Safer, kinder: Assisted dying would help the terminally ill

Walthamstow: A personal story of loss and campaigning

Ian Douglas, a London engineer and economist suffering from multiple sclerosis, secretly took his own life in February 2019, with his illness at an advanced stage.

His son Anil, who has campaigned ever since to change the law to allow assisted dying in the UK, welcomes a vote in parliament on the issue this Friday.

“If the bill had been in place when my father died, he could have had a much safer, kinder, more compassionate death,” he told AFP.

A life of suffering

At his home in Walthamstow, northeast London, Anil has a photo of his mother, who died of cancer in 2008, and his father when MS had not taken over his life.

At the time of his death, he was “incredibly disabled,” had lost his physical mobility, suffered neurological pain, blisters and sores, said Anil.

“He could barely lift his hand to feed himself and was confined to one room and one chair,” he added.

A desperate decision

With assisting a suicide punishable by up to 14 years in prison, Ian acted alone, buying pills from the dark web. He died on the eve of his 60th birthday.

“He was very determined and stubborn in the sense of not wanting to lose his independence and his physical ability beyond a certain point,” said his son.

“So, looking back on it now, I suppose it’s no surprise considering who my father was and what he was like that he chose to take control over the end of his life rather than relinquish it.”

Safeguards

Opponents of the attempt to change the law fear it could be a threat to vulnerable people, who might be encouraged to end their lives prematurely.

But Anil believes that current legislation does not protect people from coercion, forcing them instead to take “really drastic, dangerous decisions, completely isolated behind closed doors, with no safeguards.”

“That’s exactly what my father did,” he added.

A family’s trauma

After his death, Ian’s family found he had made two previous attempts to take his own life, which doctors attributed to stomach issues.

“What he did was an act of empowerment, certainly, but also it was incredibly dangerous and risky and fundamentally a really lonely choice because he had to do it by himself,” said Anil.

They also found themselves under suspicion. The police got involved and Anil and his sister both had their phones confiscated, compounding their trauma.

Campaigning for change

Anil has since become involved with “Dignity in Dying,” a UK campaigning organisation that supports the bill. He said he was optimistic it would go through and believes that it has enough safeguards.

Recent surveys have also indicated majority public backing.

Anil will be outside parliament again on Friday. Inside, he hopes MPs will show “courage”.

Conclusion

Anil’s story highlights the need for a safer, kinder, and more compassionate approach to assisted dying in the UK. While opponents of the bill raise concerns about coercion, Anil believes that the current legislation does not provide adequate safeguards for vulnerable individuals. With public support and a strong campaign, it is hoped that the bill will pass and provide a more humane option for terminally ill individuals like his father.

FAQs

Q: What is assisted dying?
A: Assisted dying is the practice of allowing terminally ill individuals to end their own lives with the help of a medical professional.

Q: Is assisted dying legal in the UK?
A: No, assisted dying is currently illegal in the UK, with those who assist a suicide facing up to 14 years in prison.

Q: What are the concerns about assisted dying?
A: Opponents of the bill fear that it could lead to coercion and pressure on vulnerable individuals to end their lives prematurely.

Q: What are the safeguards in the proposed bill?
A: The proposed bill includes safeguards such as the requirement for a second opinion from a specialist and the need for the individual to make a clear and informed decision.

Q: What is the public opinion on assisted dying?
A: Recent surveys have indicated majority public backing for assisted dying, with many believing that it would provide a more humane option for terminally ill individuals.