Wednesday, 3 February 2010

Daily Mail Review II: Terry Pratchet and Assisted Suicide



Euthanasia has been a contentious issue for a long time but with the recent focus in the media about it it has become of a hot topic of interest where everyone has an opinion. I am no exception. On reading the Daily Mail (please see previous posting for reasons of this) I came across two articles about "assisted suicide." In Religious Education at my convent school Euthanasia was an abhorent thing to support, although bless my teacher on this topic who was a nun- she was very fair and worldly in comparison to many backwards teachers (not necessarily nuns) at that school.


The Kay Gilderdale case- where Kay was charged with the attempted murder of her daughter after helping her to die- coupled with Terry Pratchet's two year campaign for his right to die when Alzheimer's affects him so much it ruins his way of life- have really brought to the fore the issue of whether someone should have a right to die if they chose their illness has become too unbearable.


Terry Pratchet delivered his 'Richard Dimbleby Lecture' and he outlines his choice in this lecture, which had been repreinted in the Daily Mail. In what is becoming his iconic statement: "When the time comes I'll sit on my lawn, brandy in hand and Thomas Tallis on my iPod. And then I'll shake hands with Death" he really nails that he knows what he wants.
He cites historical precedents for what we now term Euthanasia. And indeed he is correct. Before it was the doctor's duty to make sure his patient didn't suffer and if he was on the root to dying and was in such intense pain, a sip of laundenam or other drug would ensure a quick dispatch. It was considered all in a day's work. With the increase in medical advancement it is almost like we have come to believe we can beat everything if we drag it out hoping for that miracle cure that is only around the corner. Terry Pratchet locates this uneasiness of death and that as the length of life continues to expand how we become more uneasy about anyone under that age should die is terrible. He accurately states that "there becomes a time when technology outpaces sense, when we believe a blip on an ascilloscope is confused with life, and humanity unravles into a state of mere existence."


His upbeat tone considering the topic throws light onto the topic that it doesn't have to a labororious issue. As Professor Dumbledore states in The Philosopher's Stone: "To the well organised mind, death is but the next great adventure." For those prepared it isn't a hard task, no more so than coping with their illness. His chant: "My life, my death, my choice" summarises his feelings on the matter. God I suppose after all gave us freewill. But it helps he doesn't believe in God either. He is a humanist believing in "rising apes, rather than falling angels". Rather wittingly he refers to the Victorian poet Arthur Hugh Clough: "Thou shall not kill; but needst not strive unofficiously to keep alive" and this he says should sometimes be heeded. He says it is about compassion and that we need to be reminded that we are human and that "humanity is precious" and further still the humanity in life and the quality of that life is precious too. A death worth dying, Terry Pratchet states. Indeed I agree. Compassion and understanding is all they ask. And at the end of the day if it is that person's choice then so be it.


Within one paper we see the two sides of the story and the victor is so clearly visible. A few pages before Terry's speech is printed, the Archbishop of York "condemns the push for mercy killings" (HERE). Where is his compassion? Hmmmm.... very disillusioned with the Christian faith as a whole. Where is the tolerance, forgiveness, compassion and understanding advocated throughout the bible and the religion as a whole?


Terry Pratchet, you are a legend and I support you in your right to die with dignity, on your terms and in your own time.

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