Assisted Dying Bill - Scotland

I am so sorry to hear Aveline. So cruel and lacking in compassion, for both the patient and ACs, next of kin.

My mother was in such appalling pain and distress I'd have given her the pills myself if I could have and taken the consequences. It was awful to hear her cries. I'll never forget it. A dreadful situation in every sense of the word.

maddyone I'm very sorry for your loss.

I can't know your feelings but I'm sure that, if I were a close relative of someone in your mother's situation, I'd want them to have the option (of their own free choice) of assisted death rather than an extended period of pointless suffering.

The legislation is only to apply where there is an identifiable terminal illness, however, not simply for age-related loss of abilities.

I can't imagine being a close relative of someone who asks for that help, and not being willing to give it - other than the concern of how to do it well without causing them further suffering.

There have been many terminally ill people who have campaigned in favour of this legislation but who have been denied a peaceful end to their lives.

www.dignityindyingscotland.org.uk/why-we-need-change/personal-stories/

Asking a spouse or AC, or close friend, to assist, is really not a good idea as they would face prosecution and possible emprisonment.

Even travelling to Dignitas in Switzerland with a spouse, has been considered 'assisting', leading to criminal investigation. Just not fair.

Everyone who knows me and my OH has been told that we both want the other to assist in every way possible when either of us have a terminal illness or reach a stage where life would be unbearable for us.

Zonne

^Indeed. Do you know of any country where this is not the case? I don't^

The Netherlands allows people to request, in advance, and receive physician assisted death if they develop any form of dementia.

There was a court case which confirmed the legality of this a couple of years ago.

Thanks for this. Been reading into it, and the situation is not totally clear. But anyhow, a person seeking assistance has to be resident in Belgium.

Oh Maddyone , this is a very raw subject for you, but I expect many of us have a similar tale to tell, and we should be listened to.

so sorry to hear maddyone, my sincere condoleances. And sorry if this discussion is causing distress as far far too close for you atm.

I have 3 close friends who clearly stated they did NOT want to go on with Alzheimer's, having witnessed it very close to them. But left it too late themselves when they were struck, and had to live all the indignities for a long time, totally against their wishes. But having left it too late, nothing could be done.

Zonne

^Indeed. Do you know of any country where this is not the case? I don't^

The Netherlands allows people to request, in advance, and receive physician assisted death if they develop any form of dementia.

There was a court case which confirmed the legality of this a couple of years ago.

This is really really interesting. Must look into this, thanks.

I am so sorry for your loss maddyone

I don’t know what I think about this. My mother died two weeks ago, we haven’t even had the funeral yet, so maybe I’m not in a great position to pass an opinion because I’m so stuck in grief. I often felt so tied with her and everything I did for her but now I miss her so much. She said to me twice’Finish me off’ but I told her I couldn’t because they’d put me in prison. She lived in a care home for her last year. She became unable to walk or even stand and had to be hoisted into or out of bed. She had to use a bedpan and wore large pads all the time. She lost much of her interest in life and it was awful to watch her decline. I’m sure she would have jumped at the chance to end her life in the last few months.

Switzerland

It's sign of the Conservative regime only people with funds are able to buy their dignified death in Syitzerland

Indeed. Do you know of any country where this is not the case? I don't

The Netherlands allows people to request, in advance, and receive physician assisted death if they develop any form of dementia.

There was a court case which confirmed the legality of this a couple of years ago.

Callistemon21

Esspee

My feeling is that the bill doesn’t go far enough but at least it is a step in the right direction.
My greatest fear is dementia and I will happily end my life if I know I am going down that route.

Yes, it would seem to exclude that.

Unfortunately yes, this is the case. Even if you have very clear advanced directives dating back to before the illness.

And yes, both of us have made the same decision. Sadly, that makes making the choice to die in the early stages- as when it is too late, well, it is! We both agree, and we have told our ACs that this would happen. They found it hard at first, but having witnessed the alternative with several relatives- agree with us now.

Esspee

My feeling is that the bill doesn’t go far enough but at least it is a step in the right direction.
My greatest fear is dementia and I will happily end my life if I know I am going down that route.

My worst fear also. I don’t want to reach a stage whereby I just exist. Nor do I want my family to care for someone who doesn’t know who they are as I did with my mother.

Esspee

My feeling is that the bill doesn’t go far enough but at least it is a step in the right direction.
My greatest fear is dementia and I will happily end my life if I know I am going down that route.

Yes, it would seem to exclude that.

FarNorth

Oopsadaisy1 it would be better if severely ill people didn't have to travel, even within Scotland. I hope it is arranged so they don't have to.

This law is intended only for people who are of sound mind and are terminally ill - so, with an illness that is likely to kill them very soon.
It doesn't apply to people with mental disabilities, or non-terminal illness, or dementia.

Indeed. Do you know of any country where this is not the case? I don't. You have to be fully compos mentis. However in some countries, you don't have to have a terminal illness- but to have your quality of life seriously impaired by multiple infirmities/illness.

My feeling is that the bill doesn’t go far enough but at least it is a step in the right direction.
My greatest fear is dementia and I will happily end my life if I know I am going down that route.

I am in favour of this and am sure all necessary restrictions and regulations would be incorporated.

Having witnessed my parents and many patients die an extremely painful death, I am 100% in favour of this bill.

I was a friend of Margo MacDonald’s sister and shared the sorrow of Margo’s suffering with Parkinson’s. She gave a heartfelt speech to the Scottish Government in a plea to pass this bill before she died, unfortunately it fell on deaf ears.

Lucca, as far as I know: Spain, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Canada, parts of the USA, and parts of Australia. Germany’s courts have approved a process, but there isn’t primary legislation yet. And, of course, Switzerland. I think Switzerland is the only place that lets foreigners travel there for assisted dying.

There is an early stage Bill in Ireland.

rather not father

l hope it passes sooner father than later only the Swiss option at present.