Madam, – Septuagenarian Noel Coghlan (March 23rd) takes issue with Dr Philip Nitschke who came all the way from Australia to tell us how to take control of our final destiny – by assisted suicide if necessary.
Mr Coghlan says there are therapeutic and palliative responses to euthanasia that lend meaning and dignity to death without the need to resort to assisted suicide. However, some palliative and therapeutic responses leave a lot to be desired, leaving bereaved relatives and friends in great distress and feeling helpless. Not everyone can get into the hospice for the dying.
As someone who has witnessed such a bad death I find myself hoping that society will pay some attention to what Dr Nitschke advocates.
Surely God gave us our brains in order that we should use them to better our lot – as to the manner of our deaths and the deaths of other species. Euthanasia is not a bad word. Think about it. Words alone cannot help or hurt us, neglecting to plan can. – Yours, etc,