(10l) The right to decide how to die

Marieke Vervoort. Belgian Paralympics champion. In October 2019 she, or better her body decided for her that further living became unbearable painful. And thus, although she wanted to live, her body decided it was time to use Belgium's right to die a dignified death under Belgium's euthanasia law. Indeed, sometimes Belgium can be an example for the rest of the world. A touching NY Times article to honour her and a personal thought by the photographer who pictured her during the past years to show that euthanasia is not something that is an easy escape route as she postponed her end a few times until it was clear to everyone her suffering became too much. It seems the parents are not happy with the photos although I hope they change their mind in future. Indeed, Marieke wanted to show the world why dignified death is not something wrong.

Euthanasia in any circumstances without judgment

And although euthanasia is possible with the possibility to cancel the final end until someone is really ready for it, the law is not perfect as people have to give their consent at the moment they want to die. Indeed, it should also be possible for people to write down when they consider their time has come in cases such as dementia whereby people gradually loose any control over the body and mind as the brain is dying. Indeed, I read ones a terrifying article how people had to decide to have euthanasia and thus die when the first signs became visible because waiting longer may result in becoming incapacitated and thus remove the right of euthanasia. And thus people die too early because this error in the law. Still, certain politicians continue to claim they know best and oppose changes in the law so people have to choose between early death or agonising final years for themselves and their family. But, I agree, if people don't want euthanasia than this should be respected although death may come as a consequence of pain reduction.

But, we should also recognise the financial cost if we want to keep people with severe dementia alive; indeed, dementia changes people so they become zombie-like: no longer able to reason and register what they  and others do but still able to walk around. In the end, they sit and don't even realise they wait for Death to come as only their body is still alive. And thus, it should be possible for people to decide their moment of euthanasia to keep their dignity as a human but even for society. A person can describe when they no longer consider life worth living while the medical profession, preferably together with the family, determines when this defined moment has come such as someone will never regain awareness. Indeed, health professionals are best to know as they know progress of science and thus whether someone can still recover. We start to do the same with people in a state such as coma when doctors know it's over because continuing is torture; it's sad to see that friends and family in such circumstances can't accept the situation although of course, an extension of time to accept the inevitable should be possible as saying farewell is difficult to accept. Indeed, in Marieke's situation the final day was changed a few times until everyone accepted that living became hell so people can be in harmony with what happened. In these circumstances it may even be possible to donate certain organs so the person continues to live in someone else although this is probably only possible when other products are used.

And thus, we should be clear, keeping dead people alive means less money for other people who may need an expensive drug to be healthy or stay alive. Thus, as long as we can help people we should, whatever the cost so euthanasia is not used to reduce costs of treatment. But, certain diseases such as Alzheimer whereby the brain dies mean it's over, whether we like it or not although we may be able to slowdown the progress of the illness so ending someone's life can be postponed to a later time, maybe even years later. As Marieke's case shows, knowing you have a choice can make people stronger. But, blocking the possibility such as for dementia may result in earlier death. Maybe later we return to enjoy again this life if that may bring comfort. Or not.

Few people want to die early but some do for whatever their reasons, either in a dignified way via euthanasia and surrounded with family and friends if they wish. Or in a terrible way for the person but also family and friends by using a rope, gun, train,... . I've written about this before because I think it's a human right to live but also to decide about the moment we choose to die.