One of the things I notice when I follow other blogs is the financial aspects of terminal illness. I have read 3 blogs where committing suicide is mentioned.
One onsidered ending his own life out of fear of bankrupting his family , of seeing everything he worked for being sold to help with the cost of his care. Let's face it some illnesses are not cheap and most government health plans require the person to exhaust their own finances before the plan kicks in. Medicaid is like that in the United States especially for long term care in a Nursing Home.
The other 2 blogs spoke of fear of dying alone or depending on others for care. I know what It's like asking others for help. After my back surgery I was 90% dependent on my husband and family. I couldn't shower , dress myself, walk by myself, get out of bed or take myself to the bathroom. I knew to be patient because I would get better. It was so hard asking for help and relying on others for care, especially needing help to the bathroom. The hardest part of it for me is I used to be the care giver, now I was the patient. With therapy I got better. I was fortunate I had good family support. So many people out there don't have that.
In Craig Ewert's case he didn't want to suffer and cause his family to suffer during the duration of his illness. He didn't want to burden his family anymore than he felt he already had. I truly believe he felt he had no choice but he loved life just the same. He was scared to make the journey to Dignitas but he knew the reality of his diagnosis which scared him worse. Thankfully his wife wasn't held responsible for helping him go to Switzerland.
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