Reginald Crew, 74,
suffers from motor neurone disease and is living each day in a state of
excruciating paralysis. Many people in Kirkby and elsewhere have seen for
themselves the terrible pain afflicted on those suffering this condition.
Law prevents assisted suicide in UK
Reginald, an ex Dock Worker from Hunts Cross on Merseyside spoke on the Radio Merseyside news on the
31st of December and it was a moving piece of radio. Anyone who heard Reginald speak
can not have failed to have been moved by his dignity and courage. Reginald is losing
use of his limbs, and the nature of the disease means that the sufferer will be gradually
paralysed and be unable to communicate. Reginald wants to end his pain by euthanasia,
or an assisted suicide as it is being called. The UK laws are clear on this matter
and anyone helping will be liable to prosecution. Once again the beurocracy of Law
stands in the way of common sense, and the gutless politicians go into a collective
state of denial.
UK the backward cousin of Europe
The Swiss laws on assisted suicide are among the most liberal in the world.
Doctors have the right to prescribe lethal doses of medicine to patients if
the patient voluntarily decides to commit suicide and can take the medicine
on his own. Unlike in Holland and Belgium, euthanasia, when doctors inject
lethal doses medicines, is prohibited in Switzerland. The UK is the backward
cousin in Europe when it comes to progressive thinking and action. Once again
England stands out for its inhumane almost medieval practice of insisting
patients die in pain. Maybe this in part due to the Churches interference in
social matters.
An issue we must face.
Euthanasia is an issue which needs to be addressed urgently in the UK. There
are cases which merit the use of assistance in euthanasia, in the case of Reginald,
this will sadly come too late as he is forced, like others, to go to other Countries
such as Switzerland. This is an uncomfortable subject for many, but many Working
Class people are in agreement that there are times when the quality of life becomes
such that death will be a comfort. It is an act of human kindness to end needless
suffering.
Common Sense must prevail
Kirkby Times wishes Reginald and his Family all the best of luck here. Others too
will face situations similar to Reginald's and we must allow common sense to prevail
whilst exercising caution against those who would use euthanasia for reasons which
may not be morally acceptable. It's a sick world when we let the law interfere to
the point of denying terminally ill people the right to choose the point at which
they die.
Updated: Reginald has passed away peacefully in Switzerland and there will now be the
possibility of the Police questioning Reginalds Widow and daughter who went over on the trip.
We will bring a more updated report soon.
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