the family is incurring due to lingering illness. I'm also afraid family members might indicate their wish that this happen for the selfish desire to have it over so they may obtain their inheritance rather than have the money used up in medical costs.
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reply by the author on 26-Sep-2013
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This is a well worded essay and my heart goes out to those who wish that option be available for them. Personally I'm not for that because I'm afraid that too many would chose that not because it is what they want but because of their concerns for the expenses the family is incurring due to lingering illness. I'm also afraid family members might indicate their wish that this happen for the selfish desire to have it over so they may obtain their inheritance rather than have the money used up in medical costs.
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Comment Written 26-Sep-2013
reply by the author on 26-Sep-2013
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Those are the usual objections and I don't think family members alone can make that decision in countries where it is legal. If the patient is coherent and has not left instructions, it is his final decision and must have a no-return endorsement by the medical community.
there are just as many people who endure the suffering so that their insurance policies don't go into default because of suicide.
It's a tough issue, but we don't hear about wholesale killings from the countries and states where it is legal.
