Patrick Stewart says he wants the option of assisted suicide when his time comes

[marmar]

'Star Trek' actor wants choice of assisted suicide

By Diana Pilkington, Press Association
Monday, 18 April 2011


The actor Sir Patrick Stewart has declared his wish to be allowed an assisted death, and has become a patron of Dignity in Dying, the group campaigning for a change in the law on assisted suicide.

"A lot of it has to do with my age," he said. "I had a heart procedure five years ago. I was 70 last year and there is something about achieving threescore years and 10, isn't there? Then I had a family member who had been very ill and quite recently I'd heard the story of an illness and a death."

He did not go into detail about his female friend's death, but said she was "driven to an extreme situation of ending their life in the most ghastly way". ...............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/star-trek-actor-wants-choice-of-assisted-suicide-2269235.html

[RKP5637]

1. Recommend!!! n/t

[ReggieVeggie]

2. kick and rec for Dignity in Dying

and Sir Patrick!

[whoneedstickets]

3. This is around the corner if you ask me, once the boomers start to fade...

..we'll get a big outcry for dignified deaths.

[Blue_Tires]

4. I wonder if he'll opt for a Soylent Green-type ending just to make the sci-fi fans

squee one more time??

If he did; what would be his video/music??

[The Backlash Cometh]

5. Seventy!

Geez! I remember when I had a crush on him when he was 55! How time flies.

[PatSeg]

27. Same here

Stewart made bald sexy as hell. I guess its inevitable that if I grow older, he does as well.

[MrMickeysMom]

6. Make it so...

I've got to tell you there should be an understanding about death with dignity.

I would have welcomed having my mother's death be more that way. It would have been her 97th birthday today, and I think about these things more as the years in my chosen profession have brought me to witness other deaths that we less than dignified.

We don't know how to die well, either, you see.

[jimlup]

7. +1

My thoughts exactly.

[handmade34]

8. yes, make it so...

we have not yet learned to live well and therefore cannot even begin to fathom dying with dignity... I was with my husband (and later, stepfather) at the time of passing and it was a great honor to hold his hand and quietly experience the energy fading... they both chose not to be kept alive unnecesarily... now we need to allow people to go the step further and consciously end their life if and when they no longer need or want to live...

...so sorry about your mother

[BlancheSplanchnik]

19. +1

Oh I love Patrick Stewart, alwys have! OF course, he'd be the one to bring up this subject. It's so important, and NO ONE'S talking about a better way.



sigh...

This subject has been on my mind a lot lately... just feeling .... well, don't want to tell the story, I just get myself worrying and then I'm off to the races!! So, enough to say I've been feeling overwhelmed right now with life stuff, change,... and awareness of mortality.....

just lots of stuff. (Certainly fits in with the astrological energy I'm reading about from Ric and the rest of you guys.)

And I've thought too about HOW one can start now to create a dignified death.....

but, most of all, having some guarantee that we won't be forced to endure great pain would be such a relief.


Ugh, I hate talking about it because it can get scary....... :(

Usually, any talk in our society about Death that is meant to be reassuring only ever focuses on The Afterlife. But we don't talk about the really important thing: how we can make the TRANSITION as comforting as possible? What kinds of causes could we make that will point us in that direction (for ourself and for society)?

[ddeclue]

10. Make it so Dr. Crusher..

[harmonicon]

48. damn... "Make it so." was going to be my response. nt.

[MrMickeysMom]

69. A true fan, you are...

:-)

[arcane1]

9. I was randomly thinking about this topic a couple of days ago

And I agree wholeheartedly.

[athenasatanjesus]

11. I'm sure he'd want death by Phaser,and not a Romulan disruptor.nt

[flamingdem]

12. I love the word "ghastly", so British nt

[Duer 157099]

13. But that would be taking control away from God

and the fundies will never allow their God to be dissed that way.

Fucking sad.

[Annata4Peace]

22. Perhaps the point to be made is

that if god gave us free-will that includes the ability to choose how and when we die.

[Delphinus]

58. Ooh,

good thought.

Welcome to DU! :hi:

[tavalon]

65. That only works with people willing to think things through

I have always been a thinker so when I started asking questions in my southern Baptist church, I was told I needed faith and as well, to shut up. I left when I became of age.

[handmade34]

68. bingo!!! n/t

[LongTomH]

37. I've talked to some devout Christians who say they want that option!

That includes one in my family!

[inna]

14. i don't know, who wouldn't. kr

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

15. Now I have an excuse to use this:

[Motown_Johnny]

16. insert kobayashi maru joke here

_________________________________________

[Forkboy]

17. Hell, I usually don't even feel like waiting for my "time" to come.

I admire his patience. :)

[ProfessionalLeftist]

18. Good for him! So do I. n/t

[ReggieVeggie]

20. kick

[Reader Rabbit]

21. He may need to move to Oregon:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oregon_Death_with_Dignity_Act

[classof56]

61. Thank you for posting this. I voted for the Assisted Suicide Law

(aka Death with Dignity) twice, I believe it was. We Oregonians are pretty independent and a lot of us don't take kindly to interference in our end of life decisions. Interestingly enough, this law is not used frequently but it is structured in a way that makes certain the person opting to use it is fully aware of what he/she is choosing, and no one else is exerting undue pressure in the process. A medical provider is involved as well. The opposition to the measures included a lot of "it'll be used to send grandpa and grandma down the pike so we can get our hands on their money" rhetoric. From what I know, that has proved not to be the case at all.

Peace and blessings to Sir Patrick for speaking out on this sensitive topic.

[Reader Rabbit]

71. Have you seen the documentary "How to Die in Oregon"?

I've heard it's really good. I live in Portland now, and my mom is considering moving up here, too. She'll be turning 70 this year, and the Death with Dignity law is one of the main reasons.

[classof56]

72. I had not heard about it, so thanks for the info.

I note there's a free (registration required) showing of this Sundance Award-winning film on May 11 at the Convention Center in Portland. I live east of the Cascades so won't make that, but hope it will be shown over this way at some time.

Glad your mom is considering moving here, and I strongly encourage her and you for that matter to complete an Oregon Advance Directive (form can be downloaded online), so that your wishes regarding health care will be documented and legal. I was glad to have those when my parents passed away. Hospitals will ask if a patient has an advanced directive when admitted for a medical procedure. Also recommend a power of attorney for health care. I believe if these two documents were not available, the state could step in and make decisions about end of life care.

Best wishes to you and your mom, and welcome to Oregon!

Peace

[BrendaBrick]

73. Thanks for the wiki link...

...I hadn't realized that it was legal anywhere in this country! Hopefully more states will start to pass something similar. Good info! (Too late to recommend)

[Arkansas Granny]

23. I've often wondered at the logic that denies humans an easy exit from this world.

This is something that we do for our pets as an act of kindness.

[WatsonT]

24. When someone keeps a dog alive in pain

we call it selfish cruelty. Even though the dog can't consent to die.

When we keep people who want to die alive in pain it's called compassion.

We treat animals better than people in some ways.

[LynneSin]

25. I feel the same way about pets

Our pets are some of the most fiercely loyal creatures in the world. They will tolerate a great deal of pain just to be with their owner. But to me I think that's a bit cruel.

[AtheistCrusader]

26. After watching almost 10 years of a TV show and some movies, you feel you 'know' someone..

I get the feeling a Biography of Stewart would be really interesting, well outside the Star Trek stuff.


+1 on choosing how to meet your death. Plan early, live well.
Younger generations need to think on this as well, help you appreciate and enjoy your years while you still have them.

[PatSeg]

28. I've seen a biography of Stewart

on the Bio Channel a couple years and it was very interesting. He is an extraordinary and versatile actor. He is the reason I became hooked on Star Trek: The Next Generation.

[AtheistCrusader]

29. I used to wonder why he did broadway and other live performances.

I mean, after all, hey, you have Star Trek right?

Now that I'm in my 30's, I start to understand, there's paying the bills, and there's enjoying your craft. All too often, they are different things.

[PatSeg]

31. Yes, he clearly loves what he does

and Star Trek gave him the opportunity to do more of it. So many Star Trek actors don't do much of anything other than conventions after Star Trek. Stewart is fortunate that he has a more diverse background, not to mention more talent (in my opinion anyway).

I'm in the midst of a NG marathon the past few weeks. I am such a geek!

[Forkboy]

36. Here's an awesome video he did for Amnesty International.

He talks about some of his experiences growing up. Not happy stuff, but the man he's become because of it is impressive.

On edit - The link would actually help lol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPzVUGE3dds

[AtheistCrusader]

38. Tease!

Maybe I can find it...

[Forkboy]

40. Sorry, added the link.

Brain cramp earlier. :)

[femrap]

42. Thanks for the link...

What an aware and kind man...rejuvenates a bit of hope in me.

[Forkboy]

47. That self awareness seems to be the key in breaking these cycles.

A lot of people don't recognize the patterns that they fall into because that's all they grew up knowing. I know a woman in an abusive relationship, and her son is becoming the same as the father. He sees that it's "ok" to be like this. Unless he has that self-recognition and awareness, something damn hard at any age, let alone as a teenager, I see him following in his father's footsteps.

For me, my mother was an alcoholic, and when I drink I'm constantly aware of the possibility that if I'm not careful I could fall into that same trap. I don't drink too often, maybe three or four times a month, but when I do I'm always aware of why I'm drinking that night. If I wake up and I'm feeling depressed and I don't want to face the day, I know that if I drink it would just be to escape, and I won't drink in that case. When I wake up and I have 5 songs in my head, and I just want to jam out with a bit of buzz for an evening, that's when I'll partake. I consider myself very lucky that I was aware of this by the time I was 20, because I was drinking a LOT up to that point. When I did become aware of this I actually stopped drinking entirely for years. I went from partying and drinking almost every night to nothing, just because I suddenly saw the pattern repeating in me.

I think a great thing to do, and there's some of this to an extent already, would be to get a lot more schools involved in talking about these issues (as if the schools aren't under enough pressure, I know). I see many schools have Gay/Straight Alliance groups, and something like that could be done for domestic abuse, just like Stewart talks about. And not just domestic abuse, but violence towards woman in any damn place. It's just not acceptable. We have to reach those closest to falling into those same habits before it becomes a destructive reality, and the early high school years would be a great time to do it.

[AtheistCrusader]

54. I have an incredible temper.

I can't even really describe it. 'Off the charts' is about the best I can do.

But I have mastered it. I haven't hit another person, unprovoked since the 6th grade. And I haven't reacted rashly when provoked several times since. It's always there, but I keep it locked where it belongs. Harmless to everyone but me, and I'm big enough to take it.

My dad was somewhat less of a monster than Stewart's, as he only hit my mom twice. (Broke some of her teeth once) I learned a lot from my dad, and it will take an entire lifetime of vigilance to un-learn it.

Starting with my kid. I don't even spank him. There are better ways.


The cycle ends here, with me.

[Forkboy]

55. That's great to hear.

Your son won't be dealing with some of the things you have to. It's great that you saw that and stopped it. :thumbsup:

[marew]

30. Completely agree! n/t

[TlalocW]

32. Insert inappropriate cartoon here

I think the only reason that the artist didn't use Wesley Crusher was because he had met Wil Wheaton at a comic convention shortly after he had written a storyline where Wil's right arm was torn off by insane anime-loving catgirls.

[Sabriel]

63. It couldn't have happened to a nicer minor character.

Broccoli was not one of my favorites, although he was slightly more interesting in ST:VOY.

[and-justice-for-all]

33. How some one chooses to die is a private decision...

like choosing to have an abortion.

[MindPilot]

34. Changing your parent's diapers is a life-altering experience.

I deeply regret that I could not offer my father the same level of dignity I could give my dog. :cry:

When I reach the point that I need help with basic personal activities, it's time to go.

[pinkkillersheep]

35. After watching my aunt die a slow and agonizingly painful death from AIDS...

I have to say, it really shook up my views on assisted suicide. I was never hardcore to either side, but it put a face to the issue.

Some background: At Thanksgiving one year, my aunt was acting strange. We thought that she had just had a little too much to drink (my family responsibly appreciates alcohol, so it happens from time to time and no one thinks much of it). By Christmas, we knew she was sick. The kids were told it was MS, I'm not sure if the adults knew the truth yet. By Easter she was gone.

As quick as it was, her last few weeks felt so long. She literally withered away to skin and bones. At the end, she couldn't talk anymore. They pumped her full of antibiotics that gave her one last time to talk to us. I'll never forget the last couple things she said. She told my younger sister not to cry for her, and said that she hopes we never end up in a hospital like her.

Listening to people defend the idea of a "natural death" makes me think of my aunt, and wonder if they have ever watched someone die that way.

[bertman]

39. REC. nt

[femrap]

41. Thank you for posting...

This topic deserves consideration. If Big 'Health' is going to make big bucks off our suffering and eventual death, then I say, 'Fuck them.'

I want what little money I have left to go to GOOD CAUSES, not some damn FOR PROFIT HOSPITAL.

I just witnessed what they did to my Aunt of 81 years old. It was awful. AWFUL.

If the United States won't adopt a Single-Payer System, then I'm not going to play their damn game.

We don't put our dear pets through all of this suffering. I put down my dear cat last year....and he went peacefully.

Fuck these greedy Agents of Death. Besides, our quality of Life in this nation has declined so much, who wants to stick around and be tormented?

[Michigan-Arizona]

43. Dr. Kevorkian

A woman my 2 daughter's knew begged her son for month's to call Dr. Kevorkian & finally he did as she wished. She was 81 & in so much pain.

[Hoyt]

50. I hope someday that Dr. K is viewed a pioneer that led to acceptance/legalization of Euthanasia.

It is an option many of us will wish we had someday. While doctors can help sometimes, it needs to be legalized so that the dying and their families don't have to beg for help. There is no reason we should have to read the stories many of the posters above painfully relayed. I've been through it too many times with family. Hospice care is helpful, but it would be even better to have the option to die with dignity and avoiding what is often long periods of suffering by family members.

[Deep13]

44. Rec for dying without agony and on ones own terms.

I'm not going to use term "death with dignity" because there is no dignity in death. There's precious little in life.

[madmax]

49. +10

[tavalon]

66. Having been at many bedsides where death happened with great dignity,

I think it's a good term, but dying without agony is a much better framing.

[handmade34]

70. I disagree

I have witnessed "dignity" of person, at the time of passing... and there are a few people in this society who exhibit dignity in life... just wish it were more common

[DesertFlower]

45. i want that choice too. hubby and i are

members of "compassion and choices" formerly "the hemlock society".

[BrendaBrick]

74. I just looked up Compassion and Choices...

and have added the site to my favorites. Thanks. FYI (for anyone else):

https://www.compassionandchoices.org/sslpage.aspx

[RedCloud]

46. Please run a full level diagnostic on our captain, Doctor Crusher and Mr. Data!

[nolabear]

51. Me too, Mr. Stewart. Me too.

How anyone can presume to take that away from us is beyond me.

[thanks_imjustlurking]

52. So do I. nt

[Travelman]

53. You have to admit it would be a little strange

being the one who helps him go, and at that critical moment, he says "engage."




/my very strange and dark sense of humor

[Prophet 451]

56. Don't worry, I thought that too. n/t

[Meldread]

57. I never understood...

...why people would be against this. I can understand outside intervention when there are mental problems involved, such as depression. If the person were better and in their right mind, they'd never choose death, and thus you're saving them from making a dangerous and costly mistake. Something that were they to live that they'd regret.

However, if you're diagnosed with terminal cancer, and you have three months left to live... and you know that in the end you're going to be suffering, why not elect for a humane way to die with some dignity on your own terms? So long as its THEIR choice, and they're going to be suffering anyway... why not?

I've always put it this way: Why is it that a dog is treated with more humanity than a human when it comes to end of life suffering? If a dog is at deaths door, and is dying we euthanize him - not because we want him to die - but because we don't want him to suffer unnecessarily. Yet, when it comes to me I could be on deaths door and suffering equally bad or worse, and you're going to keep me alive... for what reason?

[Corruption Winz]

59. Forget "assisted" suicide..

If someone wants the option of "assisting" themselves and blowing their own brains out, that should be their choice.

[RoccoR5955]

60. I also want the same thing.

I have no family, and few friends. When I want to die, I want to die on my time, and not be kept alive to be a burden to someone.

[stuntcat]

62. me too!

No one should have to spend months, and thousands of dollars, wasting away helpless in hospital beds. It is a pathetic way to end a great life. Freedom should mean we can choose to end our lives with some dignity.

[guitar man]

64. Me too, Jean Luc, me too

I don't want to hang around terminally ill for a long time either.

And to think, he's got some cool options, he can have Dr Crusher shut off his cardiac replacement, or, he can just beam himself into space :P

[ReggieVeggie]

67. kick

[fascisthunter]

75. Euthanasia