MPs to get vote on assisted dying

If you feel strongly about the bill that will be voted on on Friday - either for or against - do write to your MP. 

I think the bill is too complex (needing a judge) and too narrow (only people likely to die within 6 months, not intolerable suffering) but suspect it’s this one or nothing for the next decade those of us residing in England or Wales. Suspect I don’t have a decade with which to wait. 

I hope it would go through. It just gives us patients a way of control and choice for less suffering. The proposal is very narrow and tightly controlled. I can’t think how people can abuse this. 

Hi Coddfish, I doubt most politicians have any experience or idea of what living with an incurable disease really means, or the suffering many have to go through at the end, I have Emailed my MP, who true to form is sat on the fence. I don't watch TV,  but friends agree with you, it's over complicated and too narrow, but better than nothing, luckily there are things you can do now, for yourself, to give yourself a say in your treatment at the end, to lessen unnecessary suffering even if mentally your unable to communicate your wishes,

Eddie xx

Hi Stella, there are things that can be done now to help you when the time comes, if you want to know, just ask.

Eddie xx

I think my MP is going to vote in favour, but I got a standard reply obviously written before the details of the bill were known. 

Hi Coddfish, that's good to hear, I have never understood, why the right to die, isn't a human right, for the individual to choose for themselves when it's time, but those in charge can send our young people overseas to die in conflicts most of us don't agree with, Id better shut up now. 

Eddie xx

It is so hard, isn't it, trying to have an open and honest conversation with others, about assisted dying, without discussing morals, religious views, other life-limiting conditions.....even in this particular forum, which is full of people who have been told their cancer isn't curable. Surely we should be able to speak our minds, without upsetting people? Where else should we discuss it? But some posts get taken down by moderators. I can understand why, but it does irritate me!

We don't all have to agree with each other, but it is good to share our opinions.

Thanks Eddie!

Kate

Hi Candysmum and others in the discussion,

It’s Megan here from Macmillan’s Online Community team. I saw your post and wanted to share a link to our Community guidelines which has some information about the discussion around assisted dying.

In our guidelines we say:

“All mentions of intention to complete suicide, assisted suicide or self-harm will be removed from the site. Expressions of thoughts and feelings about these issues are allowed. If you are worried about another member of the Community, please contact a member of the Community team by emailing Community@macmillan.org.uk or click the ‘Flag’ button immediately.”

It does not breach our Community guidelines to discuss your feelings around assisted dying but for legal reasons we cannot allow Community members to express an intention to travel abroad for an assisted death, or to discuss anyone else’s intention as it is an illegal in the UK.

We appreciate that everyone is entitled to their opinions and views, however all we ask is that people talk respectfully in the forums and avoid confrontation.

I appreciate everyone’s honesty in what can be a difficult conversation. It’s positive that you feel comfortable discussing your feelings around end of life here on the Community.

I hope you understand why we have the above guideline in place and I hope this will not deter you from continuing to use the Online Community when you need peer support.

In case it’s helpful for any of you, you can find information from Macmillan about Advanced Care Planning here. We also have this information about relationships and other matters at end of life.

If you’d like to talk anything through or need emotional support, please remember that you can always contact our Support Line, available 7 days a week, 8am-8pm on freephone 0808 808 00 00, email or live webchat.

If you have any further queries about our guidelines, please contact us directly by emailing community@macmillan.org.uk to discuss.

Thanks Megan!

It's useful to know that there are clear guidelines for discussions about this on the forum.

xx Kate

Hi Puddock, I think we see things around end of life pretty much the same, and we both hope tomorrows bill is a positive step for many, if not most, on here, though a pro MP is going to stand up in parliament tomorrow, to ask for an amendment to the bill, that it be ratified by senior judges and/or medical experts, before MPs get to vote on it, who knows how long that will take, I'm glad my wishes have been put in my ReSPECT form, with my DNR and POA. Puddock, why not start a new thread, lots of people are talking about end of life at this time, PM me, or call me, I would be happy to help.

love Eddie xx