In Massachusetts, assisted suicide is on the ballot this November. The arguments make sense, at least to us "progressives." Then a book comes out such as "Like Any Normal Day" by Mark Kram, Jr.
It recounts the decision by quadriplegic Buddy Miley to have Dr. Jack Kevorkian assist him with ending his life. That life did end. The torment of those he had left behind deepened. Even before the suicide they were drawn into his suffering and their lives, more or less, on hold.
Two states - Oregon and Washington - allow physician-assisted suicide for the terminally ill. In Switzerland, those with other problems such as chronic disease or even severe depression, can also purchase help with self-deliverance. Until reading "Like Any Normal Day" and crying several times feeling the pain of the survivors, suicide was a choice I advocated. Now, I wonder if the decision could be one of extreme selfishness, at least in many cases.
I was with my older sister as she was dying. So were her husband and her two sons. She had been losing her battle with breast cancer for about eight months. Had she committed suicide we would all, I am convinced, have had a worse time with the loss. No one understands death. Add to that a death which is a suicide and the unknowns overwhelm.
i am so sorry for all those strong people who fight diseases so bravely... and the ones who lose... may they rest in peace
Posted by: Allison T. | September 07, 2012 at 03:12 AM