Paper Man

by Peter Wood, Jo Cartwright (Editor)

The latest developments in the arguments for and against assisted dying, with a foreword by Terry Pratchett Assisted dying is perhaps one of the most divisive issues of the modern age, generating endless headlines and moral debates. Published in conjunction with the organization Dignity in Dying, this important book provides a forum for expert commentators in a variety of fields, including religion and medicine, to explore whether the most humane response to the torment and helplessness of certain severely incapacitated individuals is to assist them in their wish to die. This collection is edited by two proponents of greater choice at the end of life, and all the contributors support the need to change the law. Starting from a position that the current legal situation is untenable, detailed case studies shed light on the negative consequences of the current state of the law which forbids assisted dying, and the lack of choices offered to dying people who are suffering intolerably at the moment. The book's case studies punctuate chapters, written by a variety of authors, about different aspects of the these chapters attempt to address the concerns raised by the case studies.

Genres: Medical

288 pages, Paperback

First published February 12, 2014

About the author

Peter Wood was born in Salisbury, Rhodesia in 1962. He grew up on a farm called M’sitwe in the Lomagundi area of the country, near Umvukwes, spending the best part of his childhood running barefoot through the untamed bushveld with his brother and sister Duncan and Mandy. It was a wild part of the world and the children were often gone from dusk to dawn, exploring the 13,000-acre property, climbing rocky kopjes, exploring caves and camping along the rivers. Despite a civil war that ravaged the land until the end of white rule in 1980, these were salad days and many of Peter’s and his family’s adventures are described in Mud Between Your Toes.

Peter went to Umvukwes Junior School and then Prince Edward High School in Salisbury (now Harare). After completing oneyear in the Rhodesian Light Infantry he left the country of his birth and moved to London, then on to Hong Kong where he now lives.
He has been granted Chinese nationality and a Hong Kongpassport, but still considers himself African to the core.

Reviews

[Flapper72 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Six Stars. OK, OK, it's no secret that I'm a massive supporter of autonomy, choice and dignity and thus support assisted dying and the need to change the law in the UK. This book is written by people who, similarly, support assisted dying. It brought me to tears. First hand experience - what it was really like for a family whose loved one chose have control of his own death so was forced to travel to Switzerland. Wouldn't let his family go with him incase they were arrested on their return to the country so waving him goodbye at the front door of their family and then having him struggle. Right wheelchairs, access to plane etc etc. Another family who had to pay for an ambulance to transport their Dad to Switzerland due to him being oxygen dependent. A man who cried when he was told he still had a week to live as he couldn't bare the pain any longer. A mother who nursed her husband and then three sons as they died from Hungtington's Chorea and their different experiences and thus choices. Families whose loved ones tried to commit suicide...Then the history of Assisted Dying - George V was killed by his physician as Queen Mary begged him to do so due to suffering. The doctor was fine - it was the duality of the pain killer that he needed for his symptoms even though it would kill him. So the law was OK? Right? If a doctor wants to end a patient's life because the doctor feels it's unbearable then that's fine - no need to discuss the patient or ask for their permission or consent - yet if a patient asks for the doctor to terminate their life as the patient thinks it's unbearable - well, that's illegal. Nonsense. Chapters from people who worked and work in healthcare also made compelling, balanced arguments. And guess what group of people really seem to be rather vocal in the arguments? White, middle class christians. The sanctity of life right? God knows best? Well, if they do (the god that is) we shouldn't be helping people with any of their symptoms of disease processes that god has dictated they have. Nonsense. Choice and dignity from birth to death. It's not hard to understand surely?

[Helen Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good combination of personals experiences and viewpoints, professional and legal standpoints. Had me in tears more than once.

Good to understand some of the bigger issues and why this issue should be up for more discussion.