Miscellaneous
#AssistedSuicide #Euthanasia #AssistedDeathSwitzerlandEuthanasia/ Assisted Suicide is the act of ending your life assisted by another person, usually a health professional. This is usually done through the act of taking medication prescribed by a qualified Doctor for the purpose to stop the patient suffering from terminal illness. Euthanasia is only legal in some countries and these laws tend to vary, in the UK Euthanasia is illegal and considered murder or manslaughter and carries the maximum penalty of life imprisonment, however, the act of ending your own life (suicide) is not considered illegal in the UK. Today Dr. Becky Spelman talks to Alex Pandolfo and Sara Starkey who both have different experiences with assisted suicide. Alex is 66 years old and was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease 6 years ago. Alex has made the huge decision to travel to Switzerland to end his life when he feels the time is right and to avoid major suffering from his terminal illness. Alex has been a longterm supporter of Euthanasia and believes for him it is the right decision to avoid suffering or pain. Sara Starkey travelled to Switzerland with her husband to end his life after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Sara discusses her husband's difficult decision- making process to end his life through assisted death. Sara is now a campaigner and supporter for Euthanasia, as she explains she has not had to watch someone she loves deteriorate or suffer in pain.