I am of sound mind and body (for now) and I agree with the idea of assisted suicide 100%. For the physically ill with no chance of recovery. It is a
hard decision but one many people will face in their lifetime.
I have 3 Major Traumatic Brain Injuries (MTBI) and several Minor (mTBI). I got them during my first few combat deployments (03-05). I had to go
through therapy to learn to talk and walk again at the age of 35. My condition manifests as debilitating headaches and minor loss of motor function. I
deal with it all pretty well for the most part. I hike, kayak, read, and attend college so I am still functioning as I should. However, I have three
complete tears of the meninges (brain lining) that cannot be repaired and/or reversed. I will continue to have tissue necrosis at the sight of injury
until such time as all function ceases.
My prognosis is a 60% chance of early onset Alzheimer's by age 45 (5 more years
) and complete dementia and a quasi-vegetative state by 55.
Neither prospect I relish to say the least.
I will fight the good fight. I constantly exercise my mind to attempt to "rewire" the brain. I exercise and eat healthy to maintain the lifestyle I
enjoy. I refuse to judge people (as much as possible) and I always tell people exactly how I feel. I know, and my close family knows, that I will not
be here forever and I do not want to leave doubts behind.
The allowance for "assisted suicide" is a last resort or worst case scenario. It is easy to say that it is wrong and amoral. Especially when a
person is not faced with the eventuality of being unable to function and simply live for years in pain fueled suffering.
Is it right for "assisted suicide" based on emotional pain? I cannot say what is right or wrong. I can only say that emotional pain (however
extreme) is temporary. Happiness can be found to pull people out of despair. Never should a life be ended without attempts being exhaustively made to
remedy the situation.
The act of assisted suicide will allow for goodbyes and preparation (wills, inheritance, explanations). It is a cleaner environment for the process,
much better than simply finding a note and a body I would think.
Many things can change. Science and medicine can advance that would make this kind of procedure obsolete. People can beat the odds and live long
productive lives with severe illnesses and conditions. But, I feel that the idea of assisted suicide with a terminal patient should always be the
choice of the individual. They know what they have gone through and what they have to look forward too.
Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem........ but what if those problems are permanent too?