Hope my comments in here about euthanasia don't cause any offence or upset. I have deliberately omitted any reference to religious belief because I don't want to upset anyone.
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I think when you get down to it, it's all about choice. I know euthanasia is a very controversial topic, and as soon as its mentioned all the pro-life folk start banging their drums and claiming its like some sort of ethnic cleansing, but of the sick and the old...but surely it is actually a choice for a person themselves to make? I would never advocate suicide as a solution for the mentally ill or lonely people, but surely if someone truly does not want to live, for a sound medical reason, and (very importantly) there is no realistic hope of improvement, then why should society and the medical community force them to live on? That is of itself an enormous cruelty. The court cases in recent years, where those with terrible illness have begged to be allowed to die and been refused just chilled me to the bone. Where is the compassion and humanity in that?

I saw a documentary last year about geriatric care that frightened me witless as well, and made me wonder where the sanity is in our health system. Wards filled with the very old, too ill to be at home, many with no family left, no visitors, and no hope. So many begged to be allowed to die. Nursing care was so variable, and while some were looked after well, other starved because nurses didn't have time to feed them, or lay in filth. It was something from a nightmare, in our own healthcare system. I'm not for one second advocating a doctor with a syringe going around clearing geriatric wards, but again I think common sense and compassion should be used, and if someone begs for death, and really has so little worth living for (in their own eyes and those of a normal human being), and if life itself just causes them suffering now, then why is it so unthinkable?

I have experience of a loved one dying in hospital at the end of their life. I was there at the end, held their hand, and felt overwhelming relief that it was all over for them. But I cursed the healthcare system that would watch that happen inevitably over a long period, rather than assist in a clean and dignified end to suffering.

As I said in my previous post, I am often more scared of a future in pain that cannot be treated than I am of death itself. And as a human being, I do truly believe that someone with a long-term incurable condition causing constant terrible pain and disability should, when and if they reach that point, have the right to ask for release from a life no longer worthy of the name. And that death should be able to be in their own country, with medical care and supervision, with loved ones holding your hand, and be painless and gentle. That would be the greatest gift any person could give me at that point.

I don't believe it is an easy way out at all, and I don't think there is a danger of it being used carelessly. We all know how precious life is, and I think that to even get to that point would be a terribly long, considered and desperate journey. I always believed in euthanasia if handled with compassion and care, and since having CRPS I have become even more convinced. I truly believe that the Hippocratic oath has been twisted by modern medicine over the years: 'First do no harm'. Well, define harm for me then. Is deliberately condemning someone to torture not 'harm'? Is forcing someone to seek their own, inevitably more untidy, death not 'harm'? If some desperate soul asks for something so final, why cannot two or more independent doctors look at their case and make the decision that actually in their case it would be a kindness.... I think the Hippocratic oath is about doctors who are afraid to be the first to stick their head above the parapet and say that they agree with their patient, and would be willing to actually publicly take responsibility for the procedure. I think we all suspect that there are a few who do help a patient to that final journey, but surely they could be regulated and licensed to do so, with due cause and consideration?

I love my life, and for me the scales are firmly on the side of living, but I can see a time one day, hopefully a long way off, where the pain will weight things the other way. I live in hope now that the law will be changed and someone in authority will see past their own fears and prejudices and be willing to stand up for all those who actually have a darn good reason for asking for the unthinkable. I hope to goodness it happens in time for me.

As I said before, I hope I haven't upset anyone or caused offence. This is just something I passionately believe in, and this thread topic has given me somewhere to say it (thanks Renee).

Hugs to everyone. Goodness knows we need them!

Bram.