Sheaf Saint Posted 13 June, 2011 Share Posted 13 June, 2011 Is anybody else watching this thoroughly absorbing documentary on BBC2? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timebomb Posted 13 June, 2011 Share Posted 13 June, 2011 We had to switch over, my son couldn't cope, I will catch it later! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotty Posted 13 June, 2011 Share Posted 13 June, 2011 As my 86 year old mother in law was staying with us, I thought it more appropriate to catch up tomorrow on the iplayer. Definitely want to see it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint-scooby Posted 13 June, 2011 Share Posted 13 June, 2011 Anything to sell a few more books Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotty Posted 13 June, 2011 Share Posted 13 June, 2011 ^ cynic alert.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thefunkygibbons Posted 14 June, 2011 Share Posted 14 June, 2011 Surprisingly well made film I stand on one side of this debate, but actually thought he was reasonably balanced and allowed the story to tell itself Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldNick Posted 14 June, 2011 Share Posted 14 June, 2011 Anything to sell a few more books I know him and one thing is for certain, money does not drive him. A very private and charitable man, who is trying his best to cope with an illness.He is using his fame to try and get difficult subjects high on the political agenda. It is a nonsense that people cannot die in dignity. I have a friend who has MS and it is wrong that the time of death in his terms is not allowed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thefunkygibbons Posted 14 June, 2011 Share Posted 14 June, 2011 Terry Pratchett used to work at CEGB in Marchwood many years ago, so there is a local connection Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickn Posted 14 June, 2011 Share Posted 14 June, 2011 I know him and one thing is for certain, money does not drive him. A very private and charitable man, who is trying his best to cope with an illness.He is using his fame to try and get difficult subjects high on the political agenda. It is a nonsense that people cannot die in dignity. I have a friend who has MS and it is wrong that the time of death in his terms is not allowed. I totally agree. My mum has had severe dementia now for about 10 years. She can do nothing for herself, she does not recognise anyone and has just the faintest recognition of my dad, who with help, cares for her 24 hours a day. I now struggle to remember what she was like before this set in. If I ever get this dreadful illness there is no way I want to see my days out like this, she has no quality of life at all and this may sound callous but my dad has worked all his life and his retirement has been mostly taken up with caring for my mum. He will not hear of putting her in a home and tbh I don't know how he does it, I don't honestly know that I could. I would not like people to remember me as my mum is, that's for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridge too far Posted 14 June, 2011 Share Posted 14 June, 2011 I didn't see the programme last night but I did watch the discussion on Newsnight afterwards. My poor mum, who was paralysed in one arm from polio at the age of 32, suffered dreadfully towards the end of her life. She had diabetes that caused her to lose her sight and leukaemia. The drugs she took for that made her very sick. Because of her lack of sight and because she was weak from leukaemia, she had a bad fall that, unbeknown to us (and her GP) caused a problem with her spine. So gradually she lost all movement. In many ways the worst thing was that she had all her mental faculties. So there she was, unable to move and barely eat and blind into the bargain. What a dreadful life! She often said to me that she wished she could 'join Dad' who had died 10 years earlier. I'm too scared to suffer like that. I would want to end my life on a comparative high. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickn Posted 14 June, 2011 Share Posted 14 June, 2011 I didn't see the programme last night but I did watch the discussion on Newsnight afterwards. My poor mum, who was paralysed in one arm from polio at the age of 32, suffered dreadfully towards the end of her life. She had diabetes that caused her to lose her sight and leukaemia. The drugs she took for that made her very sick. Because of her lack of sight and because she was weak from leukaemia, she had a bad fall that, unbeknown to us (and her GP) caused a problem with her spine. So gradually she lost all movement. In many ways the worst thing was that she had all her mental faculties. So there she was, unable to move and barely eat and blind into the bargain. What a dreadful life! She often said to me that she wished she could 'join Dad' who had died 10 years earlier. I'm too scared to suffer like that. I would want to end my life on a comparative high. Your mum obviously suffered much more than my mum, at least my mum has no idea what is happening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridge too far Posted 14 June, 2011 Share Posted 14 June, 2011 Your mum obviously suffered much more than my mum, at least my mum has no idea what is happening. I think everyone's pain or suffering is relevant to them Mick. You and your family are suffering in ways that we didn't and, to some extent, I understand how hard it must be for you all to see your mother as she is now. My dad had a major stroke that left him like a child. It was devastating to see this proud, highly intelligent and successful business man reduced to the behaviour of an infant. I often wondered if he actually knew how things were. I also often wondered if he was given an overdose of morphine. That's not an accusation, it was actually a relief that he died. Given all I've said earlier about my mother's problems, there was no way she could have looked after him. And, if he'd gone into a nursing home, she couldn't have visited very often as she couldn't drive. It's great that 'we' are able to keep people alive longer but I do seriously wonder if sometimes it's not as good as we like to think it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benjii Posted 14 June, 2011 Share Posted 14 June, 2011 I totally agree. My mum has had severe dementia now for about 10 years. She can do nothing for herself, she does not recognise anyone and has just the faintest recognition of my dad, who with help, cares for her 24 hours a day. I now struggle to remember what she was like before this set in. If I ever get this dreadful illness there is no way I want to see my days out like this, she has no quality of life at all and this may sound callous but my dad has worked all his life and his retirement has been mostly taken up with caring for my mum. He will not hear of putting her in a home and tbh I don't know how he does it, I don't honestly know that I could. I would not like people to remember me as my mum is, that's for sure. Terribly sad situation and you have my sympathy (along with your mum and dad). The problem with something like dementia though, is at what point can the decision be made? Presumably your mum couldn't make that decision now, so at what point could she have? It's a very difficult area (stupidly obvious statement of the year award goes to me). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benjii Posted 14 June, 2011 Share Posted 14 June, 2011 I didn't see the programme last night but I did watch the discussion on Newsnight afterwards. My poor mum, who was paralysed in one arm from polio at the age of 32, suffered dreadfully towards the end of her life. She had diabetes that caused her to lose her sight and leukaemia. The drugs she took for that made her very sick. Because of her lack of sight and because she was weak from leukaemia, she had a bad fall that, unbeknown to us (and her GP) caused a problem with her spine. So gradually she lost all movement. In many ways the worst thing was that she had all her mental faculties. So there she was, unable to move and barely eat and blind into the bargain. What a dreadful life! She often said to me that she wished she could 'join Dad' who had died 10 years earlier. I'm too scared to suffer like that. I would want to end my life on a comparative high. That is terribly sad too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sergei Gotsmanov Posted 14 June, 2011 Share Posted 14 June, 2011 Mick and BTF these are truelly awful scenarios to endure. It would be my worst nightmare and I like you would rather the wife made the decision for me. My only concern is if the decision is taken out of the hands of families or if bad advice is given. The worst scenario would be if less caring families opted for the route of convenience. It is a minefield. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickn Posted 14 June, 2011 Share Posted 14 June, 2011 Benjii and Sergei, I totally agree with the points you make about who would make the decision etc. I would like to think that if I ended up like my mum something could be done to finish my life with a bit of dignity. Mind you, my daughter wants to put me in a home now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saintandy666 Posted 14 June, 2011 Share Posted 14 June, 2011 Mick and BTF these are truelly awful scenarios to endure. It would be my worst nightmare and I like you would rather the wife made the decision for me. My only concern is if the decision is taken out of the hands of families or if bad advice is given. The worst scenario would be if less caring families opted for the route of convenience. It is a minefield. But I think with proper regulation and controls this can be achieved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huntingdon Posted 14 June, 2011 Share Posted 14 June, 2011 I've heard the arguments about Euthanasia is inhumane, but I watched my Grandad die from Cancer. He was a big bloke, 16st when he was diagnosed with Cancer of the Colon. He was told he had 6 months to live, but was dead within 6 weeks. I saw him the day before he died, and he was now skin & bones. He was drugged up to his eyeballs to numb the pain and was throwing up a horrible green bile. It was an undignified and painful end to a good life, so when people say it's inhumane to put humans to sleep, my question is - is it not more inhumane to make people suffer like that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridge too far Posted 14 June, 2011 Share Posted 14 June, 2011 Mick and BTF these are truelly awful scenarios to endure. It would be my worst nightmare and I like you would rather the wife made the decision for me. My only concern is if the decision is taken out of the hands of families or if bad advice is given. The worst scenario would be if less caring families opted for the route of convenience. It is a minefield. Indeed it is. And I'm not sure at all how legislation can be introduced to ensure that convenience or will-chasing doesn't feature. I guess doctors have to have a significant say in the matter. If it were to become possible and legal, I would certainly consider writing a 'living will' stating the conditions that would have to endure before I could be put to sleep. And that a doctor would have to advise that those conditions had been met. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjsaint Posted 14 June, 2011 Share Posted 14 June, 2011 There have been too many suicides in my family for me to feel comfortable with any kind of suicide. I am not out to judge anyone else's moral choices, but I would prefer to live in a country where suicide is not promoted as a healthcare choice. When the time comes, I am prepared to suffer if necessary. That, to me, is dignity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldNick Posted 14 June, 2011 Share Posted 14 June, 2011 My niece works as a carer. She was helping a man who is bedbound, unable to help himself, but mentally fine, he had a sudden uncontrolled release from his bowels. I cannot imagine how awful a decent person would feel to put a young person through that.Is that dignity,humanity and a caring society. Yes there is always the chance of abuse but why put people through the emotional and psychological stress of such a terrible end to lives? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperMikey Posted 14 June, 2011 Share Posted 14 June, 2011 Excellent documentary about a subject very close to my heart. My gran was diagnosed with dementia several years ago and has had a few scares recently with her health, being hospitalised a few times in the last year or so. She lives on her own, having been widowed almost 30 years ago. Recently she's started asking questions about death, asking whether there is enough room in her father's grave for her. I'm not sure whether she would want to take this particular route of self-termination, but I think it's right to have the option. Who are we to say who lives and dies? If I had as serious an affliction as the people in the documentary did, I would not want to see my condition through to the end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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