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.
But, but but ??!??
"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."
But, but...starvation is a euphoric way to die, right?
Ahhhh, but to a necrophiliac, she did look beautiful!
All my hunger strikes last under an hour.
Poor woman, I do hope someone can make her comfortable.
Aw, too bad.... maybe if they'd put a stuffed animal under her arm, it would've helped.
(/sarc)
====
And this was "only" the starvation part. She did not dehydrate herself, as it was done to Terri Schiavo.
chicken sh*t.
I guess she really wasn't serious about dying, eh?
I once went a mere 30 hours without water and was absolutely miserable. That's why I kept challenging the pro-starvation posters to try going 2 days without water and then see if they still felt the same way. Obviously no takers or they would have had to revise some of their thinking.
She's just married to the wrong man.
Putting this one in my ping list, thanks. Saving it for later.
Why didnt she take her oxygen bottle and run around the block, then take it off, That should have done it.
Somebody give that lady a gun.
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 know this is not going to go over well with most of you,but I believe that after the doctors have given up on a patient,you should have the option to end your own life.I will gladly accept any and all comments regarding this issue.
Britain. Government "health." Yippee.
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