Release the Butterfly Mr Chairman, ladies and gentlemen, What is your greatest fear? Heights? snakes? death? Can you imagine anything worse? I believe the only thing worse than death is a life of suffering. This is why in America life imprisonment is more popular than capital punishment – it has been said that “perpetual life in imprisonment is a fate worse than death.” For these people their only remaining purpose is to die. What an empty existence. Yet, even for prisoners, they can still enjoy a cigarette, go to the gym, and help themselves to whatever food or drink is available. Imagine if you couldn´t even enjoy these luxuries? If all you saw before you was the remainder of a lifeless corpse, a prisoner in your own body; trapped, dependent and with no dignity. If life in prison is worse than death, what must life in these conditions be like? It is for these reasons I support euthanasia. Of course there are many for and against this argument. There are those who disagree people should have the right to take their own lives. Whereas there are those who see euthanasia as a way of breaking from the shell and becoming free. Critics may say: “A freedom that ends life is no freedom at all”. However: “A life that ends freedom isn´t a life either”. Let´s now consider a more personal perspective. Alex lay there, staring out his window when Joe walked in. As his solicitor Joe wants to learn about Alex in order to create a strong case for why he wants euthanasia, for when they go to court. Joe sat down on a chair next to Alex´s bed and said “I have some good news – the court hearing will take place in three months. In the meantime I want to prepare a character report. I want to show them you are of sound mind and to also know a bit about your history so that they can make a more informed decision. Would you mind if I ask you some questions?” “Sure, go ahead.” said Alex. Joe pulled out his notepad and pen, and asked Alex “Tell me a bit about yourself, before the accident.” Alex began to reminisce. “By the age of 20 I had travelled around the world. Yes, I´ve always said, if you want to travel the world work on a ship. I was a ship mechanic. I felt at home out there, the gentle lull over the waves, the taste of the sea salt, and the smell of fresh air. It´s not like in a city, when you are on a boat in the middle of the ocean, we can view out to the natural vistas; the glistening sea, open air and blue sky. Ah.. freedom.” “I can see you have a passion for the seas” Joe responded. Alex looked out the window. “Yes it was what gave me my life. But it was what also took my life away.” “What happened?” asked Joe. “I was at the beach and I climbed up some rocks at the edge of the shore… I mustn´t have looked properly.” Alex replied. “What do you mean?” inquired Joe. “Well, the next thing I knew, I was in the middle of the air, diving into shallow water.” ”It left me paralysed from the neck down. Since that day it feels like an eternity has passed.” answered Alex. “Why do you want to die?” Joe questioned. “At less than six feet away, what is six feet; an insignificant journey for any human being. Well those six feet necessary to reach you, never mind touch you, is an impossible journey for me. It´s a false hope, a dream, that´s why.” Alex concluded. “Could I ask you one last thing? Would you give me your account for euthanasia?” Joe requested. Alex agreed. “Initially I refused to give in to this inertia, we are creatures of hope, we persevere and we endure suffering. But once hope runs out, what are we left with? My dignity was stripped away from me the day when the relatives who I used to care for, became my carers. I´m still the same person inside, but now spend every waking moment haunted by the shame and humiliation of being completely dependent on others. Freedom, that which I held so close to my heart, destroyed, as soon as my head broke the water. Since that fateful event I have remained trapped. Everything I ever had and I aspired to, became a distant memory. My dearest drifted away, and the only companion that remained, was time. I long for freedom, I dream of escaping, to break from this flesh cocoon, and soar free once more. What does dignity mean to you? Whatever answer you find in your conscience, I want you to know that, for me, this is not living with dignity. I would like to, at least, die with dignity.” Alex and Joe presented their case to court and are now awaiting a verdict. What do you think would be a fair decision, should euthanasia be accepted? The fundamental question is, do you believe we have a right to live, or that life is obligatory? Mr Chairman, ladies and gentlemen, We live in a self-proclaimed secular country, one that believes in liberty and acknowledges private property. Our laws are founded upon this; more specifically they cover the right to not endure torture or degrading treatment. It´s only reasonable then, that someone who believes their condition is degrading should have the option to take their own life.
Posted on: Sat, 05 Jul 2014 11:06:03 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015