A sad story, but does one have the right?

**jandajoy** · 18-10-2008, 01:51 PM

British couple defends son's Swiss suicide

Story Highlights
Worcestershire Coroner Service does not say how James got to Switzerland
He was paralyzed from the chest down
British law bars anyone from cooperating with a suicide attempt
Assisted suicide is legal in Switzerland

LONDON, England (AP) -- The parents of a 23-year-old rugby player who committed suicide after a training accident left him paralyzed say the decision gave him "welcome relief."
Daniel James died in a Swiss clinic on September 12, according to a local authority in central England.
But the Worcestershire Coroner Service does not say how James -- who was paralyzed from the chest down -- got to Switzerland.
British law bars anyone from cooperating with a suicide attempt. Local police say they are investigating.
Assisted suicide is legal in Switzerland under some circumstances, and various organizations there provide suicide services.
Julie and Mark James said Friday that their son's death was "no doubt a welcome relief from the 'prison' he felt his body had become."

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed

RIP.

**Loy Toy** · 18-10-2008, 02:04 PM

I totally agree with euthanasia and in this case a perfectly alert but helpless person made the decision to end his tormented life.

A sad story for sure but Daniels' nightmare is over and at his own choice albiet not by his own hand.

**Jet Gorgon** · 18-10-2008, 02:16 PM

Uh oh. Sorry, Guys. I disagree. An ex-BF and pro football player is paralysed from the neck down after a car accident.

He regrouped, quit feeling sorry for himself and now coaches high school ball. As far as I am concerned, we are given the gift of life. It's not ours to throw away.

**Loy Toy** · 18-10-2008, 02:32 PM

Yes, there are some people who get over such horrific truama and I have absolutely every respect for those people.

But then again there are those who just cannot cope with such a severe change to their former lifestyle and they have every right to make their own decisions and if they are deemed mentally fit to do so IMO.

If someone close to me had such an accident I would do everything in my power to convince them that they still have a worthwhile life to live but if it was their final choice not to wish their life to continue I would also support their decision.

Don't know if I could pull the trigger though.

**jandajoy** · 18-10-2008, 02:38 PM

Originally Posted by Jet Gorgon

As far as I am concerned, we are given the gift of life. It's not ours to throw away.

Fair point, but who gives this "gift"?

Secondly, surely once a "gift" is given it's the owners to do with as they will?

**barbaro** · 18-10-2008, 02:53 PM

A sad story, but does one have the right?

If someone wants to end their life, and they are in clear mind, and conscious of the decision, they should have the right to decide when and how they die.

Why should they not?

**jandajoy** · 18-10-2008, 02:57 PM

Originally Posted by Milkman

Why should they not?

Some would argue that life is sacred.

**PlanK** · 18-10-2008, 02:59 PM

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

But then again there are those who just cannot cope with such a severe change to their former lifestyle and they have every right to make their own decisions and if they are deemed mentally fit to do so IMO.

Like people who run out of money in Pattaya and are facing the long flight home?

**jandajoy** · 18-10-2008, 03:36 PM

Originally Posted by Plan B

Like people who run out of money in Pattaya and are facing the long flight home?

By the time they've run out of money their brains have been so soaked in grog that they are unlikely to think rationally.

**keda** · 18-10-2008, 05:22 PM

As a woman has the right to take the life of another person, viz her unborn child, purely on mood or convenience, just seems fair for a terminally ill or damaged person to have the right to take their own life.

**jandajoy** · 18-10-2008, 05:32 PM

Hmm. Seems to be a question of who decides, state vs individual.

**Loy Toy** · 18-10-2008, 05:44 PM

Originally Posted by Plan B

Like people who run out of money in Pattaya and are facing the long flight home?

Seen a lot of farang who were near suicide and when having to go back and live in the UK.

**jandajoy** · 18-10-2008, 05:45 PM

Is it a crime in Thailand? Suicide that is.

**Norton** · 18-10-2008, 05:47 PM

Originally Posted by keda

As a woman has the right to take the life of another person, viz her unborn child, purely on mood or convenience, just seems fair for a terminally ill or damaged person to have the right to take their own life.

As long as the unborn child is given a vote, I would agree. Other wise seems to be a world of difference

**barbaro** · 18-10-2008, 05:51 PM

Originally Posted by jandajoy

Originally Posted by Milkman

Why should they not?

Some would argue that life is sacred.

Then these people can believe that and act accordingly for themselves.

They have no business applying that belief to others.

Yes, I think life is sacred. And if I choose to end pain, or end it, that is my business - and no one else's.

**keda** · 18-10-2008, 06:00 PM

Originally Posted by Norton

Originally Posted by keda

As a woman has the right to take the life of another person, viz her unborn child, purely on mood or convenience, just seems fair for a terminally ill or damaged person to have the right to take their own life.

As long as the unborn child is given a vote, I would agree. Other wise seems to be a world of difference

My point was that the unborn child has no choice in the matter, so if someone has the right to decide on whether they may or not live, often based on little more than mood or convenience, then surely a terminally ill/damaged adult should have the same right to decide on their own life.

Can't see where the vote comes into it, unless you're referring to LoS.

**MUSTY** · 18-10-2008, 06:21 PM

If life is a game we play, some play by the rules and some just spit the dummy and walk off. Still there is a choice for all players. Suicide may be a permanent solution to a temporary problem, for sure.

Some people learn to play the game, some people play the game to learn and others just make the choice to fold.

Whether one is motivated by failed expectations, the burden that may be placed on loved ones or just a knee jerk reaction. A choice is made in the game.

Life may not be a gift, just something we all decided to play. Everything changes, our outlook our fortunes, our destiny. The choice is still ours.

As a spectator, I can't judge anyone. Can you ...?

Only decision I have to make is whether I want to play or not....

**keda** · 18-10-2008, 06:33 PM

Useful philosophy, but what does it translate to when it's your call?

**AntRobertson** · 18-10-2008, 06:44 PM

euthanasia

Euthanasia? Aww, I reckon we should look after our own kiddies first. Boom tish! (sorry, couldn't resist

)

Seriously though, people are funny. If an animal is in pain and suffering little thought is given to the 'humane' option of putting it down.

But a person in pain with a terminal illness or the like, the focus is suddenly changed to doing everything possible to prolong their life - and hence prolonging the pain and suffering.

**keda** · 18-10-2008, 06:59 PM

Agree with wot he said. More than once I've seen people in continuous severe pain with no chance of recovery, being kept alive to fulfill some spiritual code that they'd happily be done with.

A memorable movie and one worth watching is 'Whose life is it anyway?' with terminally ill Richard Dreyfuss fighting a legal battle for the right to decide.

**kingwilly** · 19-10-2008, 11:33 AM

FFS - this sorry ass kid was only paralysed from the waste down?

His parents should be beaten for allowing/helping that to happen.

**jandajoy** · 19-10-2008, 11:36 AM

Originally Posted by kingwilly

this sorry ass kid was only paralysed from the waste down?

Chest down

**Jet Gorgon** · 20-10-2008, 08:02 AM

Originally Posted by Milkman

If someone wants to end their life, and they are in clear mind, and conscious of the decision, they should have the right to decide when and how they die.
Why should they not?

As far as I am concerned, life is a task. If everything was supposed to be easy, then what's the point? Taking your own life is killing a life. And it also means you are a loser, IMO. If you think it's OK to kill yourself because you can't get what you want or aren't "perfect" anymore, then killing someone else must be OK too.

**jandajoy** · 20-10-2008, 08:24 AM

So, you're saying suicide is the same as murder?

**benlovesnuk** · 23-10-2008, 03:51 PM

this is interesting saddening amongst other things......it is sad that a young man would seek this to be his defining and conclusive option.

The problem with suicide and its legality is that the complex nature it gives to other examples and the increased complexity in which it allows for confusion, miscomprehended mistakes and the complete misuse of it. That doesnt mean to say that people should not be able to choose, but to allow its legality is something else!

If a suicide attempt is made it will either succeed or not, if it does not in some instances the person committing this act should be held for thier own ill health and safety, until such a time that they are deemed ready to start again (i think in this case where reform is a greater help then that for criminals at leat in relation to each other). Whether people who abide and help in the undertaking is extreme in this case, for example if they helped him get to his destination but did nothing further to physically stop his life, then that would be harsh in consideration to enforce.

Either way people will die, but in this current scenario a lot more people live and i would rather go with this then another. life is insufferable and painfull, its bloody hard and terrible, vile and repulsive at some instances death seems the best option! However it is actually the easy option, the quick, the sparing and it is unequivocally straightforward that to legalize is wrong, but if the need is so great, you will take the risk involved of your life then doing so and adhering to anything after is imparted in that act.

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