A
person in England who is terminally ill, last weekend flew to
Switzerland to assess the work of DIGNITAS, the choice in dying
organization which carries out assisted suicide for residents
and foreigners alike. Physician and non-physician suicide have
been lawful in Switzerland for 60 years, but only now is this
widely known. Here is the visitor's own report. ERGO knows his
name and address but withholds it for privacy reasons. (26 June,
2003)
QUOTE:
"We had a very useful visit to DIGNITAS.
"Herr Minelli is an intelligent, thoughtful man, well organised.
He made reservations for us at a convenient hotel near the main
train station at a good reduction in price. He provided complete
details by email on how to take a tram to his home /office out
in the countryside and met us and saw us off again. The whole
thing was thorough, friendly and informal. We sat in his living
room talking and around the dining room table.
"We must have talked with him over 40 minutes about various
questions, which was especially helpful to my Liz. She's had
reservations about the legal side of things, since Reginald
Crew's wife was investigated by the police here [UK] whether
she had "assisted" him. He was helpful to Liz about that issue:
nothing came of it and no British patient's family has had any
problem here since. I had wondered too in an email to you whether
the publicity about Reg had helped or hindered the euthanasia
cause.
"Interestingly, Minelli said Crew told a British newspaper he
was going to DIGNITAS before he had even contacted Minelli!
(And there's no question that TV and newspaper coverage about
Reg's death has raised public consciousness here.) Five hundred
from Britain have joined DIGNITAS so far this year.
"You asked me if it customary for people to come twice to DIGNITAS:
once for the doctor's interview and prescription and again for
the "accompaniment". Minelli said that several have chosen this
arrangement and it is DIGNITAS' preferred way. One of the criticisms
has been the haste of the process otherwise. People fly in early
in the morning. By nine or ten they see the doctor, the prescription
is filled and they go to the flat at one for the anti-nausea
medication, etc.
"This way Minelli said everyone is not rushed and it gives people
time to think through what is best for them. He said some people
feel enormous relief that the parachute is there, whether they
use it or not.
"Dr. Naegeli came along and gave us a good hour. DIGNITAS has
two doctors they use. Dr. Naegeli is retired, the other is a
university professor. Dr. Naegeli's also a thoughtful and intelligent
man. He went over the history of my illness and was familiar
with the documents already sent. He was very helpful about the
prognosis. Liver cancer is "easy" -- you get sleepier and sleepier.
My real problem is the colon tumour and Dr. Naegeli talked to
us about how diet may help or hinder.
"I've drawn the line for me when I'm getting blocked, which
can happen quite quickly. This way I can go over on a day or
two's notice; my prescription is already filled and waiting.
"Minelli clarified the legal/financial matter of the cremation.
I had understood the family had to stay on an extra day and
take documents and fees to Zurich city hall to register the
death and order cremation. No. You provide the required papers
and the cash (about 2,000 CHF). Minelli registers the death
and orders the cremation for you. Afterwards the city will send
the ashes wherever you indicate and three official death certificates
come in about 10 days.
"So we both feel reassured. [And I still have a small insurance
policy: my helium tank, my copy of 'Final Exit' and LR bag under
the bed in the unlikely case I can't get to Zurich again.]
"Hope this helps. And you're enjoying life today, as we are."
UNQUOTE
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