Independent Leyton Orient Forum

Yay or nay?

I'm on the fence with this one.

Yay. Have pondered this for years but finally came down on the side of the individual. Heartbreaking for all but there's a minefield here between assisted dying, euthanasia and suicide as well as whether the individual has capacity to choose the assisted dying option.

Like many I have seen people pass away in great pain and discomfort. They had no quality of life (their words). I have come down on the side of respecting their wishes. If it is me though I don't want one of the Star Trek inspired capsules thanks.

I'm ok for now but thanks.

Yes for the wife, but not for me.

I feel like there’s a “nudge” in the public sphere towards this, and I’m not sure it’s entirely rooted in dignity of people who are suffering - if it were, it would have been sorted long ago.

My fear is that the right to die would in practice end up as a responsibility to die

Yes, with appropriate safeguards we should have a choice. It will take a lot of thought to figure out what those safeguards should be, I have read that 'with six months or less left to live' is one idea.

Great idea in theory, who wouldn’t want to give dignity to the terminally ill

In practice people will slip through the “safeguards” (which will eventually be eroded down and down) and people will feel obligated/leaned on take the option. Others who would’ve survived anyway will also slip through the net as well as people with severe MH problems.

Long slender neck wrote: ↑Fri Oct 04, 2024 11:43 am Yes, with appropriate safeguards we should have a choice. It will take a lot of thought to figure out what those safeguards should be, I have read that 'with six months or less left to live' is one idea.

It likely seems more than it is due to the feel good factor associated with it. But the “I was given 4 months to live by my doctor, that was 20 years ago” stories are a press staple.

CEB2ElectricBoogaloo wrote: ↑Fri Oct 04, 2024 11:32 am I feel like there’s a “nudge” in the public sphere towards this, and I’m not sure it’s entirely rooted in dignity of people who are suffering - if it were, it would have been sorted long ago.

My fear is that the right to die would in practice end up as a responsibility to die

Yeah, this.

The current system seems to be that, while it's illegal, after some performative "investigation" the authorities tend to turn a blind eye. That's probably about right. Sometimes it's best to not try and fix things.

The inevitable march of progress for progress sake

We do not think twice if it is a pet.

If I am for instance paralysed with no hope of recovery, why shouldnt I be able to end my life without causing massive problems for my family?

The way things are currently- "Sorry, you're not allowed to die" is ridiculous.

Long slender neck wrote: ↑Fri Oct 04, 2024 12:29 pm If I am for instance paralysed with no hope of recovery, why shouldnt I be able to end my life without causing massive problems for my family?

We'd fit you up with one of those Stephen Hawkings' computer chairs. You'd still be able to moderate this place.

Dunners wrote: ↑Fri Oct 04, 2024 12:32 pm

Long slender neck wrote: ↑Fri Oct 04, 2024 12:29 pm If I am for instance paralysed with no hope of recovery, why shouldnt I be able to end my life without causing massive problems for my family?

We'd fit you up with one of those Stephen Hawkings' computer chairs. You'd still be able to moderate this place.

Isn’t this a bit like that joke about “will I be able to play the piano after my operation?” “Yes of course” “great, cos I was awful before!”?

I reckon his new voice will be less monotonous.

It would be the thin end of the wedge. People who are old and incapable of looking after themselves will think of themselves as a burden and feel duty bound to opt for it.

Surely they already feel like this?

Can one of the old boys on here please confirm.

bobo66 wrote: ↑Fri Oct 04, 2024 1:03 pm It would be the thin end of the wedge. People who are old and incapable of looking after themselves will think of themselves as a burden and feel duty bound to opt for it.

Whats wrong with that? At the moment there is no choice but to carry on.

Long slender neck wrote: ↑Fri Oct 04, 2024 1:38 pm

bobo66 wrote: ↑Fri Oct 04, 2024 1:03 pm It would be the thin end of the wedge. People who are old and incapable of looking after themselves will think of themselves as a burden and feel duty bound to opt for it.

Whats wrong with that? At the moment there is no choice but to carry on.

Because “unable to look after themselves” can be applied to a lot of people in the country across all age brackets

I don’t think God would be very please with it.

Give it to Jabo wrote: ↑Fri Oct 04, 2024 12:28 pm We do not think twice if it is a pet.

Not sure about that. Many people struggle to differentiate between pets and humans

Yes please but not quite yet, should be the individuals choice.