There's only two things that are certain in this life - death and taxes (and neither bring about warm, fuzzy feelings) - so if we can do something to alleviate the pain and complexity of it all, then why wouldn't we at least consider the options?
It's a long time debate that's recently been reopened in Quebec. Human euthanasia and/or assisted suicide are currently illegal in Canada but if some have their way, that will all change. While I don't believe this is a cut and dry, simple issue, I do wonder if there aren't some instances where this should be considered a viable option.
Last June, Roland Rouleau of Quebec waited until his wife left the house before firing an old hunting rifle twice into his stomach. It wasn't suicide, said Rouleau's partner, at subsequent public hearings held by a special committee on dying with dignity in Montreal.
"It was voluntary euthanasia because he could no longer stand the pain," his wife said. "He needed to find a way to act before becoming a complete prisoner of his body."
Rouleau's family members - 15 in total - made an emotional plea Tuesday for a change to the law so others in similar circumstances don't have to make anguished decisions about dying alone without being able to say goodbye.
"It's a testimony to his memory... something that he believed in," says his sister. "If he was still alive, he'd be here testifying himself."
Before he lost consciousness after pulling the trigger, Rouleau called 911 for an ambulance to spare his wife the discovery of his body. But what if he had been afforded the option of ending his suffering in a different way? A way where there didn't need to be a grisly body discovery?
The Rouleau family are suggesting a framework on assisted suicide and euthanasia that would include written demands from a patient and never a doctor. The option would be available only to those suffering from incurable and debilitating illnesses, supported by medical and psychological evaluations, and only after a long delay to rule out other solutions.
Like I said, this is definitely not a cut and dry issue and there is bound to be differences of opinion on such a sensitive topic, but putting myself in the shoes of somebody who is terminally ill and suffering (and having witnessed it first hand), this is certainly an option I think I'd be willing to explore.
