Selected Quotations

The views of:-

Young people
Families with children
Ethnic communities
Elderly women
Caring for terminally ill spouses
Men facing terminal illness
Those who have lost children
Those who have lost spouses
Those who have lost parents
Those who have lost friends to AIDS
Sufferers of non-terminal illnesses
The nursing profession
The medical profession
Servicemen
Blue collar workers
Scientist and Academics
Religious
Opinion
Opponents

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This page reproduces selected portions of the numerous letters and messages of support received by Dr. Nitschke. The names and details of the correspondents are suppressed, although the sex, age, occupation and relevant work or personal experience and the state of origin are indicated, where known.

While many more wrote letters of personal support, the quotations are selected with the purpose of representing as fairly and comprehensively as possible

the range of beliefs and attitudes of the correspondents on the issue of voluntary euthanasia,

their sex, age, occupation, and life experience.

The ratio of supporters to opponents remains about 50 to 1. The opposing views included are therefore overrepresented. To submit an email letter of your own, click the button, or sign our guestbook. (Please note:- we do not guarantee to republish every letter submitted here.) Email

Voluntary Euthanasia Forum - a new site to which you can post longer personal comments on the political, philosophical and moral issues raised in the vuluntary euthanasia debate.

THE VIEWS OF YOUNG PEOPLE

As a 15 year old Year 11 student, relatively well versed in current affairs and I like to keep up with legal issues... I was relieved when the Parliament in the Northern Territory legalized Euthanasia. I feel it is a huge, greatly needed step forward. Just less than 6 months ago I lost my mother to cancer. She had been ill since I was seven, a nine year battle which absolutely destroyed her.... It hurt so much to see her like that. To see the cancer bulge on her chest, in her neck and cheeks. ... It hurt me more than anything ever has or ever will when she died, a feeling of total abandonment, but I know that now she is free. Free to do all the things that her sickened, dying body would not allow for nine long years ... Now she has a voice of an angel instead of the horrible rasp that she had because the doctors severed her vocal chord when they had to do an emergency tracheotomy during a spinal fusion. "Assisted suicide is an act of maximum cruelty" said theologian Gino Concetti, but he has obviously never watched a loved one fall into deaths clutches and stay stuck between life and death for days, weeks, months. He has never had to get up at 3 am and call an ambulance because his mother's morphine pump is blocked and she is enduring phenomenal pain from her skin cells to the core of her cancer polluted bones. He has obviously never felt the pain of watching your mother die for 9 of your 15 years.... Death is a part of life, it is part of the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth. I do not believe in God or Buddha or any other spiritually enlightened being. What I do believe is that to leave a person in the condition that my mother was in was more inhuman than relieving her of her pain ever could have been.

(F, 15, SA)


Date: Wed, 22 Jan 1997
From: <[email protected]>
Subject: Support Euthanasia

Three years ago I was 15 when my mother died of cancer. She had been sick for a year, and fought hard all the way. However I will always remember her lying on her bed and saying, "All I want to do is go to sleep and never wake up." No matter how strong a person is, there can come a time when they just can't go on. My mother fought for longer than any of her doctors advised, she continued with treatments when they told her it was no good and to 'enjoy the good times', these treatments made her feel so bad, but she kept on. She only stopped treatment about two weeks before she died. Although my mother was not euthanised, I totally suport this law. It is simply humane.

And again:-

Date: Fri, 24 Jan 1997
Subject: A Poem

I wrote earlier about my mother. This poem conveys my feelings much better about letting go.

She was a swan who wanted to fly
fly away from the pain.
She wanted just to say goodbye
and not come back again.
And as much as it hurts to let her go
she only wanted to be free.
Now she's free and happy, you know
you have to let her be.
And one day you'll see her once more,
and this you may deny,
But one day you'll see her I'm sure
but now you must say goodbye.

- XXXX? (W.A.)

This page is great, I just hope the people who need to read it.

(F, 18, ?)


From: "XXXX" <[email protected]>
Subject: Voluntary Euthanasia
Date: Fri, 24 Jan 1997

I have not had the experience of watching a loved one or friend die a slow, painful and undignified death wishing he/she had the option of euthanasia. I have seen a friend die slowly from a debilitating condition, but he did not desire euthanasia. Therein lies the distinction which a lot of those who oppose euthanasia fail to perceive. It is voluntary euthanasia you support, as do I. I very firmly believe that in those extreme circumstances where euthanasia is relevant, every human being should have the right to select that option. Those who do not agree do not have to select euthanasia, but they should not have the right to deprive those who wish to have the choice. It makes me extremely angry to know that such a few people have the power to deprive the majority of what I consider should be a basic human right. They seek to impose their moral/religious views upon the rest of us, and I hope they are not successful.


Date: Wed, 22 Jan 1997
From: Name <[email protected]>
Subject: It's about time

I suffered through seeing the pain in the eyes of both my Aunt who died of breast cancer and my grandmother who died of lukemia. It takes years for people like this to die and by the end of it they have shrivled up to nothing. Although through it all both my relatives tried to keep smiling, but I think it just gets so difficult for people suffering from terminally ill deseises to keep up the smiles for the rest of the, family. I still remember the happy times while they were alive, but I also see the pain in their eyes, and them lying in a hospital bed, dying. I couldn't imagine people going through this. I congratulate the Northern Territory for finally giving terminally ill people another option, than to die in agony and pain, and giving them some rest.

(F, ?, NSW)  sp;


Misplaced effort?

To: Nitschke-Philip
From: <[email protected]>

Philip, I am quite concerned about the Act. My concern it that it was rushed through by Marshall Perron and there was next to no public debate before or during the Parlamentary stages of the original bill. Sure we have heaps of debate now, but that is in the middle of people being euthenased under the Act, hardly a time for objective debate by both sides.

Another point is that you were a very good advocate for some very important issues here in the NT, but now have sided with the Government and are focussing on ending a few peoples lives. I just don't think this is very healthy for society as a whole and is a bit of a waste of your energy. I don't de-value the views of those people and the families of the people you helped to kill, but when you weigh it all up against the needless suffering due to poor health services in general and lack other prevenative measures I just think it is not so important.

(M, ? NT)


From: "name" <[email protected]>
Subject: May the Andrew's Bill never be passed
Date: Fri, 7 Feb 1997

I am a 23 y.o. female ... and all I can say is that I am proud of Dr Nitschke, in that you have the guts to stand up for your beliefs. If ever one of my parents became so ill that they sought to die rather than keep suffering, then I would wholeheartedly support them. If a person has the right to live, then they also have the right to die. I fully support Voluntary Euthanasia and have ever since I was old enough to understand the concept and its implications.

There seem to be quite a few highly conservative politicians who wish to see VE re-illegalised. These politicians who are supporting the Andrew's Bill are not listening to their constituencies, but their own narrow-mindedness. Any politician who supports the Andrew's Bill will never again have my vote. As for those religious groups who believe that it is their right to dictate to the rest of us what our moral values should be - guess again! You DON'T have the right to tell anyone how to live OR how to die.

Homepage: http://www.isp.net.au/~name

(F, ?, SA)


FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN

Date: Mon, 13 Jan 1997
From: ---------- <[email protected]>
Subject: EUTHANASIA

I have raised five children, believe in God and form opinions about everything! I have never suffered pain that I wasn't able to control. Perhaps I will never have to take advantage of VE, but I'm darn sure I would not want to prevent another from doing so if he or she chose. I fully support the NT Euthanasia Laws and am anxiously concerned that they remain in place as a standard for the rest of Australia. Dr Nitschke's dedication to dying people is admirable and beyond the capacity of most of the rest of us. His pioneering endeavours will never be in vain. Congratulations - stick with it!

(F, ?, NSW)  sp;


ETHNIC COMMUNITIES

... as a migrant who has worked for many years interpreting I have seen much distress and suffering when detailed in the medical field. Hence I am confident in stating that 85% to 90% of the migrant population ... are in favour of Euthanasia, when "their time has come". Many abhor palliative care, and feel that they are merely instruments of experiments by the Multinational Pharmaceutical companies to test new drugs since the Animal Liberations oppose the use of primates ...

(F, 68, NSW, Ex-Commonwealth Interpreter)


ELDERLY WOMEN

50% of all correspondents who wrote letters were women over 50, many of whom had outlived spouses and even children, and some of whom were in retirement villages or nursing homes themselves, and survive by remaining active within the community.

Congratulations for your kindly action to help a patient to die.... There are so many people in Nursing Homes who are all helpless and just kept alive - I know many would rather be dead. It is to be hoped that Parliament will be sensible and pass a law for the whole country to help those who want to die to be allowed to do so...

(F, 84, NSW, stroke victim)


May I say "thank you" on behalf of all the suffering and elderly patients who may be in need of your caring. I ... do not subscribe to any religion but have been sick and can understand why people who have a wish to die with dignity under extreme discomfort and pain.... it was a wonderful thing you have done and only the fit and healthy with no understanding of pain and discomfort could object. Of course some are so brainwashed by their religion that "life" is the only important thing, not its quality.

(F, 76, VIC)


I feel compelled to write this note to let you know how much I admire your courage and compassion re euthanasia. If ever in danger of being at the mercy of ANYONE as I approach the end of my life, may I visit Darwin too! I fear lack of dignity and loss of independence more than physical pain. ... I am a Catholic, but Christ chose death too. ... Thank you for leading the way... My late husband meant it when he told his surgeon "knock me on the head, doc" as he was about to have his only leg amputated at age 90. If euthanasia had been legal in Qld in '86, I could not have denied this brave man that comfort. He had to suffer another 2 years. We were married 52 years. A wonderful, brave and lovable man, friend and father. ... May you still be around when I need you... PS Not too soon I hope, until,.I attain my aim to make Autogenic Training Exercised widely known. I teach free classes to stressed, ill or drug addicted trainees who manage to produce wonderful results for themselves. These are mental exercises which may also stand me in good stead...

(F, about 90, QLD)


... I can see no virtue or even common sense in prolonging the life of someone who has become no more than a human shell, the quality and enjoyment of life gone, and no future but x number of weeks, months or years of pain and suffering to contend with.... I fail to see that while one person condemns the use of euthanasia, the production of test tube babies is condoned. A procedure which is against the Laws of Nature, as is the practice of keeping hopelessly ill patients alive by means of drugs and cumbersome medical devices. ... I am convinced that the majority fear the "manner of death" than death itself. In my many visits to nursing homes I have talked with people who pray each night to die in their sleep. ... I have come to be thankful that both my parents died suddenly from heart attacks. ... I sincerely trust that politicians will not ever be required to cast a "Conscience Vote" on the euthanasia issue as I feel sure that for many the vote would be influenced by personal, religious, political or monetary reasons ... I have seen mentally alert people who are forced to sit day after day doing nothing because they are blind and deaf. Their lives have become a misery. They have the mental ability, but because they can neither read the newspapers nor listen to the radio or TV, they are unable to use the faculty left to them ... Such people are lonely and isolated and many wish to end their days speedily. ... I can only hope that by the time I am served with my "sailing instructions", Euthanasia will have become law. ... If you must be given a "label", it should be Dr. Hope instead of Dr. Death.

(F, 90, WA, active and autonomous resident of village for elderly)


ELDERLY WOMEN CARING FOR TERMINALLY ILL SPOUSES

Elderly people, themselves ill or at risk of becoming ill at any moment, caring for terminally ill dependent or even incompetent spouses, live in terrible fear they will lose their own powers before their partner dies - a human tragedy not even considered by the opponents of voluntary euthanasia.

(F, 80 approx, VIC)

A very anguished letter, not reproduced here, from an elderly lady caring for her 81 yr old husband who suddenly and fully lost his vision and is confined to wheelchair and totally dependent on her. She has suffered from the consequences of anorexia since 16 yrs old, and has had portion of bowel removed because of cancer, and now has secondaries in the lungs. She has saved up 100 barbiturate tablets, which are now unobtainable, which she fears may have lost their potency, and has obtained a plastic bag to smother herself after taking them. She does not want to commit her husband to care, and fears succumbing herself before her husband, and even that her own attempt to die will fail because of inability to swallow the tablets.)


.. I want to be heard because I can see the goodness of it [euthanasia]. ... My husband has ... cancer ... and after losing his leg and half his bowel from it I can see what a horror his life is. ... he wants to write his whole story down for you. ... I am married to a man who often wishes he could just die.

(F, 60+, NSW)


ELDERLY MEN FACING ILLNESS

Congratulations on your courage and humanity. I feel for the chap you helped. I am having trouble with an enlarged prostate ... and my doctor says, almost casually, that it will ultimately turn to cancer. ... I consider the NT Euthanasia Bill the most important piece of legislation passed in Australia in my lifetime and I think your courageous act is far more important than a man landing on the moon by the factor of 1000... one hopes that ultimately humanity will prevail over religious and moral dogma. Like most people of my age I am not scared of death, but I am terrified of dying slowly - it must be so lonely. Do not let the "morally correct" influence you.

(M, 65, VIC)


... We had a dear friend .. who died from bone cancer and who suffered horrendous time in hospital and no matter how much he pleaded to die no one helped him. That's wrong. ... how about King George VI? I believe ... he was given lethal injection on his request to die while suffering from incurable illness. He was not only a King but Head of the Church of England and there was no ... law to do this in the UK. If it was good enough for him then we must say its more than good enough to die with dignity ...

(M, 60+, SA)  sp;


THOSE WHO HAVE LOST CHILDREN

I just have to put pen to paper to say Thank You for helping [Mr Dent]. These people who stand up and say no have not sat with a loved one, seeing them eaten away with cancer. ... last year [I] saw my dear daughter fade away, screaming. I could not help her. ... So Thank You, we need more men like you.

(F, 80, NSW)


THOSE WHO HAVE LOST SPOUSES

I would just like to say I for one believe in what you are doing ... My husband died .. with Prostate Cancer and he suffered for years, he had operations, radiation ... and had the best of care. I nursed him at home for three years but had to put him in a Nursing Palliative Care Hospice ... he was there for nine months and had very good care... but near the end my husband had lost all Dignity and screamed in pain ... he had a catheter always in ... he had morphine all the time, but it could not stop bed sores and the pain. He would always ask me to give him something to end his life; it broke my family and me to see him lose his Dignity. I am trying to say people should have the right to Die when there is no hope... Life is funny - we put our pets down so they will not suffer, but we let humans suffer because some people say you should not take a life, but the Morphine my husband had to have would of put him into the Coma and make his heart give out in the end.... I just had to write to you as I feel very strongly on this and it is good to see you have the guts to stand against what the Church and Politicians have disagreed against what the Northern Territory is trying to do to help those poor sick terminal patients ... there are a lot of people out there who feel like I do.

(F, "elderly", QLD)


I write to applaud you and let you know that among my friends and relations your humanitarianism gives new hope and strength to others. ...The nursing staff in the [Palliative Care Unit] were wonderful... within a few days, because of kidney failure, [my husband] slipped into a coma and died, but as he said to me "the worst part is waiting"... I am writing this note to you to assist both myself, in my grieving process, and more importantly to let you know that there are people out there that applaud your courage and would like to offer their moral support for the stand you and your colleagues have taken on behalf of all of us.

(F, 70?, VIC)


THOSE WHO HAVE LOST PARENTS

Date: Tue, 04 Feb 1997
From: <[email protected]>
Subject: Euthanasia

Dr Nitschke,

You have my whole hearted support in the arduous work you are carrying out. I am an old Territorian and I am proud of that fact, especially when legislation such as the euthanasia bill comes out of the N.T.

Among the proliferation of argument for and against euthanasia, one point seems to have been obscured: it is my decision, given the pronouncment of a terminal illness, whether I choose to live or die. If this bill required me to be put down that would be different. But is that not what the anti-euthanasia zealots are doing. Aren't they trying to impose their will on me? The only safeguards required are to ensure that that decision is of the person concerned and not as a result of duress. If it is not possible to legislate for such provisions it is more the lack of legal drafting than some moral tenet.

Please once more accept my thanks for what you have done and are doing. My mother died on new year after four months of falling apart - she was ninety two - and I listened to her begging me to arrange for to be allowed to die. That says it all for me.

Thanks again mate. Keep up the good work.

(M, ?, NT)


... Having seen my father slowly die, also from prostate cancer, over 18 months, I have felt sympathy with Mr Dent and applaud the enormous courage of both himself and his wife. Those who oppose the idea of euthanasia on the grounds that life is sacred and must be prolonged at all costs can only be regarded as moral cowards of the first order. ... I have watched at first hand as that type of non-thinking left my father more and more in pain and with his quality of life diminishing by the minute... my 90 year old father was pumped full of drugs to force him to continue his life as a bedridden and frustrated man whose mind was functioning fully but whose body was falling apart...

(M, 60+, WA)


I ... thoroughly commend you for your stance and wonderful support to dying people. When I was 19 ... my father was diagnosed with cancer of the liver, and in those days there were no beds in hospitals for terminally ill patients ... we had him at home in his won bed for nearly 10 months ... racked with pain....The night before he died he developed the "death rattles" and I sat beside his bed all night and listened to this horrific noise. I have never forgotten it. Anyone who opposes the death of a person suffering has obviously never had to sit and watch a loved one suffering in this horrendous manner...

(F, 63, NT)


THOSE WHO HAVE LOST FRIENDS TO AIDS

.. I lost my mother, brother and sister in law to cancer and helped my friend nurse her son with AIDS, all at home. ... my mother was full of cancer, had a stroke, couldn't speak, hear or see and was in agony. ... she wanted to die months before, while she could still speak. She begged us then... My brother had melanoma in his brain. He had always been very shy and quiet. he changed completely ... puffed up like a balloon all over. Lost his memory. Finally refused to take his tablets ... and had fits. he was so big and strong he almost destroyed the 6 of us caring for him in shifts, and the ambulance ... He finally died in agony having fits. My sister in law died in the same home ... with only myself and her son nursing her. The cancer was so bad it ate her spine away in large sores from lying in bed. She could not speak. Moaned all the time, never stopped. The last 6 weeks she couldn't open her mouth to eat or drink. We used a syringe with a small tube on the end to get between her teeth to give her water. The whole thing was horrible. I could not eat either, The whole house was putrid from the smell and I dry-vomited all the time from the cancer fumes... my friend's son had AIDS and he was only 27. ... that was the last straw for me. The stress of seeing all this misery makes me so angry. If they had been animals people would put them down. Because they were human they did not have the right to ask to die. Every one of them asked and begged but, Doctors have to suffer along with them and do nothing... Thank you for being so kind....

(F, ?, QLD)


SUFFERERS OF NON-TERMINAL ILLNESSES

... at the age of 36 I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, which produced excruciating pain in both knee joints and both shoulders ... Strong painkillers only took the "edge" off the pain. Faced with an incurable disease and with life as a cripple, along with a severe loss of self-esteem, I contemplated suicide. It was only the knowledge of the effect that it would have on my mother that actually prevented me from committing the deed. I have since had both knee-joints replaced, along with radiotherapy, injections into both shoulders and am now in remission. I'm religious ... but felt life was too precious to spend in such excruciating pain, and as a cripple. ... I am a Registered Nurse for 20 years and sometimes witnessed patients with severe, incurable diseases ... who desperately wanted to be released from their misery, and who weren't allowed to die with dignity... Let us pray that the Andrews Bill, or any other bill like it, is never passed.(F, 43, NSW)


I am writing to you to express my gratitude in your courage to stand up for those who are too ill to stand up for themselves. ... I am a firm believer in euthanasia for a variety of reasons, ... apart from my belief that no-one should be forced to suffer for the sake of those who are totally without compassion. ... I have seen relatives of mine die of cancer and it is a truly wicked death. I am a person who suffers from constant, extreme pain. I do not have a terminal illness and so I will have to suffer for probably the rest of my life, and I shouldn't wish it on anyone. Mind you there are a few politicians that I wouldn't mind giving my pain to for a while so they can really experience suffering. This is not a healthy attitude but it is how they make me feel. ... I have no quality of life. I spend much of my time in bed, I hardly ever sleep and when I do I have nightmares and I hardly eat. Because of this I am even more aware than most just how degrading and devastating to life pain can be. I realize that at the moment euthanasia is only for the terminally ill but I hope that one day people such as myself will also have the option when we reach the stage where we can cope no more. ... May you live a long and healthy life and never have to suffer pain.

(F, 32, sufferer since 5 years of degenerative nerve disease, SA)


NURSING PROFESSION

I want to tell you I support the action you have taken this week regarding helping a very sick person to die. It is a kind and humane thing to do and it is a great pity more educated people cannot agree. My nursing career spans 43 years and very often I have wished to help relieve patients and family from prolonged suffering. Please believe that many health care professionals support your action.

(F, 60+, QLD)


I write to support your courage as you try to bring euthanasia to those who choose to use it. I am a nurse ... and despair at the lack of humanity in the system ...

(F, 40?, VIC)


MEDICAL PROFESSION

Date: Mon, 20 Jan 1997
From:
Name <[email protected]>

As a doctor with 30 years' experience, I strongly support your stand on euthanasia. It is time we paid the patient enough respect to seriously listen to his/her wishes! At the opposite extreme I am aware that staff feel scared of litigation, or are trapped by rigid "policies" so that they over-investigate, overtreat, and as a final insult are compelled to "rescusitate" instead of letting death happen. Some years ago I stood in the way of the "Rescuss Team" as they raced in to prolong my patient's inevitable dying. Wiser legislation will, eventually, allow staff to use clinical judgement and listen to the patient with a view to a dialogue, not professional paternalism.

Dr. XXXX. FRANZCP


... I write to you as a colleague who may well be in a similar position in the future. ... I hope you have peace within yourself following what must have been one of the most difficult and frightening acts of your career.

(M, ?, ICU Registrar)


As a pharmacist I understand how many kicks in the head you must get and how few bouquets. Herewith my attempt to provide one of the latter. As the Fairfax group seems to favour archaic Roman Catholic views, I have little hope of publication.... My sincere congratulations on your triumph of logic over dogma. May our medical faculties follow your lead...

(M, ?, Pharmacist, NSW - copy of letter published in a national daily)


... I have debated in my mind over and over whether or not I should stick my nose into this business and my neck out into the danger zone...I fully support your action in the Northern territory and its Euthanasia debate. I am a doctor and a human being. ... I have watched my grandfather and grandmother both die of cancer. I have seen countless numbers of patients die. Some have requested help from me, some have cried in pain to their last breath despite large doses of morphine. I have wished and wished that they would die; for them, for their families and for the caring hospital staff. There is too much suffering without necessity. I wish to offer my full support in your quest to keep Euthanasia legal in the Northern Territory. Thank you for ... heading into the boiling pot of controversy surrounding this issue...

(From a doctor who participated in the involuntary euthanasia of a family member in a prolonged, irrecoverable coma).


SERVICEMEN

My wife and I wish to salute you and support you wholeheartedly in making it possible for this terminally ill man in Darwin to make his own decision on when to die. I ... hope that when I am struck with some terrible, painful disease this humane process will be still available. God bless you.

(M, F, 70, Ex Royal Navy & former police officer, WA)


Both my wife and myself support you wholeheartedly ... I find it strange indeed that I was ordered to kill others but I am denied the right to kill myself. A strange world indeed.

(M, F, Veteran pensioner, NSW)


BLUE COLLAR WORKERS

My (37 yr old) brother in law had lung cancer 17 years ago and after all the trauma he want through, eg, couldn't eat, he went into ... Hospital, and three days later we were informed of his death. We only learnt 5 years ago he had requested a needle as he was in so much pain. God bless Doc.

(M, truck driver, WA)


THE SCIENTIFIC AND ACADEMIC COMMUNITIES

My father went through months of agony and distress, with a form of cancer not responsive to palliative measures. He begged his doctors for release, which was refused, while his once powerful body literally consumed itself. When the end finally came, my mother and I wept, not with grief but thanks that his agony was ended at last. More recently my daughter suffered somewhat less, but was still terribly distressed for her final months, and virtually comatose for weeks under massive doses of analgesics. Now in my fifth year of an internal cancer, I too may face an analogous situation. I fear though, self-appointed "moral" arbiters will do their best to inflict on me the unnecessary prolongation of suffering so evident in many cases, denied a dignified end of their own choice. Fortunately, from a scientific career I have acquired sufficient knowledge to circumvent their obstructionist machinations, and make my own arrangements for such an end IF it should become really necessary. Shock, horror --- that would be ILLEGAL! But there is absolutely nothing lawmakers and clerics can do to stop me. I wonder if they realise how ridiculous this makes their posturings on the present issue of euthanasia? Also, the staggering growth of world-wide communication via the Internet, beyond all hope of censoring by such people, means that sooner or later someone will thereon provide access to knowledge of the kind necessary for individuals to make their own arrangements for a dignified exit, legally or otherwise. I would of course much prefer it to be legal, even if I never have to use it.

(M, 73, scientist, NSW)


RELIGIOUS

From: "Bishop XXXX" <[email protected]>
To: "'[email protected]'" <[email protected]>
Subject: Support and prayers
Date: Thu, 9 Jan 1997 19:25:48 +-1100

You have my full support, and prayers, in what you are doing.

I believe that the individual person has the right to choose when and where he/she wishes to die, as long as by their action they are not harming others.

It may be immoral for me to choose to act in this way, but I have no right to impose my morality upon another.

All the best,

May the Lord Jesus bless you and may He give you His Peace and Love.

BISHOP X. XXXX [RETIRED CATHOLIC BISHOP]

Homepage: - http://isp.cat.au/~XXXX


My wife and I wish to assure you of our heartfelt respect for your courage and compassion as you seek to give people a dignified climax to their life when life itself has lost its dignity. I spent the last eight years of my working life as a chaplain in Aged Care. In that capacity we both saw so many cases of people with no quality of life whose families went through agonies as they waited for the release that never seemed to come. We often deplore the rather inane comments that are coming from our Church leaders, and wonder how many of them have had first hand experience of the agonies you seek to overcome. We believe that the vast silent majority support what you are seeking to do. A recvent phone poll in Adelaide supported you most emphatically. We would like to think that our small voice, expressed in this way, may help you to hold out against those who appear to put rules befor human need.

(M, F, Minister of Religion)


I am glad another sufferer was helped to peace ... When I trained as a midwife in the 1940 any very badly deformed baby was not assisted in any way to survive ... Here when nursing terminally ill patients - if when dying they became restless I gave them the injection left by the doctor and they died in peace ... When .. my husband [was dying] following a stroke [and injury with assoiated massive infection] I got the Dr to have a look at it - he gave him an injection straight away - he died in half an hour. The Dr said he might have lasted till morning. So people I think have always been helped to die at certain stages. Here there is too much talk about the right to life - but when there is much pain and no quality of life, it is time to die. better to be helped than to blunder with pills and plastic bags. Its' quite difficult to do it oneself. If the occasion arises, I hope to be helped out....

(F, ?, Unitarian Church member)


... there are many people [like] myself that appreciate the option you have opened up for all Australians in case of need. I do not have a terminal disease and no-one close to me has but I have suffers physical pain and knowing that should my time come with terrible physical pain and therefore emotional anguish I would like to have a legal option to end my suffering. I am a Christian by faith and know that God would support me if I made this decision.

(F, 30+, QLD)


... For many years I was a nurse and thus had been in very close contact with cancer patients. I had my own thoughts. ... a lot of the patients I came across ... were "tired" and hoped for a peaceful, painless death. ... What right do those opposing the bill have to say that a person cannot make the final decision re their own body? ... I am a catholic, and I mention this only as a means to inform you how strongly I feel.

(F, 50+, SA) In stable condition after mastectomy for breast cancer.


Just a brief note in support of your very courageous action in helping Mr Robert Dent to a more dignified way of dying. It's going to take a great deal more courage to withstand the onslaught of the anti-euthanasia forces, perhaps the knowledge that people like my my wife and I are prayerful that you can cope ... [we] are ... Anglicans... I pass on to you that our immediate families, my mates at the golf club and the vast majority of our friends cannot understand why, where fully warranted people cannot exercise their option, people cannot exercise their option of death with dignity - easing the pain and suffering ... Damn the anti-euthanasia forces (whether vested interests or not)!!

(M, 50+, NSW


OPINION

...the present controversy, and the current trend to admit the senile to Nursing Homes, has denied many senior citizens suffering terminal illness and/or without quality of life, the assistance of their doctor to ease them out with compassion and dignity, because of the grave risk of prosecution and destruction of their career. In the past, when senior citizens were cared for in the home, the doctor was able to prescribe medication that would give relief not only from pain, but would also release them from despair and suffering by hastening their demise.

(M, ?, NSW)


... As for palliative care which was so forcefully declared to be the answer to all ills by Dr. Wake, we can only say that when lifde is no longer worth living and one is ready to go and wishes to "go home", then no amount of palliative care will ease the burden of existing day by day waiting to make that final journey. He would no doubt make arrangements for his own peaceful end.

(M, F, ?, NSW)


It saddened me that Archbishop 'Clancy of the Overflow'ing Compassion was very depressed that someone could have escaped from a painful life. perhaps he could get some counseling and some pain killers for his headache - bearing in mind that God might regard this as unnatural intervention and cane him at the Pearly Gates. ... Laughter is the Best Medicine.

(F, ?, NSW) Accompanied by scrapbook of self-drawn cartoons.


In these times of torrid debate about the Northern Territory's euthanasia legislation and your role in it I feel compelled to write and offer you my complete and utter support. I am aware of your courage and selflessness. Unlike so many others in your profession you are honest and place your compassion for others ahead of self-interest or fears of public criticism. The Catholic Church and the life-at-any-cost advocates stick to their own narrow, rigid outmoded doctrines where suffering is sanctified and relief from suffering vilified. I am sure they are an outspoken callous minority. Those who value dignity and compassion over all else will stand by you and applaud you and, I am sure, will number in the majority.... Take solace in the face that people like me, who live thousands of miles away and who you don't know at all, share your views and admire the stance you are taking. I also admire Bob Dent. His letter says it all, and says it SO well. You've shown that you don't retreat from the issues, you don't crumble in the face of political intimidation and you don't let ridiculous threats of prosecution intimidate you either.... It's a shame your colleagues, in the AMA, won't come clean and stand by you. The cynic in me suspects that the financial gains in "palliative care" matter too much to some.

(F, QLD)


I write to support you in your enlightened approach to legally assisted voluntary euthanasia and agree that to help someone in this way is probably the greatest act of love. The type of death that increasing doses of morphine causes is cruel. I feel so angry when I see these so-called experts talking about "better palliative care" and "better pain relief" as an appropriate answer to dying with dignity when all hope of recovery is gone. My experience is that their "care" REMOVES all dignity and renders the victims (and I use the word deliberately) incapable of making any decisions for themselves. When the vomiting starts, they are terrified. I saw my brother and mother die this way and it was just too cruel. ... Every friend and family member of mine supports you. To us you are "Dr Dignity" - NEVER "Dr Death".

(F, 60?, WA)


OPPONENTS - THOUGHTFUL

I saw you a few times on television, and you appeared as a gentleman, with strong features and a good deportment! Lately you did look tired and frustrated, with sunken eyes, and felt I wanted drop a line or two to you! Why do you do this thing on euthanasia? It really sounds awful, and to actually see these people die ... One day you will die, isn't there any hope in you of an "after life"? Your name sounds Polish or German, you must have a good spiritual upbringing! I am a Hungarian by birth, and proud of my heritage. I beg you to think carefully of your deeds ... There is an "Intelligence" greater than we - we must learn to live through the pain, be it physical or emotional! I have learnt a lot in my life through these negative situations, grown inwardly and discovered a beautiful fusion with nature! Let it go ... lay your gadget to rest and on one side! It must be very taxing for you and it really doesn't bring you peace! Please consider my plea! May God love you and His Spirit guide you arright! Surrender this work, please!

(F, 60? NSW)


OPPONENTS - DOGMATIC

We write to you in Christian love as two who have been praying for you and against the continuation of the practice of euthanasia. Whilst you are convinced you are trying to help mankind, we KNOW you will never find peace while you are interfering with God's purposes. He alone is the author, sustainer and taker of life. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to bring us abundant life on this earth through faith, by His death and resurrection. He also promised us we would have suffering but that "we would not suffer above what we could cope with". Suffering sometimes is the crisis that makes us really think about our mortality and brings us to faith and salvation. Premature termination of life denies a person this opportunity. Matt.8:12 tells us death is not the end of suffering for a non-Christian. Often reconciliation of family and/or friends takes place around a sick bed where the real issues of life are faced.... As one who is sharing in the frailty and hospitalization of elderly parents at the moment and witnessing their fierce fight and desire for survival, we shudder to think of their insecurity should euthanasia be legalized in this state as they lie in hospital wondering if the doctor is going to classify them as 'disposable'. Both history and the views of prominent politicians and others have taught us that 'voluntary' can so easily slip into 'obligatory'. It seems curious to us that as a Greens candidate you have been wanting to save trees, yet as a doctor you see human life as expendable. The GOOD NEWS is that Jesus came to bring forgiveness and if you can't get the killing off you conscience, ask Christ to forgive you and be your personal Saviour. You will experience His unconditional forgiveness and peace no matter what the world throws at you and your life will be richer by far and more meaningful than ever before.

(M,F, ?,?, VIC)


I ... believe firmly in ANTI-Euthanasia. My own very personal brush with death is a personal testimony of how thankful I am to be extremely well and healthy. In 1993 I was a total write-off, now I am thankful to our Perfect Creator for my life as it is today. ... My deceased husband led a reckless life, always saying "Live Fast and Die Young!" but when he was diagnosed terminally ill with Bowel and Liver Cancer with three months to live, it was an entirely different attitude. Even with all the pain and discomfort, he miraculously clung to life, even amazing the medical profession. Thirteen months later he died naturally, because he had the will to live and sort out all his guilty feelings; and then peacefully met his Maker. I know this because of our Divine Savior's almighty plan, life is very precious and Sacred. My husband died in his own home at peace with God and the World because he submitted to Almighty God's Divine Plan! "Eternity is now, It is not Yesterday nor Tomorrow, It is never, but always ever." I remain yours truly and in anticipation of eternity.

(F, 60+, VIC)


From: [email protected]
Subject: my opinion
Date: Mon, 13 Jan 1997

(Expletive deleted) off and go to hell.

Dr X. Xxxxxxxx
------------------------------------------------
Department of Genetics
National Research Institute of Mother and Child
Warsaw, Poland
phone +48 XX XXX XX XX, phone./fax +48 XX XXX XX XX

(M, ?, Poland, scientist)


If, having read these views, you feel moved to express your own views to the politicians who alone can stop the move to overturn the humane and progressive legislation in the Northern Territory, the 78 members of the Senate, you can download a lobbying kit from this site. It contains the telephone and fax numbers for all Senators, at both their parliamentary and electoral offices, and their mailing addresses, and a brief guide on their use for the most effective lobbying and way of making your views understood. All documents are readable on PC and Mac computers.


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