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34 year old assisted euthanasia

(85 Posts)
MissAdventure Sun 28-Apr-24 14:51:40

A lady called Jolanda had planned the 25th April to be her last day in earth, due to lifelong struggles with her mental health.

It's currently not clear if she did get her wish, which was for assisted suicide, but she has made no further responses, other than to thank her boyfriend, who wished her well on her last journey.

What is your opinion on this, please?

MissAdventure Sun 28-Apr-24 14:55:10

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Jolanda, who was diagnosed at the age of 22, explained that every social situation feels like 'dark, overstimulation, chaos in my head, loneliness'.

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"Most of the time I just feel really sh*tty," she revealed to the Times. "Sad, down, gloomy. People don’t see it, because that’s the mask I put on and that’s what you learn to do in life."

In the interview, Jolanda explained that she was in a relationship with a 51-year-old man and revealed that he 'knew from the beginning that this would be coming'.

winterwhite Sun 28-Apr-24 14:58:05

We don’t know enough about her, Miss A. At age 34 this is a great tragedy and waste of a like. Presumably she had no family.
This could haunt the boyfriend in later life

ExDancer Sun 28-Apr-24 15:00:30

Well she obviously has mental problems, but at first glance seems more like attention seeking. What are you hoping to achieve by posting this?

winterwhite Sun 28-Apr-24 15:00:54

I wrote mine between your two posts. Now rather mystifying about the boyfriend who turns out to be 51

MissAdventure Sun 28-Apr-24 15:04:08

ExDancer

Well she obviously has mental problems, but at first glance seems more like attention seeking. What are you hoping to achieve by posting this?

Exactly what I asked for.
People's opinions.

JaneJudge Sun 28-Apr-24 15:10:19

I think it's a shame sad

Germanshepherdsmum Sun 28-Apr-24 15:11:00

I have read about her. I thought it was extremely sad that she should think this was the only answer to her problems. It was what she wanted, but personally I don’t think this is what assisted suicide should be used for. I did feel that there was an element of attention seeking. People who are in such a dark place that they can see no way forward don’t usually ask to be assisted.

MissAdventure Sun 28-Apr-24 15:13:32

Me too.
She has a long, long history of an eating disorder, very mild learning difficulties, and depression, for which she has tried and tried different forms of help.

It does seem a terrible waste, but I know lots of people are very pro euthanasia.

I wondered whether that also includes cases such as Jolanda's.

Bridie22 Sun 28-Apr-24 15:13:51

Personally I think its her body, life and choices. if somebody is determined to die they will find a way .

MissAdventure Sun 28-Apr-24 15:17:24

I can also see that point, too.
Does being "for" it, mean that it applies to anyone who feels life is too much?

It's a conundrum to me.

pascal30 Sun 28-Apr-24 15:19:31

She has apparently found a psychiatrist, plus 2 other doctors,in the Netherlands who has agreed that she fits the criteria for assisted dying, having initially been denied it by the official clinic..
I suppose, having worked in MH for many years, that this method is preferable to an attempt at suicide, which could cause lasting physical damage, if someone is determined to die..

Bridie22 Sun 28-Apr-24 15:19:51

I suppose ultimately it could Miss A.

MissAdventure Sun 28-Apr-24 15:21:08

Do you think the fact that she is from the Netherlands has any bearing on this?
It is legal there, I think, with the obvious safeguarding checks.

MissInterpreted Sun 28-Apr-24 15:22:11

I read her story and found it very sad, but at the end of the day, what is the better option - assisted dying/euthanasia, or if she is desperate enough, leaving her to attempt suicide on her own? As pascal30 says, if someone is determined enough, they will find a way.

Bridie22 Sun 28-Apr-24 15:23:15

It's legal there and she fits their criteria, so its all legal in that country.

MissAdventure Sun 28-Apr-24 15:26:38

I've never been totally onboard about assisted euthanasia, though I'm in favour of "hurrying the inevitable" if necessary.

I realise it's all open to interpretation though.

Bridie22 Sun 28-Apr-24 15:30:47

Hurrying on the inevitable, is assisted death .

Esmay Sun 28-Apr-24 15:31:44

As a Christian it goes against my beliefs , but I understand her deep unhappiness and respect her .

May she rest in peace 💐 .

MissAdventure Sun 28-Apr-24 15:34:49

Thank you, Esmay.
smile

Baggs Sun 28-Apr-24 15:35:36

If someone was in agonising, torturous physical pain that nothing could help, I think we'd find it easier to understand them just wanting it to end or be ended. Long-lasting mental anguish for which there is no remedy could affect a person the same way, I feel.

If this is the only way to end Jolanda's pain then so be it. Nature is cruel when all's said and done.

MissAdventure Sun 28-Apr-24 15:36:10

Bridie22

Hurrying on the inevitable, is assisted death .

Yes, I suppose I meant having a more formal, legislated process.

Bridie22 Sun 28-Apr-24 15:45:44

It is due to be debated again in our parliament, im hoping with all the boxes ticked it will be legal here one day, preferably in my lifetime, !

Germanshepherdsmum Sun 28-Apr-24 15:55:56

I am in favour of assisted dying if someone is terminally ill and in pain which cannot be sufficiently relieved. Or if they have a terrible incurable condition which gives them no quality of life, such as Tony Nicholls (?) who had locked in syndrome, was denied the chance to have his life ended and died shortly afterwards.

I don’t put this lady in the same category though I don’t deny the suffering her mental problems were causing her. I don’t understand why, if she didn’t want to carry on living, she couldn’t take matters into her own hands and not involve her boyfriend or the clinic, which was not a willing party. I know that sometimes suicide attempts go wrong and leave one badly physically damaged, but if a person is sufficiently determined they would ensure that the method and circumstances used would succeed.

Anniebach Sun 28-Apr-24 16:07:28

She wanted to end living but feared dying so not to face death alone she chose assistance