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Dennis and Flora Milner, aged 83 and 81, were found dead
in their home in Newbury on Sunday. They had sent a
letter to the BBC saying they had "chosen to peacefully
end our lives." "We have each reached the point where
all the finest available treatment and TLC can no longer
attain the desired and acceptable level to support an
enjoyable and worthwhile life. To force the issue
beyond this point would mean for us a living death; we
have therefore chosen to peacefully end our lives."
Dennis Milner wrote: "I have made many visits to friends
and relatives in care homes. They cannot wash, dress,
feed or toilet themselves. They cannot get out of the
chair or walk. This can go on for a long time -
years. Long before we reach this stage of degeneration
the quality of life for us would be unacceptable, cruel
and inhumane."
The couple wrote that they wanted to draw attention to
the "serious human dilemma" faced by those who want to
end their lives with loved ones around them. "Today we
have been denied what we believe to be our basic human
right - to terminate our own lives, in our own home, at
our own choosing, with our loved ones around us, without
anyone having to face any legal possibilities or
harassment," they said.
[Some notes on other topics are in the Notes section
below.]
[Note: Some other recent stories related to this topic
are in the Links: section below.]
To read the full article click on one of these links, both of which go to the same destination. A short link is provided for the convenience of readers. Also, readers may search and browse past advisories on the web (see bottom.)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/berkshire/8340808.stm
Also see:
Couple wrote to BBC to tell of suicide decision
[Guardian]
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2009/nov/04/denis-flora-milner-assisted-suicide
"Sarah Wootton, chief executive of Dignity in
Dying, a group which the couple [Dennis and Flora
Milner] supported and which has campaigned for a
change in the law on assisted dying, said they
were "saddened" by the news. "Both were
supporters of Dignity in Dying's campaign to
change the law on assisted dying for
terminally-ill adults," she said. "Their case
highlights some people's deep concerns about
suffering unnecessarily at the end of life, and
the lack of a safeguarded choice which can prompt
people to take drastic action through fear.""
William Stanton: I botched our suicide pact
[Times Online]
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article6897964.ece
William Stanton tells his story. Previous
EuthaNEWSia story of October 7th:
Britain:
Wife dies, elderly husband lives and is arrested
for murder
A Toronto Globe and mail report offers a hint of
how Quebec might proceed without Federal
agreement: "Quebec could create a framework for
ethical euthanasia for terminally ill patients,
said Yvon Bureau, a social worker and long-time
activist for legalization. As with abortion
several decades ago, the Quebec government could
declare an end to prosecutions for euthanasia, as
long as the rules are followed. "I think it's
something that might be too big for Canada to take
on, but just small enough in Quebec," Mr. Bureau
said."
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/quebec-doctors-cautiously-endorse-euthanasia/article1350279/
The Spring edition of Dying
With Dignity Victoria's newsletter, Update, can be
downloaded as a PDF.
http://www.dwdv.org.au/newsletters/nl_148spring09.pdf
"Suicide letter couple found dead". BBC News. Page last updated at 22:01 GMT, Tuesday, 3 November 2009. <news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/berkshire/8340808.stm>. BBC News, Television Centre, Wood Lane, London W12 7RJ.
Tags (or keywords) briefly indicate some major topics of the report.
suicide
Dignity in Dying
Britain
The EuthaNEWSia ID for this advisory is: enid200911043920.
Mailed: Wednesday, November 4, 2009 14:33:39 -0600
at Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
EuthaNEWSia is a free Canadian news advisory service covering end-of-life issues such as right to die, assisted suicide, and euthanasia. EuthaNEWSia is produced by the Right to Die Society of Canada which works toward a good death for all, including open, regulated and equitable access to euthanasia and assisted suicide. The editor is Michael Dawson <editor@euthanewsia.ca>.
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