Terry Pratchett - Choosing to Die

[Normal Rob]

Anybody else watching this? - difficult viewing but compelling.

 

[Taybha]

just tuned in , cant get my head round how cool the guy andrew is about it

 

[Beach Hut]

It seems almost surreal to me, could never imagine it is something I would do.

 

[Beach Hut]

Bloody hell this chap is starting to kill himself in effect.

 

[thedonkeycentrehalf]

I watched the Dimbleby lecture he did last year which was a very moving speech. As Rob said, this is very uncomfortable viewing but compelling.

It is something that I would consider if I was ever in that position. My grandmother has been in a home for five years now and doesn't know what day it is and rarely recognises anyone. She is not the funny, dominant woman she was (imagine Catherine Tate's Nan character without the swearing!) and is seeing out an existence rather than a life. Given the chance, I know she would rather have taken a one way trip to Switzerland than the existnece she now has.

 

[Gully]

I watched it and agree that it was compelling viewing, the subject matter was an emotive subject and they covered it in a matter of fact way but also one that was completely dignified. I have to admit that I am not a fan of the Pratchett's work but have the greatest respect for what he is trying to do, relating to the many issues surrounding death, in the time he has left.

I think the most important aspect of the programme tonight was to show how many checks are in place at Dignitas to ensure that the person is able to self-euthanase and that they are of sound mind about their actions. Personally I would like to see voluntary euthanasia in the UK, but feel that we are many years away from that being the case, there are far too many people who would oppose the necessary legislation. I only hope that the necessary laws are passed before I get to the stage where I am a dribbling incoherent wreck in an old folks home.

 

[Lyndhurst 14]

There are now 3 States in the US where assisted suicide is legal - Oregon, Washington and Montana. There was a similar program out here on HBO called "How to Die in Oregon" which was very good. It was very matter of fact and followed 5 individuals. It also showed all the safeguards that there are in place and how they managed to overcome all the inevitable opposition from the various religious groups.

 

[Falkor]

what channel guys

 

[Colossal Squid]

It was on BBC 2 so you can iplayer it

 

[Falkor]

I cant sleep after watching that, i cried when the man drunk his final drink, and esp when he was asking for water in his dieing breaths.

I was all for assisted suicide but im not so sure after watching that.

 

[clif26]

Personally speaking, I'm now retired following a lifetime of experiences and achievements that leave me without goals dreams or ambitions. Once I stop being healthy and happy is when I want euthenasia on demand. The way they do with abortions

 

[Brovion]

I thought it was sad the way the people had to die 'early' because if they'd left it until their diseases had progressed further they'd be too ill to travel. Also I was wondering if anyone's got to the stage where they're offered the final, lethal drink (the one after the anti-emetic one) and said "Naa, changed my mind, too scared!"

 

[Cantona's Flying Dropkick]

BBC - Sir Terry Pratchett unswayed by assisted suicide film

 

[poidy]

Like @Normal Rob i found it extremely uncomfortable viewing whilst incredibly compelling at the same time. The whole calmness surrounding the process was surreal and despite the fact i fully understand the reasons behind assisted death i still cant shake the viewpoint that this is an extremely selfish act. I understand why he chose to go down this path but i dont think he fully comprehended how this process would affect his wife for the remainder of her life. Sat down at the dining table supping a cup of tea with his wife whilst nonchalantly counting down his final few minutes before he drunk the poison was wrong in every respect. Having watched this last night im convinced its not something i could ever consider.

 

[Gully]

I thought it was sad the way the people had to die 'early' because if they'd left it until their diseases had progressed further they'd be too ill to travel. Also I was wondering if anyone's got to the stage where they're offered the final, lethal drink (the one after the anti-emetic one) and said "Naa, changed my mind, too scared!"

They kind of hinted at that in the interview where they showed all the boxfiles, the guy said that there were far more enquiries than people who went through with it. It is of course wholly possible that someone may have changed their mind at the last minute, though the two Britons they featured were totally committed to ending their lives in that manner, which I guess must be far less distressing for them and their families than suicide.

I think the fact that there are so many checks in place to make sure that the person is of sound mind and fully aware of what they are doing is sensible, lest people shuffle grandma out there so they can get their hands on an inheritance.

 

[The Oldman]

As an oldie, well 69, you do think about dying more than when younger. I found this film convinced me that the dignitas way of death was not for me. Dying in an industrial estate with 2 helpers you have never met I found quite distressing. The affect on those remaining members of the family was not covered but I wonder how they coped with it all. Contrast that with the chap in a UK hospice who was full of cheer and surrounded by staff who he knew and cared for him. My Dad died in a hospice calmly and without pain surrounded by his family who could hold his hand unlike the wife last night who could not comfort her husband for fear of beng prosecuted.
Ideally i would like to just fall asleep at home and not wake up but if I have a progressive terminal illness I'll not ask or pay anyone to kill me.

 

[Falkor]

she did comfort him she hugged him through out

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

I cant sleep after watching that, i cried when the man drunk his final drink, and esp when he was asking for water in his dieing breaths.

That's the bit that got to me too. The same Swiss lady doctor was on the BBC Breakfast programme this morning explaining that if they had given him water at that point it would have diluted the poison and he may have lived, but with brain damage. The exact opposite of everything he wished.

Disturbing viewing.

 

[boys29]

This is a massive issue with me but before i go into this , are there any other Christians on NSC ?

 

[Since1982]

This is a massive issue with me but before i go into this , are there any other Christians on NSC ?

Yes