Right To Die

In 2005, Tony Nicklinson had a stroke which left him completely paralysed but with a fully functioning mind, a condition termed locked-in syndrome. He is married, has two children, is now 58 years old, and is contemplating assisted suicide at some point in the near future. But as he is a considerate man, he is seeking legal protection for any sympathetic doctor who would do the decent thing and help Mr Nicklinson to end his life. Yet the Ministry of Justice believes such a ruling would authorise murder. Seriously?! That would be classed as murder?! Mr Nicklinson, who communicates (I imagine very slowly) through a computer system, says he is living a nightmare of indignity as other people have to do everything for him. He describes his life as “dull, miserable, demeaning, undignified and intolerable”, and that it is gradually getting worse. Anyone who says that this poor man should have to endure this traumatic level of existence against his will should be ashamed of themselves. Also, isn’t this discriminatory against the rights of disabled people who can’t control what happens to them? Most people hope never to have to contemplate suicide, but those that do have a choice, except Mr Nicklinson! I sincerely hope that he gets what he is seeking.