One of the most powerful means at the disposal of the pro-assisted suicide and euthanasia lobby is the use of stories which are often deeply emotive. They are stories of people suffering and even choosing, sometimes, to go to clinics such as Dignitas in Switzerland to end their own lives.
But there are other stories that tell a different story. Stories of people nearing the end of life but experiencing quality care and support, of people enjoying precious moments with dying loved ones in those final weeks and days, of people experiencing true dignity as their lives draw to a close. It’s these stories we need to start telling in churches, the media and, crucially, to MPs and MSPs at Westminster and the Scottish Parliament.
So, I’m asking for your help.
The kind of stories we are looking for are:
- A simple statement that you are glad that you live in a country that does not permit assisted suicide.
- The story of care you or a family member or friend provided for a loved one who was terminally ill, of how glad you are that assisted suicide was not an option, of how good the care was, and of how you both appreciated spending final days together – particularly as this would not have been possible had your loved one already died because of assisted suicide, if it were legal.
- Perhaps the most powerful accounts are of people who become very ill, say they want assisted suicide but don’t have it because it is not legal, and then recover in some way – even to full health in some cases – or over time change their mind and say how glad they are that assisted suicide was not an option. If that was your experience or the experience of someone you know then we would really love to hear from you.
You can send us your stories by emailing mail@care.org.uk or by posting them to our Head office at 53 Romney Street, London, SW1P 3RF. We then may follow-up with you, where appropriate.
