People should have the freedom to decide how their life ends

Being a long-time member of the Dignity in the Dying club, as an active person of 80 something years, I feel I must comment on the Peadar Toibin’s article in the News Letter on Wednesday.
By Harry Stephenson
Published 20th Sep 2020, 06:00 BST
The Dignitas clinic in Switzerland, where patients are helped to die at a time of their choosingThe Dignitas clinic in Switzerland, where patients are helped to die at a time of their choosing
The Dignitas clinic in Switzerland, where patients are helped to die at a time of their choosing

(The letter can be read here: ‘To legalise assisted dying would send out the wrong signal on suicide,’ September 16).

Peadar referred to people having been “killed” in Belgium.

For a start, the person who chose to die with dignity was not killed, he/she chose they way they wish to die, similar for example to someone taking their own life in some other way.

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Letter to the editor
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Now anyone who wishes to end their life is likely to have a reason? Personally I believe suicide is generally carried out when a person sees no future in staying alive, or can no longer accept the continuous enormous mental/physical pain they are undergoing.

In conclusion may I suggest to Peadar, to investigate the Switzerland procedure of carrying out a dying with dignity death at the Dignitas clinic (pictured), as it is a person’s freedom of personal choice as to how they wish to end their life.

Harry Stephenson, Kircubbin, Co Down

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Related topics:PeopleBelgiumSwitzerland