Terry Pratchett begins formal process to end his life

Blastr ^ | June 13, 2011 | Carol Pinchefsky

[Abin Sur]

Three and a half years ago, Terry Pratchett, the beloved author of the Discworld series, announced that he has early-onset Alzheimer's disease. Now he's made an even more startling announcement.

Pratchett, who has campaigned in his native United Kingdom for the right of assisted suicide, has begun the formal process of assisted suicide in Switzerland, one of the few countries in the world to legalize euthanasia. Specifically, this would take place at Dignitas, a clinic that provides qualified doctors and nurses to assist with the patients' suicides.

Dignitas has sent Pratchett the paperwork he needs to sign to begin the assisted suicide process—but he has yet to sign it.

[Abathar]

Well said, having watched my grandfather die from both Parkinsons and Alzheimers at the same time I won’t judge anyone who chooses to avoid a fate like that.

I’m guessing Fiddler’s Green isn’t a popular poem for most here either...

[TheOldLady]

Amen, friend.

[cycjec]

I am enormously sad and horrified about this. Only a
rather casual fan, but still. What can a mere reader
do to ask him “don’t do this”?

[a fool in paradise]

Can he sell his organs? Then his body isn’t really his as determined by The State.

[cycjec]

I *liked* the ones I’ve read. But I know there’s a huge
readership and the example, assuming the worst comes to
pass, is painful to contemplate.

[goat granny]

The vet can put a dog to sleep in seconds....Anyone that has surgery and had the anesthetist tell them to count back starting at 100 and made it pass 98 is rare...just let the medication continue...painless...thats why I don't understand all the brew ha ha about what meds. are used for the death penalty...

[trisham]

Suicide isn't a choice I can imagine making, but I'm not willing to impose that on another person.

***************************

What a noble attitude. You're to be commended, I'm sure.

Suppose the suicide was a family member who took an overdose, and you came upon him/her while he/she was still alive. Would you call 911? Or would that be lowering yourself too much?

[redgolum]

I love the Captain Vimes books!

There was the story with Cohen that seemed a bit to dark for my taste.

Still, I will re read them on occasion.

[wagglebee]

Suppose the suicide was a family member who took an overdose, and you came upon him/her while he/she was still alive. Would you call 911? Or would that be lowering yourself too much?

I'm sure the culture of death considers that to be "imposing" your will on someone else.

[trisham]

If he has a website, one might contact him there.

[trisham]

I'm sure the culture of death considers that to be "imposing" your will on someone else.

***************************

No doubt. Imagine having so little feeling for others, and then on top of it having the nerve to claim that it's out of respect for their dignity.

[Ransomed]

I like Vimes too, but I was actually thinking of THUD! and Night Watch as being pretty dark, at least in places. But I thought they were great, just different from the more light hearted stuff perhaps.

Freegards

[wagglebee]

What they don't understand is that this IS NOT suicide. If it were suicide they wouldn't need laws to get other people involved.

It's just a bizarre euphemism to avoid calling it homicide. If you go to a doctor for some ailment and the doctor gives you a prescription which you take exactly as directed is the doctor treating you or are you treating yourself with the doctor merely "assisting"?

[ArrogantBustard]

Dear Mr. Pratchett:

Your predecessor, H. Beam Piper, had the "guts" (if that's the right word) to blow his own head off with a rifle.

Why must you drag other folks in to your pathology? If "Goodbye, Cruel World" really is all you have left to say, do the deed yourself.

Either way, don't expect the eternal results to be good. Methinks your Creator doesn't approve His creatures offing themselves.

[trisham]

What they don't understand is that this IS NOT suicide. If it were suicide they wouldn't need laws to get other people involved.

It's just a bizarre euphemism to avoid calling it homicide. If you go to a doctor for some ailment and the doctor gives you a prescription which you take exactly as directed is the doctor treating you or are you treating yourself with the doctor merely "assisting"?

*********************************

It's all a lie, but the truth is so ugly that they have to lie.

[wagglebee]

It's all a lie, but the truth is so ugly that they have to lie.

Yep, even the Nazis kept it a secret.

[Grizzled Bear]

100% agreement. Suicide isn't a choice I can imagine making, but I'm not willing to impose that on another person.

Really? So when I gave my Airmen those suicide intervention briefings I was wrong? Perhaps instead of taking that one young lady to the over to "Life Skills" I should have given her a loaded pistol and some "alone time."

[Logic n' Reason]

It is Mr. Pratchett's decision...and his alone.

Godspeed, Mr. Pratchett, godspeed.

Would that I can find your courage at the end.

[Abin Sur]

My objection concerns dragging someone else into the process.

As far as I can tell, no one is being drug into the process in this case. It seems to be entirely voluntary for all concerned.

[Abin Sur]

a viewing of The Passion of the Christ might be helpful for them

Watching someone being tortured to death is helpful?