JOAN: Recently I read the End of Life Choice Bill proposed by David Seymour. Submissions of one's views could be sent to Parliament before March 6. I found it to be compassionate, clear and full of safeguards against any misuse.
I need to honestly state where I stand with regard to euthanasia. My mother died a long, slow and painful death in Sunderland Hospital, England. I was 25 and pregnant with my second child. My mother was 57 and my father insisted that she not be told that she was dying, although I knew that she knew. Hours before she died, I sat beside her bed, watching her crawl around it, moaning with pain and neither a nurse nor doctor coming near us. I didn't have time to grieve for the person whom I most loved as I had two children by then and a teaching job. My deep feeling of loss eased with time but her undignified death still haunts me.
My daughter and husband came back from the UK expecting Cassandra Jane, our first grandchild. Due to medical misadventure during birthing and greatly regretted by the doctors involved, Cassie lived for only four days.
After a time of grieving and mentally challenging these happenings, I decided to become a volunteer at Hospice Whanganui, soon to be situated on Anzac Pde. I cannot tell you what a privilege this has been for me. The care, compassion and tender love shown to those in their care allow me to say that all those who have worked there and those who still do, have taught me everything that I know about selflessness, wisdom and the ability to celebrate life. Nurses, doctors, chaplains, office staff and volunteers ease physical and emotional pain, calm fear, support families and friends and maintain the dignity of those who spend gentle time there, for rest, medical changes and, of course, life's end. I love this place. In spite of what one might think, this is a place of laughter, beauty and calm.
So, indeed, my wish is that there be more Hospices in New Zealand and across the world, and I am unable to understand why the Government offers only 48 per cent of the money required to run them.
However, I know and many others admit or should admit to knowing that we humans do not have all the answers. There are those who do not receive this care, or for whom palliative care does not bring about the death required. I cannot believe that a loving God has alone the right to give and take away life. We are not meant to suffer to be better people. I am mostly confused that it is legal for a doctor to accept and act upon a dying person's request to stop being fed or hydrated or to not receive further medical care or indeed to receive a dose to bring about death — a speedier death? — yet cannot, along with any other caring friend or family member, legally offer an end to living as chosen by any one of us.
