Depressing news of the day

[ishtar79]

Terry Pratchett ready to be test case for suicide law

This is too depressing to contemplate. Not the assisted suicide part-I support people's right to end their life with dignity, and on their own terms. I guess I still refuse to process the fact that this brilliant, creative, unique mind is plagued by Alzheimer's.

It's Terry fucking Prachett!

Comments

[nuvolanera.livejournal.com]

I had no idea he was sick with Alzheimer, it's quite a shock finding out about it!

[ishtar79.livejournal.com]

Oh crap, I'm sorry! I thought it was common knowledge in the lj circles.

[nuvolanera.livejournal.com]

Don't worry! I mean, it's my fault, I should keep more updated with everything, really, instead of just sticking with my current obsessions... And I'm incredibly sorry for him and all his family members :(

[aegflota.livejournal.com]

Alzheimer's is pretty depressing whether the person suffering from it is an awesome author, or just your average nobody.

I'm glad Kay Gilderdale was acquitted, though.

[ishtar79.livejournal.com]

Oh, absolutely. But in terms of me being upset over a complete stranger being afflicted, the famous author bit is what makes it painful.

[aegflota.livejournal.com]

Don't mind me. I just get a bit pre-emptively angry about the whole 'it must be so awful for him because he's such a genius' attitude I've seen floating around the intertubes (not from you, btw).

Will sit on hands now and not go into full-fledged rant.

[kryptyd.livejournal.com]

It's such a difficult issue. I do support people who help their suffering relatives to die, however I'm scared that if the law was ever changed to reflect that then too many people would get rid of "inconvenient" family members, either because the couldn't be bothered dealing with them any more or they wanted to get their hands on their money or houses or whatever. I don't even know what to think. Obviously I don't want that scenario to happen, but I also think it's a disgrace that that poor woman who assisted her sick son's suicide is now doing jail time. Sigh.

[ishtar79.livejournal.com]

I think any legislation would need to have strict, clear safeguards to prevent the kind of situation you're describing.

Still, I'm for it.

[aegflota.livejournal.com]

I also think it's a disgrace that that poor woman who assisted her sick son's suicide is now doing jail time.

Are you referring to Frances Inglis, or to someone else?

If you're referring to Frances Inglis, she definitely did not assist her sick son's suicide. She made the decision for him and he had no input in the matter. I certainly don't think it's a disgrace that she's in prison. Kay Gilderdale, on the other han,d did assist her daughter's suicide (after her daughter Lynn made it clear what she wanted) and was subsequently acquitted--which I'm very relieved about.

[embers-log.livejournal.com]

I got to see Terry Pratchett (a lot) at the Discworld convention last September, and I know he won't be in a hurry to exercise suicide rights (if he gets them). He is doing very well now, is creative and happy.... But he is terrified of Alzheimers (it is terrifying, I've seen a lot of brilliant people reduced by this) and I can understand his wanting to have some say in how long his life lasts.

He was pretty darned thrilled to become Sir Terry!

[ishtar79.livejournal.com]

I understand his wishes completely-I'd do the same in his shoes, and my mind is nothing to write home about.

Glad to know he's still doing well.

[embers-log.livejournal.com]

Yeah I think, when he was first diagnosed (about 2-3 years ago), he thought he would be going straight down hill and would never write again... Instead he is getting the best medical care (including improving his diet and exercise) and feels better than he has in years... He has special voice recognition softwear (because when he was first diagnosed he was typing gibberish, he isn't doing that now... but this is for the future...) which has been specially programmed to recognize the names of every character and place name in all of his past novels! So he is now able to see himself continuing to write for many years.

I love TP and his books so much!

[ninamalfoy]

:(

Understandable, though. For a brilliant mind it must be simply awful to know that you've got Alzheimer's. *sighs*

[ishtar79.livejournal.com]

Yes, understandable. It's not his desire for euthanasia that makes me sad, it's the Alzheimer's.

[jollityfarm.livejournal.com]

I don't want him to die, but I'm glad he feels able to think about this and make decisions about his own condition. Too many people won't let the ill speak for themselves (so him being a famous author helps there)

[ishtar79.livejournal.com]

That's a good point. I can only hope Terry speaking out raises some awareness.