As I was channel surfing two nights ago, I came across this TV program called "The Suicide Tourist" which left me bawling. It was about an American professor named Craig Ewert who lives in England, who was being slowly paralyzed by ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), wanting to die at a time and place that he chose.
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He made arrangement for his 'assisted-suicide' in Switzerland ('assisted-suicide' is legal in Swiss), sorting out final personal arrangements, bidding farewell, getting reading for the set 'death' day, 26th September 2006.
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The documentary showed his thoughts on the decision he had made, his wife's and that of their adult children's. They were very supportive. It also show their daily lifestyles/routine right up to the set day. Craig was already wheelchair bound by then. Day in day out his wife would feed him, bathe him, chat with him, take him out to the park for a stroll in the wheel chair like normal eventhough the 'expiry' date had been set. I just felt that she is such a strong woman to be able to go thru all that.
Come 25th September 2006, it showed they packed up and went to the airport and left for Switzerland. In Switzerland, they interviewed the Swiss Social Worker (doctor) who accepted Craig's application. Yes, you have to apply to die and they need to see your medical report and all that and you have to pay for it. For Craig's case, it was 4,500. Not sure in US$ or Euro. Complete with cremation and have the ashes shipped right back to his home in England.
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It moved on to show the Swiss social worker preparing the room where the procedure will be carried out to make it as comfortable as possible before Craig's arrival.
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Craig arrived moments later and was wheeled into the room by his wife. They carried him onto the bed making him as comfortable as possible and the Social Worker proceeded with explanation again of the procedure and he said he understood it. His wife gave him a final kiss and told him.. "I love you sweetheart so much. Have a safe journey and see you some time".
He then down the liquefied dose of tranquilizers in a cup with a straw held by the Social Worker while Mozart was played in the backgroun on the CD (his choice of parting music). The documentary was showing a close-up of Craig slowly dozing off until his heart just stopped beating and confirmed by the Social Worker.
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It was all just too intense for me. I recognized that familiar face. The face of death. Empty.
2 comments:
I've watched some clips of this on youtube. It is really sad that he cannot die in the familiar surroundings of his own home. I wish all countries would legalised euthanasia for the terminally ill.
yeah.. i totally agree with you mun. THey should legalised euthanasia.
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