Comments on: How to contact Dignitas in Switzerland http://assistedsuicide.org/blog/2006/02/06/how-to-contact-dignitas-in-switzerland/ Weblog of Derek Humphry, Founder of Hemlock Society Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:21:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Proposal for Euthanasia Bill « Edinburgh Napier News http://assistedsuicide.org/blog/2006/02/06/how-to-contact-dignitas-in-switzerland/comment-page-1/#comment-10626 Proposal for Euthanasia Bill « Edinburgh Napier News Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:17:38 +0000 http://assistedsuicide.org/blog/?p=10#comment-10626 [...] There are currently only a small number of places where the law allows assisted suicide, including Oregon, Washington, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. Due to this over 100 British terminally ill patients have ended their lives at the Dignitas Clinic in Switzerland. [...] [...] There are currently only a small number of places where the law allows assisted suicide, including Oregon, Washington, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. Due to this over 100 British terminally ill patients have ended their lives at the Dignitas Clinic in Switzerland. [...]

]]> By: ergo http://assistedsuicide.org/blog/2006/02/06/how-to-contact-dignitas-in-switzerland/comment-page-1/#comment-10607 ergo Thu, 24 Sep 2009 00:31:38 +0000 http://assistedsuicide.org/blog/?p=10#comment-10607 Caveat emptor Caveat emptor

]]> By: pcm1 http://assistedsuicide.org/blog/2006/02/06/how-to-contact-dignitas-in-switzerland/comment-page-1/#comment-10592 pcm1 Tue, 08 Sep 2009 15:37:50 +0000 http://assistedsuicide.org/blog/?p=10#comment-10592 There is no "clinic" in Forch, Switzerland. as one who had paid my dues in June and went there at the end of August, I found there to be no location, but Mr. Minelli's house. and I was told to "go home" EVEN after I'd paid my funeral and officials expenses towards my death. I've asked for my full money's back but 3000 chf (about 3000 USD) is for "administrative expenses"....baloney. They never did anything for me, never allowing me to see a doctor, never read my letter about being in Zurich the end of August, only asked for more money. Their office staff is pathetic. The person who thinks he/she can plan the time of their death, think again. The only way to get anything done right is to do it yourself. There is no “clinic” in Forch, Switzerland. as one who had paid my dues in June and went there at the end of August, I found there to be no location, but Mr. Minelli’s house. and I was told to “go home” EVEN after I’d paid my funeral and officials expenses towards my death. I’ve asked for my full money’s back but 3000 chf (about 3000 USD) is for “administrative expenses”….baloney. They never did anything for me, never allowing me to see a doctor, never read my letter about being in Zurich the end of August, only asked for more money.
Their office staff is pathetic.
The person who thinks he/she can plan the time of their death, think again. The only way to get anything done right is to do it yourself.

]]> By: Realist http://assistedsuicide.org/blog/2006/02/06/how-to-contact-dignitas-in-switzerland/comment-page-1/#comment-10588 Realist Sat, 05 Sep 2009 20:44:31 +0000 http://assistedsuicide.org/blog/?p=10#comment-10588 I just read through these posts and my strongest feeling is that we must leave the decision on how and when to die up to the individual. All of you above expressed a variety of opinions and beliefs. It is your right to have them, but PLEASE do not impose your beliefs on anyone else. If you are a religious fanatic, then go ahead and wait for your god. Leave the rest of us alone!!! My opinion is that all of our countries are over-dominated by crazy religious fairy tales and some of the laws reflect this. There is no longer a separation of church and state in the US. If you are physically OR mentally suffering, there should be an easy, painless method to end your life whenever you see fit. I want to help create a society where there is a priority to alleviate suffering as per the individual's desire. I just read through these posts and my strongest feeling is that we must leave the decision on how and when to die up to the individual. All of you above expressed a variety of opinions and beliefs. It is your right to have them, but PLEASE do not impose your beliefs on anyone else.
If you are a religious fanatic, then go ahead and wait for your god. Leave the rest of us alone!!!
My opinion is that all of our countries are over-dominated by crazy religious fairy tales and some of the laws reflect this. There is no longer a separation of church and state in the US.
If you are physically OR mentally suffering, there should be an easy, painless method to end your life whenever you see fit.
I want to help create a society where there is a priority to alleviate suffering as per the individual’s desire.

]]> By: LifeisBeautiful http://assistedsuicide.org/blog/2006/02/06/how-to-contact-dignitas-in-switzerland/comment-page-1/#comment-10458 LifeisBeautiful Tue, 24 Feb 2009 05:55:32 +0000 http://assistedsuicide.org/blog/?p=10#comment-10458 Life is only beautiful, when we are able to realize that after a long storm, a cloudy day, a depressing winter... a sunny and bright day, a hot summer is waiting for us as long as we are alive... Life is suffering, even the healthiest, smartest, wealthiest people on earth suffer, we all suffer, from birth until end. I have witnessed two people dying of a painful cancer, and they did not want to die, I always wonder why? while there are others that easily give up life. The bottom line is that most of you really have the chance to end your life right now by any means you may choose, BUT the question is: Can you wait a little longer? maybe tomorrow you will feel better, or get the job you have been waiting for, or find somebody to love you for who you are, or have joy by giving love and hope instead of receiving it... Oh, Life is beautiful, just like beauty is in the eyes of the beholder...Life is a dual complexity, a yin yang, our hearts are not truthful, our emotions deceive us, I can be sad now and happy later, full of despair/full of hope, etc. Let's hope for a tomorrow free of shame, pain emotional/physical, ...it is possible... concentrate on reading, thinking, hearing the stories of hope and healing. I am in my 40s, single mom, unemployed professional, ... etc but I still hope for a better tomorrow. Life is like a Red Rose with a sweet smell, beautiful red contrasting the green, but full of painful thorns. Friends give yourself another chance, daily...think only of anything pure, loving, dignified, that's what all of you are. My love and wishes for healing, strength, clarity of mind, hope... Life is only beautiful, when we are able to realize that after a long storm, a cloudy day, a depressing winter… a sunny and bright day,
a hot summer is waiting for us as long as we are alive…
Life is suffering, even the healthiest, smartest, wealthiest people on earth suffer, we all suffer, from birth until end.
I have witnessed two people dying of a painful cancer, and they did not want to die, I always wonder why? while there are others that easily give up life. The bottom line is that most of you really have the chance to end your life right now by any means you may choose, BUT the question is: Can you wait a little longer? maybe tomorrow you will feel better, or get the job you have been waiting for, or find somebody to love you for who you are, or have joy by giving love and hope instead of receiving it…
Oh, Life is beautiful, just like beauty is in the eyes of the beholder…Life is a dual complexity, a yin yang, our hearts are not truthful, our emotions deceive us, I can be sad now and happy later, full of despair/full of hope, etc.
Let’s hope for a tomorrow free of shame, pain emotional/physical, …it is possible… concentrate on reading, thinking, hearing the stories of hope and healing.
I am in my 40s, single mom, unemployed professional, … etc but I still hope for a better tomorrow.
Life is like a Red Rose with a sweet smell, beautiful red contrasting the green, but full of painful thorns.
Friends give yourself another chance, daily…think only of anything pure, loving, dignified, that’s what all of you are.
My love and wishes for healing, strength, clarity of mind, hope…

]]> By: IrishLass3 http://assistedsuicide.org/blog/2006/02/06/how-to-contact-dignitas-in-switzerland/comment-page-1/#comment-10455 IrishLass3 Thu, 19 Feb 2009 17:20:56 +0000 http://assistedsuicide.org/blog/?p=10#comment-10455 I see both sides. I am a christian and believe in the bible and everything (alright not everything) God preaches but I also believe in the separation of church and state and that is what takes precedence in these kinds of matters. It CANNOT be a matter of what is morally right or wrong because there is no such thing as a universal "moral opinion". There will always be people who agree or disagree with varying degrees of grey. This HAS to be an issue of what is defined under "unalienable rights" (for those of us in America). Does a person have the right to end there own life? I say if we have to right to end someone else's life without their consent (death penalty) then we should have the right to end our own. I take the same stance on issues like abortion, I wouldn't do it but there is no way I would ever deny someone the opportunity to do what they will with their own body. (Of course I will say to always expand your view of the problem. Think about and discuss these kinds of things with friends and family) I see both sides. I am a christian and believe in the bible and everything (alright not everything) God preaches but I also believe in the separation of church and state and that is what takes precedence in these kinds of matters.
It CANNOT be a matter of what is morally right or wrong because there is no such thing as a universal “moral opinion”. There will always be people who agree or disagree with varying degrees of grey.
This HAS to be an issue of what is defined under “unalienable rights” (for those of us in America). Does a person have the right to end there own life? I say if we have to right to end someone else’s life without their consent (death penalty) then we should have the right to end our own.
I take the same stance on issues like abortion, I wouldn’t do it but there is no way I would ever deny someone the opportunity to do what they will with their own body.
(Of course I will say to always expand your view of the problem. Think about and discuss these kinds of things with friends and family)

]]> By: ALB http://assistedsuicide.org/blog/2006/02/06/how-to-contact-dignitas-in-switzerland/comment-page-1/#comment-10452 ALB Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:56:41 +0000 http://assistedsuicide.org/blog/?p=10#comment-10452 I shall second that, i firmly believe in being able to make this informed choice myself. I am a below 40 years old lady that is facing a life not only dependant upon others, but also a life wracked in pain! Assisted suicide is just one option myself and my family have discussed in great depth. I'm certainly not going to spend the next 50+ years wracked in immense pain! I have strong feelings on this issue and as such should legally have the right to make this choice myself. In my country we would never let an animal suffer in this way, so why do we let humans??? In my country adequate pain relief comes at a cost to the individual (drugged up all the time, with no real respite from the pain in question), how can this be ok? I totally understand what is involved in this process as i have researched it for years now, I very firmly belive every country should offer this service & provided it is regulated thoroughly there are no issues. You'll always have 'preachers' but please remember it is YOUR life that matters not someone elses & YOU have the right to choose when that time ends. I shall second that, i firmly believe in being able to make this informed choice myself. I am a below 40 years old lady that is facing a life not only dependant upon others, but also a life wracked in pain! Assisted suicide is just one option myself and my family have discussed in great depth. I’m certainly not going to spend the next 50+ years wracked in immense pain! I have strong feelings on this issue and as such should legally have the right to make this choice myself. In my country we would never let an animal suffer in this way, so why do we let humans??? In my country adequate pain relief comes at a cost to the individual (drugged up all the time, with no real respite from the pain in question), how can this be ok? I totally understand what is involved in this process as i have researched it for years now, I very firmly belive every country should offer this service & provided it is regulated thoroughly there are no issues. You’ll always have ‘preachers’ but please remember it is YOUR life that matters not someone elses & YOU have the right to choose when that time ends.

]]> By: catpaws http://assistedsuicide.org/blog/2006/02/06/how-to-contact-dignitas-in-switzerland/comment-page-1/#comment-10451 catpaws Wed, 28 Jan 2009 01:33:23 +0000 http://assistedsuicide.org/blog/?p=10#comment-10451 In reply to serenity, i do not think assisted suicide is right. I am in a position to feel the need, but i am a fighter!!! I am so mentally messed up that 2 psychiatrists and 2 counsellers have given up on me. I refuse to take tablets that will drug me up and continue to fight for help. I have 2 life threatening illnesses that lay me out for days, still i will not give in. Ive been bullied and rejected all my life, now i do not care what others say or do. My life is too precious . Thank God Dignitas would not help me of on one of my 'bad' days, when i want to stay under my duvet and hope the world will go away. I have worked in a hospice and lost relatives to cancer (i'm fighting it myself, tooth n nail) but i will go when God decides. My heart truely goes out to mpaschal, i am 50, like her i have not achieved my dreams..if you end it, you never will!!! I haven't mentioned that i am a spiritualist medium and know there is an afterlife waiting for me, i do not fear death or how i'm going to die , i'm just in no hurry to leave this world!! Suicide is selfish, my own daughter attempted it last May. 3 days i watched the hospital staff fight to save her liver. She is 27 and couldn't live without the man who rejected her..i am sure she would have gone off to Switzerland if she'd had the money and that is the type of thing that worries me. My sister recently watched the 'Short stay in Switzerland' and is very excited about the idea, she asked me to go with her..my reply," if that's what you want to do you go alone, i'm not sitting with her and watching her do something i do not believe in and facing prosecution when i arrive home"..not forgetting that i have mental issues and that would probibly, totally push me over the edge. All so very selfish. Not a thought left for the family/loved ones left behind...my mum is 84, widowed, has heart problems, she should not have to face burying her daughter because some programme has put ideas into her head. In reply to serenity, i do not think assisted suicide is right. I am in a position to feel the need, but i am a fighter!!! I am so mentally messed up that 2 psychiatrists and 2 counsellers have given up on me. I refuse to take tablets that will drug me up and continue to fight for help. I have 2 life threatening illnesses that lay me out for days, still i will not give in.
Ive been bullied and rejected all my life, now i do not care what others say or do. My life is too precious .
Thank God Dignitas would not help me of on one of my ‘bad’ days, when i want to stay under my duvet and hope the world will go away.
I have worked in a hospice and lost relatives to cancer (i’m fighting it myself, tooth n nail) but i will go when God decides.
My heart truely goes out to mpaschal, i am 50, like her i have not achieved my dreams..if you end it, you never will!!!
I haven’t mentioned that i am a spiritualist medium and know there is an afterlife waiting for me, i do not fear death or how i’m going to die , i’m just in no hurry to leave this world!!
Suicide is selfish, my own daughter attempted it last May. 3 days i watched the hospital staff fight to save her liver. She is 27 and couldn’t live without the man who rejected her..i am sure she would have gone off to Switzerland if she’d had the money and that is the type of thing that worries me. My sister recently watched the ‘Short stay in Switzerland’ and is very excited about the idea, she asked me to go with her..my reply,” if that’s what you want to do you go alone, i’m not sitting with her and watching her do something i do not believe in and facing prosecution when i arrive home”..not forgetting that i have mental issues and that would probibly, totally push me over the edge. All so very selfish. Not a thought left for the family/loved ones left behind…my mum is 84, widowed, has heart problems, she should not have to face burying her daughter because some programme has put ideas into her head.

]]> By: serenity http://assistedsuicide.org/blog/2006/02/06/how-to-contact-dignitas-in-switzerland/comment-page-1/#comment-10450 serenity Tue, 27 Jan 2009 21:31:03 +0000 http://assistedsuicide.org/blog/?p=10#comment-10450 all for the people who do not think assisted suicide is right obviously are not in the position to feel the need. do not judge others - you may think differently in their position. as for God - who knows whether he exists. again, it is opinion do not judge others for their opinions. all for the people who do not think assisted suicide is right obviously are not in the position to feel the need. do not judge others – you may think differently in their position.

as for God – who knows whether he exists. again, it is opinion do not judge others for their opinions.

]]> By: peejay http://assistedsuicide.org/blog/2006/02/06/how-to-contact-dignitas-in-switzerland/comment-page-1/#comment-10448 peejay Wed, 14 Jan 2009 18:05:49 +0000 http://assistedsuicide.org/blog/?p=10#comment-10448 Makepeace, What you have written about yourself describes my own feelings exactly. When I was younger and fit I could survive the bullying and rejection, but now I cannot. Who gave these religious morons the right to dictate to me how I should die? Then there are the ignorant fools who say all psychological conditions can be cured. They can't. All I get is a 20 minute visit to a bored novice psychiatrist who makes a few notes and says come back in 3 months. All I have to look forward to is getting older, more incapacitated, and finally dieing alone in a dreary hospital bed surrounded by uncaring NHS 'nurses' But even dignitas is not allowed to help people with psychological problems any more. Makepeace,
What you have written about yourself describes my own feelings exactly. When I was younger and fit I could survive the bullying and rejection, but now I cannot.
Who gave these religious morons the right to dictate to me how I should die?
Then there are the ignorant fools who say all psychological conditions can be cured. They can’t. All I get is a 20 minute visit
to a bored novice psychiatrist who makes a few notes and says come back in 3 months.
All I have to look forward to is getting older, more incapacitated, and finally dieing alone in a dreary hospital bed surrounded by uncaring NHS ‘nurses’

But even dignitas is not allowed to help people with psychological problems any more.

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