Replies

I am not a supporter of euthanasia at all, but I’ve been grappling with a difficult question lately.

People are living longer with today’s medical care, but not necessarily healthier. In many cases, it seems that we’re just spending money to keep people with irreversible medical conditions alive another week (so to speak).

I mean, what’s the point of living to one’s 80s or 90s if you’re in such poor condition? Some enjoy excellent health into their old age, but all too many don’t.

If living to 100 means that I’m senile, have poor mobility, bad hearing, or anything like that, and can’t enjoy life or contribute anything productive to society, forget about it. I’d rather just go at 70 of a quick heart attack or whatever.

A heart attack is not the same as "assisted suicide". One might think that life without, for example, playing sports is not a life worth living, but as we age, we often find that reading a good book, going to a good movie, or sitting in the garden at twilight with a friend or loved one over a cup of tea or a glass of wine can be as wonderful as those things that we enjoyed as children and young adults.

I hope that as you continue to grapple with all of the questions and issues of life you will find that it is as precious as it is short. May God bless you, FRiend.