Chantal Sebire asks French president to let her die (legal, statistics, death)

[katzenfreund]

I just can't imagine what this woman must be going through. Shouldn't each person to be able to decide when enough is enough if they have an incurable disease that makes their life a misery?

Chantal Sebire begs French president for the right to die | NEWS.com.au (http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23283804-2,00.html - broken link)

[Mooseketeer]

I cannot even imagine what it would like to be trapped in a body or a mind so unresponsive, it makes your life a misery.

I am 100 % for Euthanasia. I want to die with dignity and with no pain. I do not wish to be kept alive to make some people feel better.

Life is about a lot more than simple vital signs. It is about consciousness, experiences, about the way we interact with others.
Having a heartbeat or brainwaves does not make one alive. Not to me anyway. There is much much more to life than lying in a hospital hooked up to a machine, unable to function, think for myself, etc...

Also I do not want to be a burden to anyone and do not want my loved ones to have to see me and care for me when things get so bad, I can no longer look after myself with a modicum of independence.

As long as it is strongly regulated and no Doctors are forced to perform Euthanasia against their will I don't see the problem.

I would like to be able to chose when I decide to go. Not spend months, potentially years as a vegetable.

[katzenfreund]

I feel the same way. As long as there is a strong guidelines that are strictly enforced, why not let people end their life, if it has become unbearable and painful for them, with no chance for a better life? I know a lot of people object on religious grounds, but many people don't subscribe to those religions, so why should we not have that choice?

[Mooseketeer]

Originally Posted by katzenfreund

I feel the same way. As long as there is a strong guidelines that are strictly enforced, why not let people end their life, if it has become unbearable and painful for them, with no chance for a better life? I know a lot of people object on religious grounds, but many people don't subscribe to those religions, so why should we not have that choice?

And yet so many people are terrified of the concept of Euthanasia, as if syringe-happy physicians will line up just to start "killing" people just for the hell of it.

I have always felt like that even as a child. I hate the idea of completely losing control of my body and my mind. It scares me far more than death or missing out on a "miracle" recovery as some people will no doubt start mentioning.

The only kind and compassionate thing to do IMO is to ensure that all of us have dignity in our last moments on earth.

[katzenfreund]

Originally Posted by Mooseketeer

And yet so many people are terrified of the concept of Euthanasia, as if syringe-happy physicians will line up just to start "killing" people just for the hell of it.

I have always felt like that even as a child. I hate the idea of completely losing control of my body and my mind. It scares me far more than death or missing out on a "miracle" recovery as some people will no doubt start mentioning.

The only kind and compassionate thing to do IMO is to ensure that all of us have dignity in our last moments on earth.

People could always wait for their miracle cure, but I would prefer a quick painless exit, if I were in Chantal Sebire's shoes. Death doesn't scare me at all. It's the time leading up to death that can be very scary and extremely painful.
I think it is cruel to take that choice from people. Many resort to much more gruesome ways to die, hanging, jumping from bridges or buildings etc.

[burdell]

two questions some folks hre may have the answers to:


The article says euthanasia is legal in Belgium and the Netherlands, do those countries restrict that to citizens of their respective countries or?

Ha there been a response from Sarkozy?

[Who?Me?!]

Originally Posted by burdell

two questions some folks hre may have the answers to:


The article says euthanasia is legal in Belgium and the Netherlands, do those countries restrict that to citizens of their respective countries or?

Ha there been a response from Sarkozy?

Yes, maybe this woman could go to another country.?! I hope so. I feel so sorry for her....she should have the right to end her own life. No one shoulld be forced to suffer like that.

[katzenfreund]

Originally Posted by burdell

two questions some folks hre may have the answers to:


The article says euthanasia is legal in Belgium and the Netherlands, do those countries restrict that to citizens of their respective countries or?

Ha there been a response from Sarkozy?

Sarkozy has said he can not help her and he will not get involved. A court has just turned down Madame Sebire's request.

In the Netherlands, citizens of other countries are not "eligible" for euthanasia.
I have not yet found a concrete answer for Belgium. One of the requirements is a strong doctor patient relationship. So I assume, if you are a EU citizen, you could move to Belgium and live there for several years, building this relationship. But that would mean leaving friends and family behind for the last years of your life. One can not just go to Belgium and request Euthanasia. Their rules are also stricter than those of the Netherlands. There it seems to be considered euthanasia also if
"In some cases, medical treatment is stopped, or not started at all, said Wim Distelmans, chairman of Belgium’s euthanasia evaluation committee."

This isn't what Euthanasia means to me, stopping or not starting treatment is not ACTIVELY ending a terminally ill patients life. So I wonder how reliable any numbers or statistics would be.

[BagongBuhay]

I would commit suicide. Probably have done it a lot sooner.

[katzenfreund]

I believe I would have, also. I think she is incredibly brave to keep living like this.