Assisted suicide your opinion?

[JamesMcM]

I have strong opinions towards the subject, and I realize people see that you shouldn't make rash decisions when the injury first happens, I disagree. Pre-injury I strongly expressed by never wanted to live as a physically or mentally disabled person, and I made a clear levelheaded and reasonable decision when I was laying in that field, I accepted the circumstances and knew from personal experience exactly what had happened to me and had a pretty good understanding of what I was in for and I didn't want to continue, in fact that was probably the clearest my mines ever been, one of the most peaceful moments of my life. But especially if you've gone one or two years, fully understand your physical capabilities, potential for recovery subsided, understand what you'll have to do every day to get yourself ready and stay healthy. Then there's no reasonable cause to say that's not a reasonable decision. If you're going to be happy with your life post injury you're going to know fairly soon, you're going to realize how much having caregivers, and doing the every day procedures bothers you or doesn't bother you and things like that. My opinion is that if you're miserable for five years and then all of a sudden things start to change it's just your mind trying to protect itself, that's where I see your ill rational thinking you get trapped in a cave for five years and don't bash your head in with a rock eventually you're going to become accustomed to that environment, after so much time seeing the light again could do more damage than good. and most people that have been kidnapped for long periods of time eventually begin to bond with their kidnapper I believe there is a mental condition for that kind of thing. But of course we wouldn't study something inevitable that crosses the new social standards for SCI.


I'm not saying there's not happiness after spinal cord injury, even if your C1, I've seen too many people say how happy they are to believe that. I've also seen many people completely desperate and miserable from two months post to 20+ years post, it just varies from person to person. For myself I've always disagreed with the give it five years, for The reason I stated above.


So that's my opinion on assisted suicide with spinal cord injury, obviously terminally ill is a different scenario, but in a lot of ways similar. Just a choice is all I'm saying. Obviously this is a very controversial subject, so I know many people will disagree with my opinions very strongly, and that's to be expected with subjects like this along with stem cells, homosexuality, religion, treatment of animals your name it. Just don't get offended, because that was the last thing I was trying to do.

[Donno]

-snip- My opinion is that if you're miserable for five years and then all of a sudden things start to change it's just your mind trying to protect itself, that's where I see your ill rational thinking you get trapped in a cave for five years and don't bash your head in with a rock eventually you're going to become accustomed to that environment, ... -snip-

This is exactly what some of us have been trying to tell you. If you get used to it and start enjoying life again (heaven forbid) why worry about how you got there? The end has justified the means, IMHO...

[Taanshi79]

My two cents...
Pre-injury it never even crossed my mind that I could be spending the rest of my life in a chair. Life was too good to think about things like that. Life was everything I wanted, life was great.
Then it ended. And once I realized what my new reality will be from now on. I wanted nothing of it. Couldn't even begin to imagine how to find sense in living like this. There was hopelessness, anger, frustration, I was the textbook miserable cripple that has given up. At that point had I'd been given the option I would have chosen to die.
Then one day during rehab, my work buddy and friend who basically had saved my life told me something along the lines of this. I got two choices, man up, deal with it and make the best of it. Or stay miserable. Though he didn't 'french kiss' me to choose the second. I was angry over his words, cause really as a AB what does he know about what my life is like. But once the anger passed I started to think about it. And basically it was true. Two choices. Life and a future on the one side, misery and a slow death on the other. And the realization came that I didn't want to just give up. Without a fight.
Now five years post injury most days I am glad I chose the way I did. Life sucks as a high level quad, no doubt about it. And I won't lie there are the rare days I would welcome the opportunity to end my life. But they are rare. Most days are ok. Some days are good. And a few precious days every now and then are great.
It's all about expectations, a healthy dose of optimism paired with realism and finding something that makes it all worth it.
Just my two cents.

[cyfskid]

As some1 who can't remember life pre injury. I agree but give this at least 5 years + (after reading about locked in patients enjoying life). I live in country(with socializist medical care) that will happily admit to the media to sending high injuries home without a vent(shakes head in disgust) if you don't want one.

[Oddity]

Only because you asked, James, my opinion is that this entire topic is uselessly pedantic. No one's opinion matters, much less the 100th, or so, time you've brought it up. It's your life. Live it, or end it. Entirely up to you. This horse is beyond dead. It's fossilized. Only because you asked, of course. Otherwise, I'd keep my opinion to myself, where it belongs. Along with my asshole.

[mr. dude]

if we were talking about a legislative thing, some waiting period is a must. maybe not five years, but i'd almost say at least one. i was unusually strong, almost indifferent in the beginning. being able to convince myself it shake it off somehow, i just needed some rest and a lot of intention. there were moments in there when i would have pressed the buttons, but not many. lately, when my life is actually pretty damned good, i think often of suicide. more like the result of putting so much into living and beginning to feel that there's a substantial return deficit and total emotional exhaustion. but i wouldn't want to ask anyone for help during one of the darker periods. if i were to make the decision i'd like it to be completely rational. but i couldn't speak for a higher level injury. even where i am it's very good that my mind enjoys itself enough to want to do things independently of the body. i think of prof. hawking who is locked in but i imagine always lived a great deal of his life in his head anyway, i don't think i could handle it or feel any kind of purpose to apply myself to. but i would still want whoever had the button to make me wait a little while and let the emotions die down, maybe not five years, but a while

[cyfskid]

i think of prof. hawking who is locked in but i imagine always lived a great deal of his life in his head anyway, i don't think i could handle it or feel any kind of purpose to apply myself to.

Prof Hawking is not locked in as he drives his chair with his hand and controls his computer with his cheek therefore has voluntary control of some muscles.

[Crappler]

James,
Why do you want us to tell you it's okay if you kill yourself? I wish you would stop that. Not because I'm tired of reading it (which I am), but because it's time you picked yourself up, man. We've been through this on numerous threads here, and Apparelyzed, so clearly we want you to pick up the pieces and get on with your life, otherwise we wouldn't reply.
I've said this to you before, but dead is dead, there's not other choice once that happens. Wouldn't you rather at least try to live with what you have?

[JamesMcM]

Haha man i'm not looking for your approval, that's funny though thanks for the laugh. No iam interested in hearing the perspectives of others injured people. In Canada one of the members of Parliament that support the assisted suicide is a I high quadriplegic which I find interesting cause a man with his level of injury to be in that position would take great amounts of effort so I would assume he would be fine with his life, and is not bothered by things that I am bothered about, but makes me wonder why he supports it right hear I'm saying? I merely gave my perspective, opinion and my reasoning for that. I was more interested to hear from other people, you guys don't have to direct what you're writing about me, I'm doing alright practice I hate this existence, but as Taanshi said I'm not going to give up without a fight, and for me sitting in a chair just making the best of a life I find dishonorable, and undignified for MYSELF without being able to do things I actually enjoy isn't fighting, that's just accepting something I don't want or agree with. So I'm going to try enroll in a clinical trial and I'm going to bust my ass harder than I ever have before, which is saying a lot. That's my flight, fighting to get what I want, not the life I lived in the past, but what I want for my future, recovery maybe one day I get back in the ring, and do everything on my own, and have the ability defend myself and what I care about basically be happy with my existence.

Much to your surprise I actually am "living" for the meantime. not hiding from shit, or locking myself away pouting Iam actually just heading to Niagara Falls shortly, beautiful hotel, hit the casino and the strip club. Please don't worry about me, if I fail get into a successful clinical trial follow that path, then im in a better place for myself. But I doing a lot. So please if you would would be so kind to give me opinion on just the topic of assisted suicide, if you wish. Do you agree with it, do you disagree with it, do you think it should be only for the terminally ill that are waiting to die either way, or should the severely disabled be a candidate as well etc. Of course as myself and some of you have done you can provide your reasoning or your personal history for why you feel that way.

[JamesMcM]

Prof Hawking is not locked in as he drives his chair with his hand and controls his computer with his cheek therefore has voluntary control of some muscles.

Wow that's locked in, at least to me that's right locked in. That's not even 10% of what the human body is supposed to be able to do. Don't get me wrong I know the mans a genius, and is elaborating on all of ensteins work among others. My thought on Stephen Hawking's is if he wasn't so badly disabled he would just be another extremely intelligent scientists, that we would never hear about unless he made his own theories. Which even still not many people would notice, still amazing these men take our species to the next level of technology and understanding, but you get what I'm saying.

[Crappler]

So please if you would would be so kind to give me opinion on just the topic of assisted suicide, if you wish. Do you agree with it, do you disagree with it, do you think it should be only for the terminally ill that are waiting to die either way, or should the severely disabled be a candidate as well etc. Of course as myself and some of you have done you can provide your reasoning or your personal history for why you feel that way.

Okay, I'd say I agree with it only if it's a decision made with loved ones as well, and not a solo decision. Ultimately, suicide effect the ones left behind, so I think they should have a say in it.

[Scaper1]

Okay, I'd say I agree with it only if it's a decision made with loved ones as well, and not a solo decision. Ultimately, suicide effect the ones left behind, so I think they should have a say in it.

I'm not so sure. If I asked any one of my loved ones "would you want to live like this?", they'd all say hell no. So why are we expected to?

[cyfskid]

Prof Hawking is not locked in as he drives his chair with his hand and controls his computer with his cheek therefore has voluntary control of some muscles.

Wow that's locked in, at least to me that's right locked in. That's not even 10% of what the human body is supposed to be able to do.

I was talking from a clinical and functional standpoint only

[Taanshi79]

First off I think I feel slightly offended James. Cause I think you degraded what I personaly call not giving up without a fight. Which is make the best of and find worth in what I was dealt. Acceptance of reality does not equal wanting it to be this way or giving up hope. What it means is trying to find contentment in the life I have.
Anyway, had to get that off my chest.
Assisted suicide, I kinda failed to express my opinion properly in my first post I think. I am honestly torn. In a way I am glad I simply don't have that option. I might not be around anymore had the option existed early on. As I said in my earlier reply there was a time I wouldn't have thought twice about ending it. And as much as it all sucks there are things that happened post injury that I wouldn't have want to miss. On the other hand I can think of scenarios that would put me right back to the point of wanting to end my life. And meaning it. And as I do not have the physical means to do it myself in that situation it would be comforting to have the option of having help to get it done. But that's where it kinda circles back to not having the option forces me to keep going and you never know what the future might bring and how life can go from complete hell to something that is made bearable by something/someone that brings you happiness.

[JamesMcM]

Okay, I'd say I agree with it only if it's a decision made with loved ones as well, and not a solo decision. Ultimately, suicide effect the ones left behind, so I think they should have a say in it.

Totally understand what you're saying, and obviously it would be if you were close with your family. But they shouldn't actually have any type of legal influence on the decision, one's life is just that their life. Just my opinion but again fully understand.