You know, I’ve just seen a piece of news on the BBC’s teletext service, and on their news website.
And I must admit it’s … well … got me disturbed …
As you probably know, I’ve been a fan of Terry Pratchett and the Discworld, since the mid 1980’s, when I first read his novels.
I’ve loved them from the start and watched them grow, expand and improve, along with Sir Terry’s skills as a writer, as the series has progressed.
I’ve never met the man, but think well of him. Outside of immediate family, he’s been a big influence on my life; made me laugh and cry, got me thinking, and certainly shaped my opinion on things.
So hearing the news, a couple of years ago, that he’d been diagnosed with a rare form of early-onset Alzheimer’s was devastating.
Especially in view of the fact the disease killed a much-loved grandmother.
Emotional territory …
You can possibly imagine, can’t you?
So seeing the article that that told me he was supporting a bill going through the House of Lords, to legalise assisted suicide was interesting to read.
And has provoked a certain amount of mixed feelings.
On the one hand, I’m very supportive of Terry’s — and the bill’s — basic position that anyone with a life threatening condition should, while they’re in a fit enough state to make the decision, be allowed to seek help in taking their lives, and be assured that those who help them die should not be subject to any kind of criminal prosecution.
But …
But …
Jeez …
But something about this revolts me.
Maybe that’s too strong a phrase.
I think my objections, here, are quite simple.
I don’t want to see my favourite writer die. Although I realise that — with the condition he has — an assisted suicide bill is going to have a lot of appeal.
I’m just not sure whether it’s something my Gran would’ve have gone for, although this is something I can’t speak of — some years after her death, — with any certainty. I know an old friend’s father died of Cancer; and Carol, many a time, told me her father wouldn’t have gone anywhere near the option, had it been available.
I also know that I have no idea of what I’d do, in Terry’s shoes; possibly I’d be thinking that this would be an option, but …
Well …
I like life. I don’t know want to die.
Never having been brought up in any particular religious tradition, I’ve no faith to reassure me about an afterlife.
So death scares me.
Leave a comment, folks.
I think I’d appreciate it.
The Bill is a good idea and in fact affirms that life has to have some quality.
ReplyDeleteDiseases which are slow and drawn out often have stripped life of any value and replaced that value with long drawn out suffering for both the victim and their families.
I for one would rather have the opportunity for a quick and clean death just before my facalties failed me.
To be alive but unable to have the basic
abilites that make life good would be hell for me.
Good, point, and one I’m not going to disagree with, at least in principle. I’m fairly sure that Terry Pratchett wouldn’t, either; hence his support.
ReplyDeleteI’m also fairly uncertain — and I’m aware this is after period of some years — that I’m not sure whether it’s something my Gran would’ve gone for, even though I remember seeing her in the care home.
She thought I was my dad.
You can imagine, can’t you?
I certainly can understand all the feelings this brought up for you. Especially because of your personal connection with your grandmother & love of this writer. I think the bill is a good idea not just for the person with the illness but the family of the person. It allows the person with the illness to make choices for himself and does not put the difficult moment after a long suffering illness on the already grieving family. To have to choose to pull the plug on a loved one will stay with you even if you know it was the right choice. Judi H
ReplyDelete