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Fortunately he didn’t have to linger very long after that typically inhumane decision. I cannot imagine the helplessness and desperation he must have been completely overwhelmed by. I suspect he died of a broken heart.

Amen to that Mr A!!!! Poor, poor man..................

Can't even do yourself in when you are paralyzed from the neck down.

Or died of broken faith in a society that doesn't truly honour the wishes of individuals........

I hear ya and I'm sad for the man. Waking nightmare is right! However my though is; how should this work in an ideal world? You go to your doctor say you want to die, and he sets up an appointment? Or does he just pull out the shot right then and there? Do you have to go through counseling sessions first to make sure you really really mean it? Is there someone that has to be present to make sure everything is on the up and up and that doctor doesn't become the next profession of deranged serial killers. Can you do this only for certain physical ailments or are mental and emotional reasons valid too. Do you even have to have a reason at all? What happens when your right to die infringes on the happiness and rights of others, or creates a danger of some sort?

Its not a simple issue. Its hard to even talk about given the sensitive nature of it.
Furthermore I don't think this is a matter of the government snapping their fingers and just saying ok! Or a matter of them holding out just to be cruel. If anything it would be in their best interest to have these people put down so they aren't soaking up tax money for their health care, and they can spend it all on a nice new missile. Its an issue that has been under heavy scrutiny for a long time and once its implemented its implemented. It will not be easy to go back and make lots of amendments to this and that when problems begin to arise. Think of what a mess our laws are now on much simpler "nice and neat" matters. Thinking of what lawyers could do with stuff like this alone is enough to send a chill up my spine quite frankly.

I understand the emotional reaction, but its important to separate ourselves from that when making new laws. Can't afford to be reactive here.

Mondo Johnny is right - it's a minefield. Personally, I would like the right to end it, and anyone else who wants it. However, there have to be rigorous safeguards and checks. Also, as said, doctors do not want to do it. There is a certain level of hypocrisy here on their part however, as they are quite willing to shoot people up with morphine or allow them to die due to no water or feeding. My mother had Alzheimer's and i 'pray to God' even though i am not religious that i do not develop it. If i do i would top myself. Assuming i was capable. I do not want my wife to see me in that living hell. And i do not want to be in it. The mind is still working and taking things in, and there are occasional flashes which show this. I am not claiming to be an expert, only what i personally saw. My Mum spent a fair bit of time in respite so i saw other people who were residents, and until an absolute wreck with no cognisance at all of their surroundings, i can assure you that they have input and output. And most do not get to that condition. However, the wife says she does not want me to do it if it should ever occur. She would be hurt. Where does that leave me? My Dad looked after my Mum ( in his 70's - i hasten to add his choice, she could have gone in a home but he would not do it ), and i am sure my wife would look after me - but is it me? I think not. The point is, the chap we are talking about was fully aware mentally, but jiggered physically. It would drive me insane. I am currently recovering from an unsuccessful bypass op. And the fact i cannot do what i want, have been 'rootin' 'tootin' all my life is now really starting to p*ss me off. I am not useless you understand, but could not for instance chuck a bag of sand onto my shoulder. And it is very frustrating. This is minor compared to his situation. It's unlikely i will be stuck with this. However, i could, if need be live with it. But to be in his situation? No way.

Dean = get well soon!!!! Got a life still to lead!

Thanks for that, i did not post my situation for sympathy, just that i can see how it was for him, he is at rest now fortunately. When you saw how robust he looked before the stroke compared to his condition recently, you can see how frustrating it must have been for him. One thing that occurs to me is it would raise the cost of dying even more probably. My Dad died in January - the doctor's fees, as if we aren't paying them enough already? £140 odd. 'Cos since Shipman now you have to pay two of them! All things being equal, i will be sorted and get back to work. Someone's got to keep up the exports! Before that though off to the Paralympics next Friday - gotta do summat while i'm off apart from just walking about.

Dean - respect sir! My lovely Dad died A YEAR past in January, so I totally get you. Understand too.
Yeah, Tony was v v full of life before, it's tragic. A living death. Sleep well.
Paralympics? Wow! Have a fab time guys!!!! Those athletes put disabled folk like me to shame!!!!! Amazing!!!!!

And spare a thought or two for his poor wife. She has had to stand by while he argued for the right to be dead and now he has achieved his goal (albeit not the way he wanted), she will be feeling relief, guilt and, above all, pain.