Katie Hopkins’ anti-dementia views may be nasty, but I agree with her on euthanasia

Katie Hopkins recently came under fire for her 'vile' anti-dementia comments, but her views on euthanasia, although inelegantly put, are worth talking about…

euthanasia

by Kayleigh Dray |
Published on

Katie Hopkins briefly touched on the idea of "the right to die" in the midst of her anti-dementia rant, bluntly stating: "If I get like that, for God's sake bang me over the head with a hammer."

Inelegantly put, true - but she has a point.

Nobody wants to live in endless agony, unable to communicate with the outside world, unable to fend for themselves, constantly relying on strangers to make them comfortable.

Everybody wants to be able to take control of their own life - and of their own destiny.

Which means that everyone, in short, would like the power of choice when it comes to dying.

Should we have the right to chose when we die?
Should we have the right to chose when we die?

Sir Terry Pratchett, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2008, made the emotional plea to take his own life, saying: "I live in hope I can jump before I am pushed."

And Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan, in a recent interview, said that they already have an assisted suicide pact in place.

Richard, 57, told the Daily Telegraph: "If Judy was really ill and in logical mind, and at that point where you just need a little push to go over the edge I wouldn't give a tuppenny f*** if there was a risk of being prosecuted.

"That is your job, that is your responsibility as a partner."

Richard and Judy have publicly stated that they support assisted suicide

And it is not just something that people consider as they get older; children are now making the difficult decision to die 'with dignity'.

In February 2014, an 11-year-old boy named Reece Puddington revealed that, after being diagnosed with terminal cancer, he too was opting to stop treatment and allow himself to slip away quietly.

He said: "I could opt for another trial, but this would mean travelling a lot to the hospital and coping with the side effects, but could also hopefully extend my life.

*"After careful consideration, my mum thought that if she was doing it for herself she would keep sending me for treatment as she wouldn't want to let me go, but if she was doing it for me she'd let me go. *

"Well, she's letting me go…"

Reece Puddington has chosen to die on his own terms - and was praised by many for his 'dignity'

I believe we should all be allowed to die on our terms.

At the moment, the only way form of legal euthanasia / assisted suicide available to British people is to either a) refuse treatment and deal with the repercussions or b) go to Dignitas in Switzerland, where you can drink a cocktail of toxins and die in the arms of your loved one.

But what about people too ill to travel? Or people who want to die in the comfort of their own home? What's their option?

Well, doing it yourself at home - but this is not legal and can put your loved ones at risk with the police. Is this fair?

A recent storyline in Coronation Street saw Hayley Cropper choose to end her life on her own terms

I'd like to make it perfectly clear that I do not agree with Katie Hopkins on the subject of the elderly. It is ridiculous to suggest old people are a "nuisance" and "not wanted" - and it's downright cruel to suggest that all they do is "get in the way" of their loved ones' lives.

To grow old is an achievement. To live is an adventure. And to spend time with the elderly, talking through their amazing lives and showing them the respect they deserve (after all, their generation got us the vote and more) is a treat we should enjoy when we can.

But to live in pain and suffering - well, that is a different matter. And, while euthanasia and assisted suicide is a divisive topic, it is one we all need to find time to talk about.

Do you agree? Have your say in the Comments Box below now.

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