Posted on 08/18/2005 1:26:58 PM PDT by Former Fetus
Woman ends 'right to die' food protest
By Richard Savill
(Filed: 13/08/2005)
A 28-year-old terminally ill woman who went on hunger strike as an act of voluntary euthanasia has ended her protest after 19 days because of intense pain.
Kelly Taylor had waited nearly 10 years for a heart and lung transplant, but was taken off the list two years ago after doctors told her the risks were too high.
She began her protest because she believed starvation was the only method of death that would not leave her husband, Richard, liable to prosecution for assisted suicide.
Her plight attracted letters of sympathy from across the country, many of which were in support of her campaign for the legalisation of euthanasia, and her right to die in the manner she chose.
When she announced her intention to starve herself to death, Mrs Kelly, of Stapleton, Bristol, said her life had become so restricted that she felt she could no longer make any contribution to society.
"It just felt like the right time to do something about my life and because there was no law to help me to die, I thought I would have to help myself."
Mrs Kelly ended her protest on Thursday night by eating a small amount of apple-puree baby food.
She told the Bristol Evening Post: "It has become too uncomfortable and I would not wish what I have been going through on my worst enemy.
"I feel disappointed in myself. I really wanted to die and that seemed to be my only option. I regret that I have to stop what I am doing because I still want to die. But starvation, as it turns out, is very undignified."
She added: "My decision has not been taken lightly. I have got to get this law changed, one way or another."
Mrs Kelly was born with a congenital heart condition known as Eisenmenger Syndrome. Although not technically a terminal illness, the condition can progressively get worse with age and affect the patient's mobility.
She needs pure oxygen and cannot walk more than a few steps without collapsing.
Agreed - I was in the hospital facing possible surgery, so I couldn't have any food or water for almost 48 hours. Even though I was connected to an IV, my blood pressure dropped to nearly nothing and the thirst was unbelievable!!
I still want Felos to prove how "wonderful" dehydration is by sacrificing himself - and let us all watch his euphoria!! Anyone wanna bet that if Felos was facing a catastrophic illness he'd be the last one to commit suicide. Most of those pushing euthinasia for others are cowards when it comes to them.
Too bad Snotty Peterson and BTK killer can't be forced to donate organs! They so obviously don't use their brains, or their hearts -- if they have a heart!
My 85 year old father in law was allowed to die Aug. 1 after a 2.5 week coma. We gave him oxygen till the very end and had he opened his eyes we would have allowed him drink! He never woke up. He was ready to go, to join his late wife. But we didn't keep water from him until he no longer opened his eyes and was in deep deep coma for two weeks already. And he had oxygen until the very end.
God Bless
"Woman ends 'right to die' food protest"
What. . .she decided to take a break and go out for a burger and fries?
What. . .confusing post. . .are you saying you tried to kill yourself. . .but only was stopped because of words written in a law book?
By the way. . .new to FR are you?
Gas stove, maybe? I gather that with catalytic converters, car exhaust isn't quite as effective as it used to be.
"And this was "only" the starvation part. She did not dehydrate herself, as it was done to Terri Schiavo."
The dehydration part is what makes it supposely painless. You screw up the electrolyte balance and the nervous system is supposed to shut down, more or less. In hot weather or in the desert, it can take less than 12 hours. In an airconditioned hospital room, I guess 14 days is about right.
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