Euthanasia - A Cry from the Heart

by Liz Williams

In the late 1950's, I was born into a family of similarly disabled people. We have a genetic visual impairment. Some of my family are blind and some, like me, are partially sighted. One of my parents is deaf/blind. Despite our problems, we have never considered ourselves dependent. Instead, we have all achieved good educational and work standards.

My visual impairment has not made me immune from other ill health. During the 1970's, I developed a severe physical disability. I am now, (and for the past 20 years) completely paralysed from the neck down. My swallowing and breathing mechanism has been problematic for the past ten years. The multiple disabilities have created immense difficulties, which I have had to overcome. Despite the problems, I have achieved a BSc (Hons) in Computing Science and have lived independently in the community for 17 years. 

My life has been fraught with problems caused by both the Social Services and Health Service. Both organisations have failed on numerous occasions to recognise my ability. At one time they considered that I was no more than a vegetable and I would be better dead. I can assure everyone that despite my handicaps I am very much alive. I have never had any intention or desire to consider euthanasia, even when faced with the most horrendous uphill battles. I have never undervalued my own worth. However, others have undervalued me, and the affects on my confidence and self-esteem has been extreme.

Every day, my survival is foremost in my mind. Every day, I have to question my right to life. Will I receive my everyday care, which allows me to lead an active life? If I have even a simple cold, will I receive treatment? If I become more seriously ill, will I receive a diagnosis and appropriate treatment? If my life is threatened, will others let me die against my will? These questions are unnatural, but they are all born of life experience. 

The greatest threat to my future is the legalisation of euthanasia. I oppose both passive and active euthanasia. Somewhat surprisingly, I have witnessed much passive euthanasia already, even though it is illegal. I have spent many years in both hospital and other care institutions. Some institutions have had a policy of non-resuscitatation, never discussed with patients or their families. A patient in their everyday life is denied opinions or beliefs. One is rarely asked what they would like to eat, drink, or wear. Suddenly, when it is society's choice to commit euthanasia, the patient is given a suspiciously rhetoric voice, with the full backing of the judiciary.

Passive euthanasia is often just a euphemism for denying care to those who take up dwindling resources. It may also help to relieve the conscience and pain of those watching the suffering of an individual. Active euthanasia acts as a safeguard for those who fear death. After living a relatively pleasant life, death seems nasty painful and undignified. The only sure thing in life is death occurs eventually. Who gave as the right to choose how, and when we die? Surely, before we can choose how to die, we have to be able to choose how to live!

I believe that when we truly wish to die, we do not care how. Pain and suffering become irrelevant. The mind develops a focus on death, and unless we are crying help, all other events are immaterial. The only concern of the dying is how the living will cope both watching them and with the aftermath. As society fails to support the sick and their families it becomes inevitable that euthanasia seems the easy solution. As the cry for euthanasia increases so Society's values and worth declines.