Monday, August 15, 2005
Right-to-Die Activist End Hunger Strike Due to "Intense Pain"
From the Telegraph
A 28-year-old terminally ill woman who went on hunger strike as an act of voluntary euthanasia has ended her protest after 19 days because of intense pain.
Kelly Taylor had waited nearly 10 years for a heart and lung transplant, but was taken off the list two years ago after doctors told her the risks were too high.
She began her protest because she believed starvation was the only method of death that would not leave her husband, Richard, liable to prosecution for assisted suicide.
Well actually she is not terminal as the piece later admits.
Mrs Kelly [sic] was born with a congenital heart condition known as Eisenmenger Syndrome. Although not technically a terminal illness, the condition can progressively get worse with age and affect the patient's mobility.
She needs pure oxygen and cannot walk more than a few steps without collapsing.
Such high standards of journalism these days. Ms Taylor sheds some light on her own condition and motivations.
When she announced her intention to starve herself to death, Mrs Kelly[sic], of Stapleton, Bristol, said her life had become so restricted that she felt she could no longer make any contribution to society.
"It just felt like the right time to do something about my life and because there was no law to help me to die, I thought I would have to help myself."
I've come to consider this "burden on society/my family, etc" argument to be a smokescreen for depression. I would bet the farm that Ms Taylor is clincally depressed and is not getting proper treatment. To a large degree, I think euthanasia is a symptom of the failure of modern psychology/psychiatry. My heart goes out to Ms Taylor.
Mrs Kelly ended her protest on Thursday night by eating a small amount of apple-puree baby food.
She told the Bristol Evening Post: "It has become too uncomfortable and I would not wish what I have been going through on my worst enemy.
"I feel disappointed in myself. I really wanted to die and that seemed to be my only option. I regret that I have to stop what I am doing because I still want to die. But starvation, as it turns out, is very undignified."
In admitting this Ms. Taylor may have made a great contribution than she realizes. I wish it were possible to confront everyone who maintained that the means of Terri Schiavo's execution was humane and dignified with this account.
I've said before that suicide is a grave and difficult act and the right-to-die movement would have us believe otherwise. This also represents a point of division in their movement over how suicides should be assisted. To some degree the Life in us resists all such attempts and much deception is required by the right-to-die movement to conceal this fact. And lies of course always leave a trail.
Cross-posted on ProLifeBlogs
A 28-year-old terminally ill woman who went on hunger strike as an act of voluntary euthanasia has ended her protest after 19 days because of intense pain.
Kelly Taylor had waited nearly 10 years for a heart and lung transplant, but was taken off the list two years ago after doctors told her the risks were too high.
She began her protest because she believed starvation was the only method of death that would not leave her husband, Richard, liable to prosecution for assisted suicide.
Well actually she is not terminal as the piece later admits.
Mrs Kelly [sic] was born with a congenital heart condition known as Eisenmenger Syndrome. Although not technically a terminal illness, the condition can progressively get worse with age and affect the patient's mobility.
She needs pure oxygen and cannot walk more than a few steps without collapsing.
Such high standards of journalism these days. Ms Taylor sheds some light on her own condition and motivations.
When she announced her intention to starve herself to death, Mrs Kelly[sic], of Stapleton, Bristol, said her life had become so restricted that she felt she could no longer make any contribution to society.
"It just felt like the right time to do something about my life and because there was no law to help me to die, I thought I would have to help myself."
I've come to consider this "burden on society/my family, etc" argument to be a smokescreen for depression. I would bet the farm that Ms Taylor is clincally depressed and is not getting proper treatment. To a large degree, I think euthanasia is a symptom of the failure of modern psychology/psychiatry. My heart goes out to Ms Taylor.
Mrs Kelly ended her protest on Thursday night by eating a small amount of apple-puree baby food.
She told the Bristol Evening Post: "It has become too uncomfortable and I would not wish what I have been going through on my worst enemy.
"I feel disappointed in myself. I really wanted to die and that seemed to be my only option. I regret that I have to stop what I am doing because I still want to die. But starvation, as it turns out, is very undignified."
In admitting this Ms. Taylor may have made a great contribution than she realizes. I wish it were possible to confront everyone who maintained that the means of Terri Schiavo's execution was humane and dignified with this account.
I've said before that suicide is a grave and difficult act and the right-to-die movement would have us believe otherwise. This also represents a point of division in their movement over how suicides should be assisted. To some degree the Life in us resists all such attempts and much deception is required by the right-to-die movement to conceal this fact. And lies of course always leave a trail.
Cross-posted on ProLifeBlogs
papijoe 6:18 AM
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