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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to be so moved by the Tony Nicklinson case?

95 replies

Wigglewoo · 17/08/2012 07:10

The poor man :( .. Totally sound of mind but unable to move or communicate except for moving his eyelids ... Denied the right to die.

One of the things that really moved me was how tenderly his wife was caring for him, they have been together so long and there is real unconditional love between them. The kind of love that lasts beyond everything.

So so sad.

OP posts:

Original poster

Wigglewoo · 17/08/2012 13:48

Wow I didnt expect so many replies when I started this.

I think it comes down to the fact that a normal person (that sounds awful but I can't think of a better way of wording it) would be physically able to end their life if they wanted to. He has had that right taken away from him through no fault of his own and all he wants is to be able to die when he chooses, not spend the next (potentially) 30 years trapped in his body.

I don't think anyone is suggesting disabled people who wish to live should feel under pressure or influence to end their lives. Sure it is a case by case consideration for those who request it.

It is my greatest fear to end up like Tony Nicklinson. I can't imagine how horrific it must be to be of compLetely sound mind and unable to move or communicate. Its like being trapped in a box and unable to do anything but peer out of a small glass window for the rest of your life.

I think people should have the right to die providing they are deemed of sound mind.

OP posts:

HokeyCokeyPigInAPokey · 17/08/2012 13:59

My mum has a life limiting illness.

She has joined dignitas and has told us that when the time comes and she does not want to continue she will go there and end her life.

I don't want my mum to die but who am I to try and stop her. I'm not in her shoes.

That they have denied him the right to die is disgusting and my heart breaks for him.

Emmielu · 17/08/2012 15:05

My blood boiled when I saw the news about Tony this morning. He knows what he wants. His family accept it, ok its not what they want but they don't want to watch their loved one suffer over months or years. Breaks my heart that all the hard work has resulted in this.

lowfatiscrap12 · 17/08/2012 15:19

Emmielu, he doesn't need to suffer. He can go to Dignitas. They don't want to go because he wants to die at home with the people he loves. Which I can understand totally. But assisted suicide at Dignitas is still an option for him, according to todays papers, should he want to do that.

Emmielu · 17/08/2012 15:33

But he should have the right to die at home if it's what he wants. This is what I don't understand. He has the right to die another way but if he wants to die at home that's a no go.

mayorquimby · 17/08/2012 16:10

That they have denied him the right to die is disgusting and my heart breaks for him.

But it's not the judges denying him this right, it's the law. Judges are not there to create law, they are there to interpret and apply it. If there is no way in which the current law allows for an interpretation which would legalise assisted suicide there's nothing they can do.

The law needs to change, but that is not the judges role

HokeyCokeyPigInAPokey · 17/08/2012 16:34

The law really does need to change.

If/when my mum decides it is time then it would be easier to cope with if she could be here with her family.

threesocksmorganwinsgold · 17/08/2012 16:38

the trouble is he is not dying, so the way it sounded on the news it would be murder.
I feel for him still, but think a change in the law would be political suicide for the government.

HokeyCokeyPigInAPokey · 17/08/2012 16:45

No he's not dying but he has no quality of life.

My mum's illness will not kill her but it will take her to a point where her quality if life is so diminished she will not want to carry on.

We treat animals with more respect than humans.

ColouringIn · 17/08/2012 16:51

Methinks that those who are able but terminally ill could if sympathetic help him out. It would never get to court and his thoughts are well documented.

danteV · 17/08/2012 16:57

I don't think he took his case to court because he couldn't find anyone to help him. Yes a terminal person could help and prob not get to court.
That's not the point.
It baffles me with the 'he could go to dignitas' yes he could but why should hr?
He is an adult of sound mind and wants to die at home. He doesn't want his wife to come home and face any possible charges.
He wants to die in peace and comfort. Why is that so wrong?

LadyBeagleEyes · 17/08/2012 16:58

It has to be an Act of Parliament, the judges hands are tied by the law.
I know Margo Macdonald, Scottish MSP, who has Parkinsons is fighting for this Bill to go through the Scottish Parliament.
She lost the vote the first time, but has introduced it again with amendments.
I fully back her, and I would be very Proud if Scotland introduced it.

Birdsgottafly · 17/08/2012 17:24

If/when my mum decides it is time then it would be easier to cope with if she could be here with her family.

In the case of life limiting illnesses, the person, family and doctors can decide that enough is enough and when i wroked end of life care, it was called 'pathway to death', so suffering and treating etc can come to an end.

Patients could be put on 'TLC' which meant no intervention except pain relief etc.

The problem is that TN's condition isn't life limiting, as such, he wants his life tocome to an end.

Anyone with a life limiting ilness doesn't have to go to Dignitas.

thedizzy1 · 17/08/2012 17:31

This story terrifies me on so many levels. I agree with a previous poster, that cases such as these should be decided on an indIvidual basis, thus staving off any potential abuse/coercion.
As someone who has had a number of strokes in the brain stem, locked -in syndrome is a very real possibility for me,should my condition deteriorate. I think it's disgusting that his condition seems to render his wishes invalid. I think compassion seems to have bypassed some people.

RubyFakeNails · 17/08/2012 17:58

Something needs to change I think the way he is being forced to live is inhumane.

I think there should be a council or board who operate confidentially and work solely with these cases, it needs to include multiple relevant people and be algal process in order to gain approval. I would think that although it may not be quick, it is the most effective way of giving people the option and limitin abuse. There has to be a select group who are responsible and accountable for the decision it should not be that you can see any judge and gain approval and then any doctor, definitely no a blanket law either.

Also I don't know if doctors can do this or feel they can do this? I wouldn't like to think doctors are made to end a life, so it would be a sort of voluntary thing I think and only done maybe by a medical team who work specifically for the board.

IslaValargeone · 17/08/2012 18:01

So how does someone like Tony Nicklinson organise a Dignitas death if he can't move/ speak etc and can't enlist the help of someone else due to threat of proscecution?

Birdsgottafly · 17/08/2012 18:04

There would still need to be a change in the law.

'Multiple' and 'relevent' people won't act without guidance and legal clarification, that is how they are trained to operate.

The more experienced and qualified/aware of ethical POV, that you are, makes you unwilling to make this sort of decision, tbh.

danteV · 17/08/2012 18:26

That's the point birds they are forcing him to live like that, for a long time.

epeesarepointythings · 17/08/2012 18:35

My father has Parkinson's disease and is worsening fast.

I am very happy that he lives in Holland.

Birdsgottafly · 17/08/2012 18:38

'They' aren't forcing him, the law to allow this doesn't exist.

This needs to go beyond UK law and involve the EU, also.

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