THIS IS MADNESS! There are far too many adults suffering intolerably who need access to MAID. This needs to be fixed NOW, not years down the road!

[Praying 4 a Miracle]

It is far too easy for people to slip off the rails in this life, and end up suffering intolerably. It's complete madness that we humans are not providing a safe and humane way for ALL adults who feel they are suffering long-term, with no other solutions available to solve the problem(s), to escape their pain.

Recent advancements in medicine are allowing people to live much longer, and for those who are lucky enough to make it through their entire lifespan without any long-term major suffering, I congratulate you, but this is not going to be the reality for everyone. If we're going to extend the lifespan of people to 80, 90, 100, etc., then we also need to have a plan for people who do not make it all the way through without a major problem.

According to Forbes, only 10 to 15% of us are going to drop dead instantly at the end of our life. This means that 85 to 90% of human beings are going to end up with some prolonged suffering at some point. This reality is not going to affect just a fringe group of people, it will affect the vast majority.

I personally made it almost to the age of 60, without any major health problems or suffering at all, and then Wham! Never in a million years did I ever think it would happen to me, but here we are, and for the last few years I know exactly what it's like to suffer intensely. It can happen to anyone, for any number of reasons, and it can happen in a heartbeat.

The madness of forcing people to resort to risky, painful, and inhumane methods of suicide, to find relief from their pain and anguish, must end now. ALL adults who feel they are suffering intolerantly, with no other solutions available, should be able to make this incredibly important decision for themselves.

We are a compassionate species, and that is why there is SOME progress being made in currently 12 countries around the world. This is a good start, and the world is heading in the right direction, but it's just taking far too long. The current system is cruel, and it needs to change now, not years from now.

For eons, we've had the compassionate policy of not allowing animals to suffer needlessly. We just need to extend that same compassion to our fellow human beings. Criminalizing and stigmatizing this entire issue, just further amplifies the unbearable pain & anguish that good people are having to endure.

Just remember the numbers, in the years to come, 85 to 90% of people are going to be faced with this problem in some form or fashion. It's clear what the right thing to do is, so let's just do it. A healthy debate can be wonderful and wise if there is a good reason for it, but when the facts are completely clear and concrete, then it's just wasting valuable time.

 

[Darkover]

discussions around euthanasia and assisted dying continue to evolve, there's hope that more compassionate solutions will be recognized and implemented.

 

[a_tired_autist]

The funny thing is that the longer you live the higher the likelihood of encountering mental problem occurs, this is clearly a serious discussion to be having that will only become more and more prevalent in the future. Currently there is some many periods in life or specifics conditions that leads to a increase in public mental health issues. I really hope that in the near future those types of issues are more addressed than nowadays.

 

[FuneralCry]

I understand as a painless death is certainly what I need so I can finally find peace from all future suffering in this painful and cruel existence that only ever caused me to suffer, I suffer so much from how I cannot just peacefully die, under no circumstances would I wish to prolong this suffering for potentially decades longer just to be tortured and tormented by old age. I find it horrific how euthanasia isn't an option even know there is no limit as to how much agony one can feel in this existence that I was forced into in the first place, I'd personally never wish for the cruelty and torment of suffering in this existence rather I only hope and wish to never suffer again.

 

[Praying 4 a Miracle]

discussions around euthanasia and assisted dying continue to evolve, there's hope that more compassionate solutions will be recognized and implemented.

I agree, assisted dying is definitely continuing to evolve. I do feel like valuable time is being wasted however, with people continuing to debate this issue, when really the debate should be over.

 

[hail]

I will always advocate for euthanasia, we may not have the choice to be born but we should have the option to die, keeping people that do not want to partake in life or society alive is inhumane

 

[doneforlife]

It is far too easy for people to slip off the rails in this life, and end up suffering intolerably. It's complete madness that we humans are not providing a safe and humane way for ALL adults who feel they are suffering long-term, with no other solutions available to solve the problem(s), to escape their pain.

Recent advancements in medicine are allowing people to live much longer, and for those who are lucky enough to make it through their entire lifespan without any long-term major suffering, I congratulate you, but this is not going to be the reality for everyone. If we're going to extend the lifespan of people to 80, 90, 100, etc., then we also need to have a plan for people who do not make it all the way through without a major problem.

According to Forbes, only 10 to 15% of us are going to drop dead instantly at the end of our life. This means that 85 to 90% of human beings are going to end up with some prolonged suffering at some point. This reality is not going to affect just a fringe group of people, it will affect the vast majority.

I personally made it almost to the age of 60, without any major health problems or suffering at all, and then Wham! Never in a million years did I ever think it would happen to me, but here we are, and for the last few years I know exactly what it's like to suffer intensely. It can happen to anyone, for any number of reasons, and it can happen in a heartbeat.

The madness of forcing people to resort to risky, painful, and inhumane methods of suicide, to find relief from their pain and anguish, must end now. ALL adults who feel they are suffering intolerantly, with no other solutions available, should be able to make this incredibly important decision for themselves.

We are a compassionate species, and that is why there is SOME progress being made in currently 12 countries around the world. This is a good start, and the world is heading in the right direction, but it's just taking far too long. The current system is cruel, and it needs to change now, not years from now.

For eons, we've had the compassionate policy of not allowing animals to suffer needlessly. We just need to extend that same compassion to our fellow human beings. Criminalizing and stigmatizing this entire issue, just further amplifies the unbearable pain & anguish that good people are having to endure.

Just remember the numbers, in the years to come, 85 to 90% of people are going to be faced with this problem in some form or fashion. It's clear what the right thing to do is, so let's just do it. A healthy debate can be wonderful and wise if there is a good reason for it, but when the facts are completely clear and concrete, then it's just wasting valuable time.

There are too many obstructions for this . Even if any government is willing to do it , people will create huge outcry. Dying is something which many people don't like to go through. They stick to life even if life is absolutely horrible. It just does not have any incentive for the government. Rather they would risk their position by doing so .

 

[Praying 4 a Miracle]

discussions around euthanasia and assisted dying continue to evolve, there's hope that more compassionate solutions will be recognized and implemented.

There seems to be guests often reading the posts in this forum (almost 1000 at any given moment), so we never know who might be paying attention. I definitely think it's worth us speaking up about the issue of MAID, we may have a bit more influence than we realize. I think people are just starting to see how vulnerable we all are, even the currently happy and healthy, the wealthy, AND those who work in government. Also we need to remember that MAID is safe to discuss even outside this forum, because it's completely legal.

 

[ijustwishtodie]

I agree on everything you said here with the exception of humans being a compassionate species. If humans were a compassionate species, your post wouldn't even have to be made in the first place. Humans are nothing but brutal, self serving and psychopathic. We really do deserve euthanasia and the right to die but, unfortunately, if we're going to be realistic here, it won't ever be legalised for people like us (i.e. with non terminal illness) throughout our entire natural lifespan or even through many generations. Humans need their wage slaves and are too content with what society says to rebel. Additionally, people are too myopic to understand why somebody wants to die so they'll always be against euthanasia for people like us. It sucks immensely but, the thing is, humans suck and will always suck

 

[divinemistress36]

I agree with @ijustwishtodie the government needs wage slaves and even those who are disabled, the healthcare system makes bank off their suffering with all the meds and treatments. Its all about money its sad

 

[Praying 4 a Miracle]

It's true that there is a financial incentive for governments to keep people suffering, but the truth is, there are countries who are right now discussing expanding those who qualify to include many more people, not just the terminally ill. Canada and the UK are two good examples of this. Canada is talking about expanding to include people who are mentally ill, and the UK is talking about including those who are suffering intolerably. Worldwide the entire situation is definitely expanding. There are now 400 million people who qualify, and this never keeps growing.

 

[a_tired_autist]

I agree on everything you said here with the exception of humans being a compassionate species. If humans were a compassionate species, your post wouldn't even have to be made in the first place. Humans are nothing but brutal, self serving and psychopathic. We really do deserve euthanasia and the right to die but, unfortunately, if we're going to be realistic here, it won't ever be legalised for people like us (i.e. with non terminal illness) throughout our entire natural lifespan or even through many generations. Humans need their wage slaves and are too content with what society says to rebel. Additionally, people are too myopic to understand why somebody wants to die so they'll always be against euthanasia for people like us. It sucks immensely but, the thing is, humans suck and will always suck

I half agree whit your i personally believe it's more a issue of scope.

An example would be better ; It's hard for anyone to feel dread because of some people dying over TV like for example, an famous actor, or a tsunami. Most people will just react like, "it's shame", or "it's terrible", most of the time the limit will be distraught or sadness. The important part to keep in mind here is that is cognitive empathy, that is the ability to understands socials contacts and interactions that leads to feeling something bad for some else. Most people would have killed themselves if for each time someone die it feels as sad as someone close to it.
It's is essentially a logical comparison.

This does not happen when something bad happen to someone you are close. Example : this site.
I could go by and ask people around but i think they are genuinely sad. Because they feels and understands the experience.

But also i could be wrong. I am not very well placed honestly to speak about empathy since I have Alexithymia.

 

[wren-briar]

I personally made it almost to the age of 60, without any major health problems or suffering at all

Out of curiosity, how did you feel about suicide/euthanasia before you had major health problems?

If you had been asked to vote on medical-assisted euthanasia (i.e. a doctor had to be supportive of your reasons), would you have voted for that right?

If you had been asked to vote on simply the right to die (i.e. any adult, and any child with adult approval, could have unlimited access to an assured mechanism of CTB), would you voted for that right?

 

[Praying 4 a Miracle]

Out of curiosity, how did you feel about suicide/euthanasia before you had major health problems?

If you had been asked to vote on medical-assisted euthanasia (i.e. a doctor had to be supportive of your reasons), would you have voted for that right?

If you had been asked to vote on simply the right to die (i.e. any adult, and any child with adult approval, could have unlimited access to an assured mechanism of CTB), would you voted for that right?

I would have voted for the right for adults to decide, but likely not children. I've always been a big fan of rights for adults, but I believe there should be an age restriction on MAID of maybe 18.

 

[wren-briar]

Thank you for your responses!

I'm in the the camp that most children shouldn't have unfettered access, but there are absolutely cases where a child should have access, and adults around them should be able to make this decision. Obviously, that would never be 100% perfect, but it's still so much better than what we currently have in the States. (For anyone in an area with MAiD, I'd love to hear your perspectives on how it is, or isn't made available to underage persons!)

 

[sevennn]

people that live in the countiries that allow maid are lucky one woman was given acces for having issues exactly like mine. i just know i'd be helped there if only i lived there

 

[Forever Sleep]

There are too many obstructions for this . Even if any government is willing to do it , people will create huge outcry. Dying is something which many people don't like to go through. They stick to life even if life is absolutely horrible. It just does not have any incentive for the government. Rather they would risk their position by doing so .

I think this is most certainly true if we are angling for assisted suicide for all mentally competent adults. I think perhaps the majority of people will sympathise with someone with a terminal or chronic illness- something obviously causing that person pain and inhibiting their ability to live. Beyond that though- I agree. I doubt there is even much public support for this. It would mean parents allowing their children to die- and by that, I mean 'children' of all ages (including adults.) I just don't think many are that selfless.

Take for example, the case below. The gentleman in this case was 47 years old. I would assume that to be admitted for assisted suicide, it must have been proven that his situation was serious and yet, his family still would not accept it:

 

[ThisIsMe1357]

I think this will get resolved soon, as in a few decades, but sadly not immediately in the next few years. The important thing is that there will be access to assisted suicide because the arguments are on the side of the people who want it to be implemented.

Just like with any rights, the fight for change has to start somewhere. And this one started in Switzerland, Benelux and Canada. And just like in cases of other changes in the world, other countries will soon follow. I personally hope we could get a change for the better in the EU and the United States withing the next 20 years. And hopefully other countries will have to start having the discussion afterwards, too.

 

[Praying 4 a Miracle]

Yes of course parents will always be devastated with the loss of a child at any age. I have three adult children myself, and I would be absolutely devastated as well. But this still does not mean that people should be forced to suffer intolerably for decades.

This 47-year-old man is a great example, because he would have likely been forced to do something risky, painful, and horrific instead, or be forced to suffer for likely 40 or 50 years. As it is, his mother and family members will mourn his death for a while, and then they will heal and move on with their lives. The 47-year-old man is now at peace, and no longer suffering.

What the masses are not getting here, is that a safe and peaceful assisted death is NOT the ultimate tragedy in life, the ultimate tragedy is decades of suffering and pain, or to be forced to die in a nasty and horrific way. The mother in the video even admitted that if her son had not done what he did, he'd have likely jumped under a train, or off a cliff. All people really have to do here is look at the bigger picture, and try to imagine what it would be like to be in the sufferers shoes.

ThisIsMe1357 is right, the arguments are on the side of the people who want assisted dying to be implemented, and so this is what will happen. What makes no sense at all is why it has to take 20 years. Millions of people do NOT have to suffer intolerantly for 20 years. It could happen in as little as a few weeks, we just need to get the majority of people to wake up & smell the coffee on this issue.

 

[doneforlife]

I think this is most certainly true if we are angling for assisted suicide for all mentally competent adults. I think perhaps the majority of people will sympathise with someone with a terminal or chronic illness- something obviously causing that person pain and inhibiting their ability to live. Beyond that though- I agree. I doubt there is even much public support for this. It would mean parents allowing their children to die- and by that, I mean 'children' of all ages (including adults.) I just don't think many are that selfless.

Take for example, the case below. The gentleman in this case was 47 years old. I would assume that to be admitted for assisted suicide, it must have been proven that his situation was serious and yet, his family still would not accept it:

There was another case in Belgium where a girl was allowed VAD due to depression. There was such a huge outcry and the media projected it as a crime. The girl had given an interview, which was twisted and printed . The girl had to issue a statement clarifying her stance. The doctors had approved her request based on severity , years of suffering and diagnosing it to be treatment resistant depression. Her boyfriend supported her decision. The problem is , people not knowing her , not living with her , not having to deal with what she was dealing with, and not having any expertise in the matter whatsoever were deciding if it was the right step.

 

[Lost Magic]

I am with you all the way! If you are in a country fighting for the rights for people to die with terminal illnesses please do. The UK Parliment is about to have a major debate about the subject this November. Dogs and cats have better end of life rights than humans. Canada, Columbia, NZ, Spain and others already have these measurements in place. I just hope all the other countries would follow their leads.

 

[hematomatema]

Fortunately I think we're on the tipping point when it comes to discussions like these in freer countries around the world like the US, UK, or those in the EU. It's becoming more and more clear to the wider population that it's simply illogical to offer other animals with a less complex ability to conceptualise misery the ability to die when it gets too much while not allowing the most prevalent, deeply emotional animal on the planet the same thing. Not to mention that in basically every country where it's already implemented, it has worked wonders and is very tightly regulated (it hasn't ended up being the "slippery slope" of forcing people to CTB that people feared it would.) I really do expect assisted dying to become a right around the world in those freer countries within the next couple of decades - all the signs point to the public and governments supporting the decision, even if the media likes to fearmonger about it.

 

[Praying 4 a Miracle]

I am with you all the way! If you are in a country fighting for the rights for people to die with terminal illnesses please do. The UK Parliment is about to have a major debate about the subject this November. Dogs and cats have better end of life rights than humans. Canada, Columbia, NZ, Spain and others already have these measurements in place. I just hope all the other countries would follow their leads.

I love the way you worded that; dogs and cats have better end of life rights than humans! The programs that exist now must also be expanded quickly to include all those who are suffering intolerably, not just those who are terminal ill. People who are terminally ill, even without MAID, will not be suffering for nearly as long as those who are not terminal ill. Those who are terminal should definitely qualify for MAID, but they are the ones who need it the least.

Also, there is no advantage to waiting 20 years for this to happen. If the world already knows it's the right thing to do, and that it's inevitably going to happen, then why force millions of people to suffer for another 20 years? It should be fast-tracked, it should only take a few months to a year at the most to implement.

Like we just discussed, dogs and cats have had these rights, and a very humane method, for eons now. Why should it take 20 years to implement the same or a similar system for humans? It should only take a few months. We need to grab the bull by the horns, and just make it already

In Switzerland this is happening already, which just proves that it doesn't have to take 20 years. The only problem with the Swiss system, is that the organizations (Dignitas & Pegasos), still have a bit too much control over who qualifies. It's still really encouraging though, considering that's the only flaw.

 

[Lost Magic]

I love the way you worded that; dogs and cats have better end of life rights than humans! The programs that exist now must also be expanded quickly to include all those who are suffering intolerably, not just those who are terminal ill. People who are terminally ill, even without MAID, will not be suffering for nearly as long as those who are not terminal ill. Those who are terminal should definitely qualify for MAID, but they are the ones who need it the least.

Also, there is no advantage to waiting 20 years for this to happen. If the world already knows it's the right thing to do, and that it's inevitably going to happen, then why force millions of people to suffer for another 20 years? It should be fast-tracked, it should only take a few months to a year at the most to implement.

Like we just discussed, dogs and cats have had these rights, and a very humane method, for eons now. Why should it take 20 years to implement the same or a similar system for humans? It should only take a few months. We need to grab the bull by the horns, and just make it already

In Switzerland this is happening already, which just proves that it doesn't have to take 20 years. The only problem with the Swiss system, is that the organizations still have a bit too much control over who qualifies. It's still really encouraging though, considering that's the only flaw.

What do you think about the Sarco Pod? People who are deeply suffering have been thinking about this invention for years. It is now facing controversy from some of the media and police (no surprise there).

Arrests after Sarco 'suicide pod' used in Switzerland

Swiss police arrest several people after the controversial pod is used for the first time.

www.bbc.co.uk

Swiss police make arrests over suspected death in ‘suicide capsule’

Criminal case opened after Sarco capsule – which releases nitrogen gas at the touch of a button – used in Merishausen

www.theguardian.com

 

[Praying 4 a Miracle]

What do you think about the Sarco Pod? People who are deeply suffering have been thinking about this invention for years. It is now facing controversy from some of the media and police (no surprise there).

Arrests after Sarco 'suicide pod' used in Switzerland

Swiss police arrest several people after the controversial pod is used for the first time.

www.bbc.co.uk

Swiss police make arrests over suspected death in ‘suicide capsule’

Criminal case opened after Sarco capsule – which releases nitrogen gas at the touch of a button – used in Merishausen

www.theguardian.com

I think there is some concern about the Sarco Pod because they fear it will be misused, possibly even by people under the age of 18. I think with Dignitas and Pegasos they feel there is at least a certain level of control over who uses the services.

 

[Praying 4 a Miracle]

Switzerland is at almost 100% where the world needs to be on assisted dying right now. (They just have a bit too much control over who qualifies). Now the world can study the results of this, which shouldn't take very long. When they see the proof that it does in fact work, without creating any huge or major problems, then it's time for the rest of the world to just make it happen. The Sarco Pod may or may not pan out, because of the potential for misuse, but if it does then that would be a nice bonus too.