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Original poster

Would you choose Doctor Assisted Suicide for yourself?

276 replies

MooseBreath · 23/01/2023 11:23

Hypothetically, would you wish to sign a waiver in early stages of dementia or an illness that would one day severely reduce cognitive function? Or what circumstances would you want Doctor Assisted Suicide, if any?

I was thinking about it and I would. I don't want to live in a world without recognising my loved ones or where I cannot remember to do basic things like go to the toilet, wash myself, or eat. At that stage, for me, quality of life would be too far gone.

Maybe signing early on with very clear boundaries on what I was able to do and understand. Kind of like in the book "Still Alice".

Inspired by the thread on euthanasia and MAiD. Not here to start a bunfight, not here to discuss whether or not euthanasia should be legal, not here to discuss the ramifications of MAiD.

Interested to hear people's thoughts on the matter, purely about themselves.

OP posts:
ArseInTheDogBowl · 23/01/2023 11:28

Yes I would, after seeing three of my grandparents suffer horribly towards the end.

I would want this if I had dementia, or if I was physically that unwell that I was in constant pain and/or unable to do basic things for myself like washing/go to the toilet/eat. If I felt I was just existing as opposed to actually being able to 'live' still.

Myneighboursnorlax · 23/01/2023 11:30

Yes I would. 100%

Flammkuchen · 23/01/2023 11:30

Yes, I would. I saw my grandfather go from proud and active to confused and dependent.

When the end is inevitable, I would like to gather my family around, thank them for a good life and then go with dignity. Basically, a good death.

Badknitter · 23/01/2023 11:30

Yes, definitely

Fabuleuse · 23/01/2023 11:31

No

trythisforsize · 23/01/2023 11:31

Yes I would personally like the comfort of knowing I was going to die peacefully when I am no longer living a fulfilling life. I'd like the end to be my decision. The thought of lingering with pain and breathing problems is horrific.

CMOTDibbler · 23/01/2023 11:32

Yes. My mum always said she didn't want to be kept alive with dementia, and then she had it. She spent a lot of time terrified, unable to understand even what was on a plate in front of her let alone who any one was. I don't want dh and ds to have to go through what I did - and in fact for ds to lose me like he did his grandmother. And yes, I lost my grandmother to suicide and I understand what that was like too as she died when I was 13

Bumbers · 23/01/2023 11:32

Yes. 100%

Prokupatuscrakedatus · 23/01/2023 11:34

Yes!!!

BooksAndHooks · 23/01/2023 11:34

100 per cent yes.

Emmamoo89 · 23/01/2023 11:34

Yes

DressingForRevenge · 23/01/2023 11:36

Yes, I’ve got MS and I don’t want to be “locked” inside a body which no longer functions.

Dodecaheidyin · 23/01/2023 11:36

Yes.

Original poster
MooseBreath · 23/01/2023 11:37

2 of my grandparents have dementia and it has been so hard on them. Like @Flammkuchen, my grandfather was the most animated, funny, clever man who became an angry, confused shell of himself. It's so scary to see. He would never have wanted to stay alive like that, but was too far gone before anything could be done with his consent.

OP posts:
GreenLeavesRustling · 23/01/2023 11:37

Yes I wish it was an option

TheMousePipes · 23/01/2023 11:38

Yes, 100%

IsadoraQuagmire · 23/01/2023 11:38

Yes, of course.

Bestcatmum · 23/01/2023 11:38

Absolutely I would. I've worked in the NHS for more than 40 years and I know exactly what I want and don't want. I already have a STEP form - do not resuscitate and so on but that can be overturned if the medics don't think its appropriate.
I am furious we are not allowed euthanasia in this country.
Our cats and dogs get better mercy treatment than we do.

Tiny2018 · 23/01/2023 11:38

100%, yes.

ThreeRingCircus · 23/01/2023 11:39

Most definitely. I think we give animals more dignity than other humans and would put a dog to sleep if it were in constant pain or terminally ill and bodily functions no longer working.

I think this is a no brainer if someone is cognitively with it enough to decide for themselves, but more difficult in cases like dementia where at the point someone would choose a peaceful, assisted suicide then they are likely not able to make that decision for themselves as the disease is too far gone. That needs thought but I would still support assisted suicide as an option.

PowerhouseOfTheCell · 23/01/2023 11:39

Yes, I refuse to be a cabbage. Even if the only option was to take me behind the shed old yeller style

RoseBucket · 23/01/2023 11:39

Yes, having worked on elderly care wards, it’s awful to see what some of the patients go through @CMOTDibbler describes it very well.

I’ve had patients families cry and apologise for the family member and we try and reassure them that they don’t need to but when they see their parent scared, sometimes abusive, stripping off etc they often tell me their history, proud people who had careers, families etc it’s hard for them to see their parent at this stage, I’d do it to protect me daughter.

Clariana · 23/01/2023 11:40

Yes absolutely. The sooner it is legal the better.

SmileWithADimple · 23/01/2023 11:40

Yes, I would.

However my experience with elderly relatives is that they are all very pragmatic about this before it actually happens to them, whereas afterwards they seem to want to cling on to life even with (what seems to us) a poor quality of life. Maybe I'll be the same when I get to that age...?

CloudPop · 23/01/2023 11:40

Yes, for sure