The feeling of being, in the way, expected to have someone help me commit suicide, pervades my life

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

No assisted suicide.

The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition received the following message from Marie M, who is one of our supporters. Marie has lived most of her life in Canada but was born in the UK. She wanted UK politicians who are debating a bill to legalize assisted suicide to read her message:

"You've no idea what it is like for us who are older and have, or even haven't, health issues. I'm in my 70s and have a number of health issues. When I seek help I have the feeling that our health system, which is poor, might expect me to give "my place" to someone healthier and younger, thus taking my place out of the running for healthcare by my deciding to commit suicide; that's what I feel constantly as I walk around, realizing that I might be regarded as being "too old." When I see a doctor or have a doctor attend me or go for a test or surgery in a hospital, it's really on my mind."

This expectation for a patient to be euthanized or medically assisted to commit suicide is already happening among some healthcare workers; this opens the gates to having euthanasia/assisted suicide thrust upon any of us. This is what approving it in a country can do to an ordinary person. This feeling of being, in the way, expected to commit suicide or have someone help me to, pervades my life.

Assisted suicide is now called MAiD, a term I refuse to use; it's a euphemism for "someone helping you to commit suicide." That is what I call it.

I was born in the UK and just about all of my relatives live there, so I have visited the UK quite often."

Thank you Marie

• Canadian physician sends Open Letter to the House of Lords (UK) (Link). 
• A lawyer witnessed coercive end-of-life conversation (Link).