Mayflies

Fleurpepper, I think we are in agreement that any discussion of assisted dying is useful.

However, I do have some sympathy with what paddyann wrote. I had thought the same myself but couldn't think of an example to illustrate it.

I recently watched a drama series set in Canada and when the police officer arrested someone I noticed that the caution was different to ours. It did cross my mind, after what has been said about this, would some expect a disclaimer at the end? It'll never end, if we go down that path.

paddyann, what a most unfortunate comment, in this context.
I truly expect better fo you.

I wonder why we dont get grans on here complaining about all the legal dramas set in ENGLAND that has a different system of law to us here in Scotland...should we be asking for info at the end of every drama from Dixon of Dock Green onwards?

Or ask for DOCUMENTARIES lol...explaining that we are different COUNTRIES despite the fact people south of the Rio Tweed seem to believe we're a region of England.

spouse or AC, sorry!

Yes, Volver. We all bring our own experiences to any discussion. I have been a member of Dignity in Dying for a very long time- so I am particularly aware of so many cases where a spouse has been interviewed under caution, and the stress it causes. And the fact some people choose to go alone, for fear of spouse of AC, etc- get into trouble with the Law on return.

If this discussion, and even disagreements, have made anyone think about the issues, and become more aware of the reality out there, then that is good.

A friend of mine finally watched it and actually had a row with me when I explained about the law in Scotland being different from the rest of the UK, she was adamant the laws were the same. I ended up telling her to go and read up about it. That shows that not everyone watching knew about the different laws and it wasn't really explained in Mayflies. I know it was a drama, but it was true to life in many other ways.
I thought the life long friendship was great, the music and their home lives was well done. My friend of 40 years sadly has secondary breast cancer, we met in the 80s and had those drunken, mad nights out. Mayflies just took me back to our great times together and the memories we both have of it all.

I'm glad we are discussing it Fleurpepper, thank you for that comment.

What was in the drama was reality. I sincerely didn't think about this aspect, of how people in rUK might be misled, until it was discussed on here; for me it was a heart-rending drama about life long friendship.

No harping on- this is a discussion. We don't agree, that's ok. And it has made me rethink what I earlier said, perhaps others too. That's OK too. The word 'documentary' was the wrong word, I agree. Perhaps a short explanation about the difference in Law between Scotland and the rest of UK, and information about Dignity in Dying, perhaps. No-one has talked about an instruction manual!!!

Because people thinking, when watching this film, living in England, Wales and NI, would get the false idea that they would be legally able to assist, or ask for assistance from loved ones.

Listen to Alex. He also had a wonderful and moving interview on Good Morning Britain.

youtu.be/0S1yn-7SFGc

It is 'important to me' that people know what the reality is.

I'm sorry too keep harping on about this Fleurpepper as I can see that it is important to you.

But this drama was set in Scotland and based on a true example of something that happened in Scotland, to Scottish people who were acting under Scottish law. A disclaimer at the end about how if you have any issues with the content etc, you should contact xxx organisation on yyy telephone number, OK, understandable.

But a documentary? Do we have documentaries at the end of Happy Valley for police officers whose children have taken their own lives, or who have been betrayed by their family members? "Remember viewers, we're here to tell you what to do and here are documentaries to help you with that?"

It was a drama set in a place where what they were doing was not illegal. Not an instruction manual.

From Dignity in Dying website:

Travelling abroad to die is by no means an easy decision. There are many challenges dying people have to face:

Cost of more than £10,000. The law discriminates between rich and poor.
A difficult journey. Many people travel thousands of miles at a point where they are in great pain and distress.
A loss of control. The law forces dying people to travel earlier than they would choose. This is because they fear that they will not be able to make the journey later.

Those who go with their loved one and are present during the process face the risk of prosecution and up to 14 years in prison when they return to the UK. It is clear that the current legal situation is unacceptable. Until this changes and assisted dying islaw this injustice will continue.

Iam64

That’s your strongly held view Fleurpepper. It isn’t shared by every poster, as is expected.

Drama’s use dramatic licence. It’s a drama, not a documentary.

I have thought about this a lot since reading this thread and watching Mayflies- and perhaps you are right. In which case, it should have been followed by a documentary explaining that the Law in Scotland is that relatives and friends helping out to organise travel to Switzerland, and accompany them, will not be open to arrest, interrogation and prosecution.

In other parts of the UK- friends and family who do- are at risk. Returning home on your own is hard enough- having the police knock on the door to interrogate you, being taken to police station, and at times, as has happened in Wales, a lot worse, is just intolerable.

If you do feel the Law should be changed in the UK, both in respect of family and friends helping, not being at risk of interrogation and possible prosecution (as in Scotland)- and of course mainly so that people will be able to choose to die in the UK, and not have to travel abroad, and as said above, often far too early to ensure that one has the strength to travel-

please join Dignity in Dying.

It upset me watching this, tremendous acting though. I do think you should be able to end your life in such awful circumstances. The trauma of going to another country with your nearest and dearest, them coming home alone had me in floods of tears. Why can’t too much morphine be administered in their own home? Get the permission from three doctors, including the specialist who diagnosed the disease and has the supporting evidence. Then you know it’s an act of kindness and humanity and not of gain to anyone else.
How could anyone say you haven’t the right to end your own life in the circumstances, they are not the ones who are suffering,

Eloethan

I thought this was a very well done drama. I believe people should have the right to decide to die if they can no longer cope with ever worsening pain. At the moment, it is only those who can afford to go to Switzerland who are allowed this dignity.

... and sadly they have to go to Switzerland to die sooner than they would have liked because of needing to be able to travel.

I thought this was a very well done drama. I believe people should have the right to decide to die if they can no longer cope with ever worsening pain. At the moment, it is only those who can afford to go to Switzerland who are allowed this dignity.

Or I wish they had more choice esp given our health service which hid love the people who work there but the government have underfunded and just looked in whilst peoples care isn’t met

Sophrosyne

I remember watching "How to Die: Simons Choice" a documentary on assisted dying - it is still available on BBC IPlayer.

I think this is what I remembered earlier up thread. It was upsetting but I’ve also lost lots of people in far more distressing circumstances and I appreciate that people need choice

I remember watching "How to Die: Simons Choice" a documentary on assisted dying - it is still available on BBC IPlayer.

Thanks volver

Look, it was a typo.

Iam instead of I am. nothing to do with Iam64

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Yes, it is. And as this is a Forum and a discussion, and I do feel strongly about people understanding the truth and the realities, in the context of changes to the Law in other parts of the UK, currently- that is OK. We disagree.

That’s your strongly held view Fleurpepper. It isn’t shared by every poster, as is expected.

Drama’s use dramatic licence. It’s a drama, not a documentary.

Iam64

Is anyone posting opposed to assisted dying? I can’t see any reason not to move towards this.

the only issue I have with it is eugenics and how people are viewed with learning disabilities etc but if the guidelines are clear then I think it is a kinder way of death in lots of cases

MawtheMerrier

^Iam very sorry if I 'assumed' wrong. I would have thought that anyone who, for any reason, is affected by the concept and realities of Assisted Dying, would feel that it is very important that facts, in a play or book, are pictured with accuracy, and without major elements not portrayed^
I think it is entirely understandable for someone whose DH died just a matter of weeks ago, might find this subject too close to home.
Tact and sensitivity seem to be in short supply.

One cannot guess all the personal circumstances of posters.

If some says 'it is just a play' then one has to take the comment as said.

But the reality and the truth is important- and this all the more for anyone who has or is facing, the issues protrayed in the film.