Disclaimer: I am in no way advocating for Physician Assisted Suicide or self termination. These are my personal thoughts on this issue.
When I started this particular blog I was more pro-choice than I am now. Over the last few months peering into the unknown world of ALS/MND through blogs and documentaries , my opinion of this issue has changed slightly.
In a way I've gotten to know individuals living with the "beast" and have began to care about them. They are no longer ALS patients but human beings fighting a debilitating illness that will eventually end their lives. How they live and die should be strictly up to them.
Can you imagine an illness that takes and takes from you until you're an empty shell but your brain is still intact? You can still feel pain in areas of your body long after the muscles have withered away. Can you imagine your mouth being so dry but unable to drink because you might aspirate? And the dryness is caused by a medicine to dry up excessive saliva to keep you from choking to death.
I can understand why people choose to go to Dignitas or risk arrest traveling abroad to secure the needed medication to die at home. Because of laws people are forced to make these decisions long before they need to. Their choice to go earlier than needed is to protect their family or whoever happens to make this journey with them. It's a sad situation anyway you look at it. If the disease professed to the point the person is kept alive through tubes and ventilation , the person and family suffers. If the person decides to quietly sneak off to Dignitas, the family suffers.
Family support is critical . I've noticed those who considered visiting Dignitas or followed through had less family support, than those who decided to enjoy life with their family....... Regardless of how much time they had left.
Let your family know your wishes.
Whether you have ALS/MND, or any life threatening issue , set up a living will (advance directives) stating which treatments is acceptable and which isn't. Tell your family your wishes. The living will can be changed at any time. Please keep in mind its easier to not start a treatment than it is to discontinue.
Disclaimer: I am in no way advocating for Physician Assisted Suicide or self termination. These are my personal thoughts on this issue.
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