Fear of Dying of Old Age Assisted Suicide in Switzerland

Nan Maitland, who suffered from arthritis but was active and not terminally ill, left a note saying she wished to escape the “long period of decline, sometimes called ‘prolonged dwindling’, that so many people unfortunately experience before they die”. Mrs Maitland, who was separated with three children, founded an organisation that campaigns to allow elderly people who are not terminally ill to commit suicide with medical aid. Her case has led to accusations that relaxation in the law on assisted suicide will lead to people dying who could have continued to lead meaningful lives. Dr Peter Saunders of Care Not Killing, a group of organisations campaigning against assisted suicide, said yesterday: “Any change in the law would place pressure on vulnerable people to end their lives so as not to be a burden.”

This “meaningful lives” nonsense is so bigoted!  People go through difficult times, and often adjust.  To say that suicide is okay for those without “meaningful lives” abandons such people to their own worst fears and self concepts.