In the coming weeks, I'll interview a friend whose mother's death was helped by Dignitas, an association that counsels individuals (and loved ones) with end-of-life choices.
Wonderful important topic. My father felt that a death with dignity was imperative in a civil society. He felt we treat our pets better than our family members when it comes to death. He had two books he asked me to read that he had studied. Derek Humphry's FINAL EXIT and LET ME DIE BEFORE I WAKE. He thought the law had been passed beginning of 2017 but all his doctors wouldn't help him because there were new medicines they wanted him to take and they wanted to make money off of. I read both books and learned how we could do it ourselves quite simply. He died an agonizing death on 3/09/2018. My dad thought Soylent Green had the right idea. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soylent_Green. I think this is a very important topic and believe that death should be as easy to talk about as birth and sex.
I have also been aware of this topic lately. I'm following Andrea Gibson who has been battling terminal cancer, more from a spiritual perspective. I think one of the hard things for me is the simple logistics of setting the date and time for someone's death. My only experience here is with my cat. And I knew it was the right thing to do, but knowing it was going to happen Tuesday at 5, was really hard to take. They only thing that made it ok, was that the cat didn't know when the appointment was! So I'm not sure what the question is, but something like how did her mom feel about knowing the exact time and date that she was going to move on? Was she ready? Did it give her peace to know? My other question, is there any repercussions at all back in the states if you leave with your mother and she dies abroad?
I would absolutely support this. I believe that if more people spoke more openly about this, there would be a lot less suffering for both the individuals contemplating it and their family members, friends, etc. I’d be interested in learning about: what led up to the decision to partner with Dignitas, how the process worked, and your friend’s perception of the pros and cons. Thank you for this!
I haven't read Amy Bloom's book yet, but I plan to. I wonder how this decision is made in regards to dementia. I assume it has to be made in the early stages. But if it takes time to arrange, and the dementia progresses, is the person still able to follow through?
I think it's awful that people aren't allowed to make that choice and the people who assist can be charged. These are situations that won't getting better and the person is in constant pain. It's the same people who take away a woman's right to abortion and birth control. It's is a reoccurring problem with religion in our country. They need to keep their beliefs to themselves
I would ask these questions: Do you (and did your mother) believe that a person's soul lives eternally in a spiritual state after the body dies? If so, do you believe you will be reunited with her after your own death? How did these beliefs (or disbeliefs) influence her decisions and yours? Do they shape how you feel now?
If I'm ready to end my life, it is good to know I can ask for assistance. But I do not know how to qualify and would not want to jump through a lot of hoops.
Does your friend have any regrets? Are there days when she has thought twice about it?
Wonderful important topic. My father felt that a death with dignity was imperative in a civil society. He felt we treat our pets better than our family members when it comes to death. He had two books he asked me to read that he had studied. Derek Humphry's FINAL EXIT and LET ME DIE BEFORE I WAKE. He thought the law had been passed beginning of 2017 but all his doctors wouldn't help him because there were new medicines they wanted him to take and they wanted to make money off of. I read both books and learned how we could do it ourselves quite simply. He died an agonizing death on 3/09/2018. My dad thought Soylent Green had the right idea. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soylent_Green. I think this is a very important topic and believe that death should be as easy to talk about as birth and sex.
I have also been aware of this topic lately. I'm following Andrea Gibson who has been battling terminal cancer, more from a spiritual perspective. I think one of the hard things for me is the simple logistics of setting the date and time for someone's death. My only experience here is with my cat. And I knew it was the right thing to do, but knowing it was going to happen Tuesday at 5, was really hard to take. They only thing that made it ok, was that the cat didn't know when the appointment was! So I'm not sure what the question is, but something like how did her mom feel about knowing the exact time and date that she was going to move on? Was she ready? Did it give her peace to know? My other question, is there any repercussions at all back in the states if you leave with your mother and she dies abroad?
I would absolutely support this. I believe that if more people spoke more openly about this, there would be a lot less suffering for both the individuals contemplating it and their family members, friends, etc. I’d be interested in learning about: what led up to the decision to partner with Dignitas, how the process worked, and your friend’s perception of the pros and cons. Thank you for this!
I haven't read Amy Bloom's book yet, but I plan to. I wonder how this decision is made in regards to dementia. I assume it has to be made in the early stages. But if it takes time to arrange, and the dementia progresses, is the person still able to follow through?
I think it's awful that people aren't allowed to make that choice and the people who assist can be charged. These are situations that won't getting better and the person is in constant pain. It's the same people who take away a woman's right to abortion and birth control. It's is a reoccurring problem with religion in our country. They need to keep their beliefs to themselves
I would ask these questions: Do you (and did your mother) believe that a person's soul lives eternally in a spiritual state after the body dies? If so, do you believe you will be reunited with her after your own death? How did these beliefs (or disbeliefs) influence her decisions and yours? Do they shape how you feel now?
If I'm ready to end my life, it is good to know I can ask for assistance. But I do not know how to qualify and would not want to jump through a lot of hoops.