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Topic: Real Life Stories: Share comments on "Jonathan: A Planned Death."
Posted by: George E. Delury (geedel@aol.com)
Institution: Private individual
Date posted: Tue May 20 17:56:25 1997
Message:
The two stories recounted here could leave the impression that a chosen death is only for people with terminal illnesses. But probably over half of the chosen deaths assisted by Dr. Kevorkian have been of non-terminal multiple sclerosis sufferers.
That was my wife's case two years ago when she decided to end her long struggle with MS after it began to affect her memory and judgment and "while I can still do something."
I find little reason, other than strong religious conviction, for futilely prolonging a life that is little more than biological function, offering few pleasures or opportunities in comparison to the daily frustrations of coping with mountains of pills and extreme physical disability.
Posted by: Alex Easton (aeaston@aol.com)
Institution: University
Date posted: Wed Apr 30 12:49:42 1997
Message:
I believe these two guys were very committed to one another and I think that's great! I know that it would take a lot to live with a partner that had a terminal illness. People who say "gay relationships are just sex" should look at this and see that gay relationships are a lot more than just sex, they have loving, committed, long lasting relationships. I applaud all the gays and heterosexuals alike who give relationships a good name.
Posted by: Welmoed Sisson (sissons@erols.com)
Institution: (none)
Date posted: Mon Apr 21 9:17:10 1997
Message:
Jonathan chose a humane ending to his life. My mother also chose
euthanasia a year ago in the Netherlands when her esophageal
cancer became terminal and she did not want to suffer a lingering
death. Her children were at her side as the physician administered
the sedative via her IV line (the usual administration is via
the mouth, but my mother's esophagus was completely obstructed by the
tumor) and she slipped peacefully away.
This was so much better than the alternative! It was painful
to not have more time with her, but to have had to witness an
agonized, hospitalized, over-drugged lingering death would have
been infinitely more painful.
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