There was a great deal of media fuss in the run-up to this taboo-breaking documentary, which followed terminally ill Brit Peter Smedley, as he travelled to the Dignitas assisted suicide clinic in Switzerland to end his life. This, objectors argued, was voyeurism at its worst – and, as the opening credits rolled, we found ourselves wondering if we were really ready to watch another human being die.
Peter, a millionaire businessman in his early seventies, was suffering from motor neurone disease – “ a beastly, undignified business”, as he described it. Before he became completely incapacitated, he had chosen to end his life using the non-profit-making clinic’s £10,000 service.
Last year, just before Christmas, he and his incredibly glamorous wife Christine arrived at the Dignitas building on the outskirts of Zurich – not a log cabin nestling in the Alps, as you’d like to imagine it, but a quirky blue prefab on an industrial estate (Swiss law prevents Dignitas from operating in a residential area).
Two “escorts” were hand to assist – Erika, a white-haired maternal sort who provided tea and chocolate, and Horst who recorded proceedings on his digital camera. “Are you sure that you want to die today?” asked Erika. The answer was an unequivocal “Yes, I’m sure.”
Peter was a lovely, quiet, old-fashioned gentleman and the moment he passed away was incredibly difficult to watch. He kissed Christine goodbye, then turned to Pratchett and the film crew and said: “I’d like to thank everyone, you’ve all been first class.” He swallowed a small amount of clear liquid – “Be strong, my darling,” Christine urged – then gasped and asked for water. A moment later, he fell asleep for the last time.
Afterwards, a clearly emotional Pratchett left the room and went outside for some fresh air. In 2008, the much-loved novelist was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s and has considered taking his own life once the condition becomes too much for him to bear. “I want to enjoy life for as long as I can squeeze the juice out of it,” he said. “And then I’d like to die.”
Despite all the hoo-hah, this thought-provoking film wasn’t in the least bit ghoulish or gratuitous. Put simply, it was the most deeply affecting piece of TV we’ve ever seen.
LILY & ROSE
Here are some photos of Lily & Rose. There are a few from the first time we saw them when they were just 4 weeks old. They would fit on your hand at this age and didn't look much like westies!
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I spent a good year or so doing philosophy at college which included logic and ethics. One of the topics was of course voluntary euthanasia. I didn't see the Pratchett programme but I may iPlayer it. The reason being that I'm not keen to watch that sort of TV anymore. My views have changed since I was at college and seemingly invincible...its a long time ago now and my life experiences have swung me every which way. The rights of the individual (cf the rights of a mother re abortion) weighed against the rights of those upon whom those rights if exercised, will negatively impact etc. Also, dignitas was a much more loaded word when I was at school. I'm tired and uncomfortable and I shouldn't even have begun to witter on. Perhaps I should just watch the programme..
ReplyDeleteBy all means watch on iPlayer, but be prepared to be deeply moved.
ReplyDeleteActually I've been following Joey Barton on Twitter Joey7Barton instead. I could figure out an EXIT strategy for him (along with Nolan, Jose and Jonas)
ReplyDeleteI bet you could - and I would willingly help. He was actually one of my favourite players this season, but all this Twitter stuff is showing him in his true light. Hardly going to raise the profile of the club SHOULD there be anyone out there who's interested in joining.
ReplyDelete