I want the choice to die with dignity
Judith Daley, 71, pens this moving open letter on why she supports voluntary euthanasia.
I am a life member of Dying with Dignity. I am on the Dying with Dignity Committee and a member of the Voluntary Euthanasia Party.
The first half of my working life was in office administration and those experiences shaped my desire to work in social justice. I was 49 before I went to university for the first time. The last half of my working life was basically all about social justice as a union industrial officer and delegate; as a conciliation officer with the Human Rights Commission and as an industrial investigator.
My late partner, Bob, had a rare heart condition so he and I were forced to focus on his possible imminent death on many, many occasions. We joined Dying with Dignity NSW in the early 1990s and we became life members in 1999. I am now on that Committee. Bob had lots of emergency admissions to hospital via ambulance and we heard frequent excruciating, screaming, moaning deaths so he became extremely apprehensive about the manner of his death although he wasn’t worried about the destination.
Bob died nearly eight years ago and I am pleased that he died at home, with my arm around him, in a very speedy manner.
Approximately 20 years ago I was diagnosed with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, also known as emphysema) because I am an ex-smoker. This means I have had to face my mortality on several occasions when I have had out of control lung infections and pneumonia. I’ve had several trips to hospital and been obliged to use oxygen to supplement my breathing. Although my condition is currently well managed it will gradually deteriorate and ultimately I will not be breathing. I will be gurgling so I have the same concerns about the manner of my death.
Sadly I am very aware that not all pain can be controlled by today's drugs and the palliative care processes. For people in that circumstance, and for whom the future is intolerable, and who are mentally competent to make the decision, assisted death should be a real, dignified and viable option. With proper safeguards in place it will not be a slippery slope. It is not compulsory for those who do not want to take that option but they should not be able to control my choice.
Without assisted dying legislation our community is imposing prolonged agony and misery on some people as well as forcing the families and friends of those people to participate in their distress and anxiety. And this suffering can last for months and even years.
I want the choice of voluntary euthanasia because it is the humane option for some and I believe it is a fundamental human right. Let's treat people as well as we treat our pets.
Do you think we should be given the choice of voluntary euthanasia? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
If you have a story or opinion to share, please get in touch at melody@oversixty.com.au
Related links:
Dementia patients at risk of malnutrition
Signs your elderly loved one is suffering abuse or neglect
How to talk to loved ones about a serious illness diagnosis