He preferred suicide to a lingering death
Monday 13th June 2011, 2:29PM BST.
THE wife of the millionaire island resident who died at a Swiss suicide clinic has told the national newspapers his suicide was preferable to a lingering death from his illness.
- Christine Smedley pictured before she and her husband moved to Guernsey.
THE wife of the millionaire island resident who died at a Swiss suicide clinic has told the national newspapers his suicide was preferable to a lingering death from his illness.
Peter Smedley, 71, who had motor neurone disease, died in his wife’s arms at Dignitas clinic in Switzerland in December after drinking toxins.
His death was filmed for Panorama documentary Choosing to Die, which will be screened on BBC2 tonight.
Christine Smedley told the Daily Mail that she found her husband’s death very painful, but the former hotelier had decided he could not face a drawn-out death.
- Read the full story in the Guernsey Press. Click here for subscription details. Individual editions are now available online.
- Christine Smedley pictured before she and her husband moved to Guernsey.
THE wife of the millionaire island resident who died at a Swiss suicide clinic has told the national newspapers his suicide was preferable to a lingering death from his illness.
Peter Smedley, 71, who had motor neurone disease, died in his wife’s arms at Dignitas clinic in Switzerland in December after drinking toxins.
His death was filmed for Panorama documentary Choosing to Die, which will be screened on BBC2 tonight.
Christine Smedley told the Daily Mail that she found her husband’s death very painful, but the former hotelier had decided he could not face a drawn-out death.
‘He decided quite early once he had researched what motor neurone disease does to you,’ she said.
‘It is what he hoped to do, but you never know if you will have the courage to do it.
‘But by the time he got there, he very much felt he needed to go.’
Mrs Smedley, 60, added that her husband had agreed to have his death filmed – a first for national TV – because he felt strongly that the law should be changed to allow assisted suicides in the UK.
Meanwhile, anti-euthanasia campaigners have accused the BBC of glorifying suicide and painting an idealised picture of assisted death rather than an ‘honest debate’, claiming it breached ethical guidelines.
Andrea Williams of the Christian Legal Centre said: ‘It is another example of the BBC playing cheerleader in the campaign to legalise euthanasia and it has to stop.’
Geoff Morris of the Care Not Killing pressure group said the film was too idyllic to be objective.
He thought the documentary was unbalanced as of all the patients, relatives and health care professionals interviewed during the programme, only one was opposed to euthanasia.
BBC acting controller of Knowledge Commissioning Emma Swain said the programme had not been intended to provide an objective view but to view the process of assisted death through the eyes of author Sir Terry Pratchett, who fronted the documentary.
At the end of the documentary Sir Terry, who has Alzheimer’s disease, admitted he could not decide whether he would be able to end his own life.
‘I am not sure what I would do if I was there,’ he said.
- To read Guernsey Press stories in full click here for subscription details. Individual editions are now available online.
Island Life
All about Guernsey
Ambassador of the Year 2011
History & Heritage
Visitor Information
Guernsey's government
Campaigns
Voice For Victims
Voice for Victims is a campaign aimed at promoting the rights of those affected by child sexual abuse.
This is Guernsey
Guernsey Press
Useful Links
I’m not quite sure what point the CLC and Care Not Killing are trying to make.
The BBC have never hidden the fact that this documentary is biased in favour of assisted suicide. It’s a bit like Richard Dawkins complaining to the BBC that Songs of Praise doesn’t promote atheism.
It may tug on a few heart strings (I’m sure it will tug on mine) but it was never meant to be an objective analysis – and I certainly won’t treat it like one. As someone who is still undecided about how assisted suicide should be treated in law, I will view it as an opportunity to see one side of an extremely sensitive and difficult subject. I suggest all interested parties do the same.
Report abuse
having just seen my father have a drawn out death through lung cancer, who often put my brother and i in a horrible position as he continually asked as for tablets so he could kill himself(tumors had left him pralysed), i fully support assisted suicide, if he spoke 2 a dr and asked him for the liquid and on his own accord drank it,it would of totaly been his call legaly, and we would of supported him fully, but we couldnt bring ourselves 2 do illegaly or emotionally.
Report abuse
I applaud the man’s courage. How hard must it be to make that decision? Respect and condolences due to his wife too.
It strikes me as ironic that the spokespeople for anti-euthansia movements (such as the Christian Legal Center – above) would doubltess be perfectly happy to have a pet put down if it was in terrible suffering with no chance of recovery – and yet it is deemed unchristian to offer a human being the same release.
Report abuse
I thought this program gave a very open and none opinionated view of assisted death. A choice we should be allowed to make.
This will always be a subject that will the masses, but it should be a option.
As for Christian Legal Centre, how many people are killed on a daily basis from religion, perhaps you should sort your own camp out first.
Report abuse
Like I said here he was forced to die a lot earlier than he needed to because of Dignitas’s terms http://www.thisisguernsey.com/2011/06/08/islanders-assisted-death-to-be-televised/#comment-96397
Report abuse
Anyone who objects to putting this controversial subject in the public domain, have obviously not watched a love one suffer.
My girl friend with upper MND was left lying frightened in a hospital bed, unable to eat, or communicate, scared stiff of how the end was going to be. I wish she had had a choice not to be left to suffer. In England we treat our pets better than humans.
Hopefully one day… a lovely man like Peter Smedleys will not be forced to go to an industrial estate in a foreign country for his final hours, and can die in dignity in his own home.
Report abuse
Very interesting article on Dignitas if anyone wants a read:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2009/nov/18/assisted-suicide-dignitas-house
Report abuse
In 2008 Dignitas claimed that the cost of organising suicides was GBP5,000…now it is 10000! The country’s law insists that agencies that help arrange assisted deaths do it for ‘honourable reasons’ and do not profit from death, apart from charging basic fees…that’s a mighty big hike in ‘fees’.
This was in the Guardian…Karl Rtsche, a spokesman for Schwerzenbach council, said it was not happy when it heard Dignitas had settled in its community but was powerless to act. ‘Of course, as a council we tried to stop them moving here and we fought the Dignitas decision tooth and nail. We didn’t want the country’s biggest sex club and largest death factory side-by-side on our doorstep.’ He added: ‘Having lost the battle to keep them away at least we can say that – on a positive note – everyone now knows where Schwerzenbach is.
A resident said ‘The only problem ever is that Dignitas doesn’t advertise its presence – and a lot of people get lost and have to ask for directions. But there are 300 customers a day going to the brothel, so there is always someone around to ask.’
Although my MND is so far advanced that I know they won’t accept me I am tempted to contact them to see what they would say. Sounds like going next door would be far more fun!
http://thisismylife.46.forumer.com
Report abuse
What a class act Mr Smedley and his wife were- very focused obviously having discussed all aspects before hand and after all said and done – ultimately exercising their right to self determination and choice.
Make no mistake – this was about personal choice – not the opinion of a bunch of do- gooders – who if they had their way, would insist that Mr Smedley had to die on their terms not his own.
What a shame that Mr Smedley was legally not allowed to pass away within the familiar confines of his own home.
I think he has done the cause and humanity in general a great service.
Mr Smedley did what was right for him – what a human being, what a genteel,gracious,loving and considerate gentleman, in every sense of the word.
A touching and compassionate programme which will remain with me forever – thank you,thank you,thank you Mr Smedley.
Rest in peace you remarkable inspirational gentle-man.
posted by -
Mike P
Wales
Report abuse
What I believe the pro-assisted suicide persons were trying to say in the documentary is that if the clinic had been in the UK then persons who were suffering would be able to wait longer, until they were suffering greatly, to be assisted. I agree with this.
I do not agree with what “seemed” to happen on the program and that is that persons were assisted before their suffering was at a high level – moreso a factor with the younger man in the program who I believe they said did not want to wait because he was afraid that he would not be able to make the trip unassisted in the future- which is really the whole point of it all.
Whether or not you agree or disagree, it is an option which is available to all people- anyone can travel and get it done, so the best thing to do is to get it over here so then at least we can control it and ensure that it is done right.
Report abuse
‘Balance’ – what nonsense. On the one hand a painless, dignified death On the other hand, what, years under a death sentence with fear, suffering and dependance on others? Would any of the God squad enjoy appearing on camera explaining to these poor decent people why God’s grand plan requires their interminable suffering? If it wasn’t so sad it would be a farce.
Report abuse
What has the broken UK got to do with Guernsey Residents decisions. They are too busy war mongering for fossil fuels abroad.
Report abuse
I hope the beautiful brave and strong Mrs Smedley is surrounded by the love of all Guernsey whilst she grieves her amazing husband and their long married life together. You have astounding fortitude and backbone – I salute you for giving your Peter the end he wanted. He was a great man and now you have proved you are a great woman to let him go.
Much love
Siobhan
Report abuse
after watching my darling mum die with cancer and my grandmother, I am all for assisted suicides.when my mum was dying, her pain relief was useless ,the doctor said he had never had anyone on such high pain relief, the idea that you just go quietly to sleep peacefully after being given intravenous drugs with cancer is a myth, and if someone had have just given me a injecton filled with something that would have definitly sent my mum to a peaceful death I would have given it to her and gone to prison for it, how anyone can be against euthanasia Is beyond belief, I am not interested in the whys and wherefores, when your loved one is in agony and you know they are going to die, you will do anything to stop the pain. I even asked someone just to show me where to put an injection, because i didnt want to cause my mum more pain, but the lady with tears in her eyes told me she could not do that, but she fully understood my pain in the fact that the pain relief I was assured would send mum to sleep was not working.mum died a few days later and i have lived for over 20 years, with a guilt that I didnt help her when she needed me most, to end her suffering. so please please let euthanasia be made legal, my mum was lovely and did not deserve what she went through, and if i could have swapped places with her I would have done so.we dont allow animals to suffer but we are letting loved ones suffer needlessley every day.
Report abuse
I was a little surprised having watched the programme.
There was something strikingly undignified and sinister – completely at odds with the Smedleys themselves – about calling in at a tin house on an industrial estate, so clinical and bereft of character, to die over tea, poison and chocolates administered by two henchmen.
Also, for what is described as a painless death, there appeared at the very least to be several seconds of distress and discomfort at the point of somnolence.
The ideal solution is still wanting it seems to me.
Report abuse
St Marcouf, are you sure you watched the same programme as the rest of us? There was nothing ‘sinister’ whatsoever, the ‘henchmen’ were an elderly couple trying to hold back their tears. You purport to offer an unbiased observation but strike me as somebody coldly and callously pursuing the ‘anti’ agenda.
The only point of you post I can agree with is that, yes, Mr Smedley did have “several seconds of distress and discomfort”. About 3 seconds – don’t you think he would have accepted this 1000 times over to be spared years of increasing torment and pain? Sooo sorry that the Dignitas house was too ‘clinical’ and ‘bereft of character’ for your taste. It is shameful that Britons need to travel in discomfort to Switzerland rather than being allowed to die in comfort at home. For an unfortunate few, Dignitas is a Godsend – or is it not one of His works?
Report abuse
What a documentry. I was left quite moved after watching this. I had always thought it should be someones right to end their life if they had an incurable illness, or their quality of life was so bad it was unbearable. Now i have doubts. What if we are judged by god. Would that mean you remain in pergutary or go to hell. Do we have the right to make our loved ones suffer, and of course what if we got better, or suddenly there was a cure discovered. I personally am not god fearing but I dont think I would like to take any chances. Having said all that I feel a lot of courage was needed to go through with this. Another thing that bothers me is the fine line between offering a non profit service. I dont know what was in the drinks but surely they dont cost 10 grand. I wouldnt pay that for any drink, exept maybe a good Brandy. Lots to think about, but i am pleased I witneseed it.
Report abuse
Sansie
I had tears in my eyes reading your post because I too went through a similar situation with my mum. I agree with you wholeheartedly.
Rachel
Report abuse
To all you doubters
Please read sansie’s post
Report abuse
Sansie. Heart wrenching post and so so true.
In this and another related post there is talk of God given life and only he should take it away. I’m not religious but do recall being taught at school that ‘God’ created the earth and ALL living things (somehow in 7 days). If he gave life to ALL living things why do we take it away from all the others without question except our own species?
Report abuse
Isn’t it time for the medical profession to draw up a list of ctiteria that would make life intolerable for some people such as ‘total loss of mobility’, ‘constant pain’ or ‘needs feeding intraveinously’ etc. At the age of, say, 18 everybody could determine any level at which they wish to be euthanized. The ‘default’ would be to be kept alive under any circumstances. People could revise this ‘living will’ at any time. Why should this not be acceptable to Christians, isn’t ‘free will’ one of their tenets?
Quite apart from the moral right to self determination, the health care system is reaching breaking point. Already people with treatable conditions get neglected whilst ever increasing resources go into prolonging the life of people who would prefer to ‘check out’ before their lives become unbearable. Unless action is taken things will only get worse, its insane.
A while back I had a general anaesthetic. When I came round afterwards I remember thinking that if I had never woken up I would have known nothing about it whatsoever. And how much better it would be to go like that than the circumstances in which we generally die – sometimes serene and comfortable but often alone, afraid, in pain …. it doesn’t need to be this way.
Report abuse
Beanjar – I am actually pro assisted suicide, but I found the means shown in the programme to be disquieting.
What I saw was some sort of death ceremony conducted as a tea party on grisly premises by one person with a deeply foreboding Teutonic accent and another who lurked ominously in the background keeping watch.
In my view it would have been more congenial and peaceful to have taken an apéritif atop those beautiful mountains overlooking Zurich, fallen asleep and died from exposure using only nature’s assistance.
Report abuse
OK, St Marcouf, I agree it might be preferable if the blue metal building got re-clad in timber and if the population of Zurich spoke BBC english. But aren’t these really, really trivial details when you consider that this is currently the only place British people can legally go to be relieved of lives which have become an intolerable burden?
Report abuse
Beanjar, let’s not forget that those capable of using the assistance of Dignitas to die are also capable of dying without assistance by their own means, so that there are choices and in comparing those choices the details you describe as trivial are only natural considerations.
My feeling is that the grim surroundings and means of death offered by Dignitas do not necessarily surpass some non-assisted methods.
I remember watching a TV programme a few years ago which explored the most painless, least frightening, peaceful and sure way to die. Suffice to say, it did not involve ingesting or injecting any poisons.
Report abuse
I came in halfway through a conversation with a local vicar on the radio this morning
He was expressing grave doubts about the drafting of a law which would ensure that assisted suicide was 100% the sole choice of the ‘patient’ and would not allow room for others to influence that decision for ‘selfish reasons’
I presume that Switzerland is not a third world country and that their law which is now several years old has been drafted properly to take account of those worries
Why do we have to re-invent the wheel? Just copy the Swiss law with appropriate safeguards to comply with British standards
Report abuse
Yes, but many of the ‘clinical’ aspects of the Dignitas procedure is to ensure absolute adherance to the law. Suicide is no longer illegal in Guernsey but “A person who aids, abets, counsels or procures the suicide of another, or an attempt by another to commit suicide, is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years.”
If I was in Mr Smedley’s terrible situation I would not want to implicate anybody else in an illegal act, or to have the shock of discovering my corpse. Taking these factors into account, Dignitas seems to currently offer the only viable option for many people.
Report abuse
Ray, I took that to be the usual line in ‘anti’ scaremongering. They have few sensible arguments so they always try to conjure up the spectre of people being whipped off the streets to a death factory if the are looking a bit peaky. Nobody in favour of assisted suicide has ever suggested that there should not be comprehensive legal safeguards. Personally I would favour people dictating a ‘living will’ as soon as they become adults so there is far less chance of vulnerable people being pressured later on.
Report abuse
With a few noble exceptions these religious types are never honest on this issue Beanjar. If they were they’d admit that they are implacably against the entire principle of living wills/assisted suicide – no matter how good and how watertight the safeguards are. Generally they prefer to scaremonger or to pretend it’s a case of palliative care v suicide. That’s what we’re up against!
Report abuse
Martino – absolutely there are many implacable people on both sides – however a lot of the religious types I’ve spoken to don’t fit into that category at all.
The ones I’ve spoken to are very sympathetic to the plight of people like the Smedleys whilst remaining fundamentally concerned about the safeguarding issues of any change in the law. These aren’t the liberal types either but conservative Bible-believing Christians like myself.
I’ve posted this particular article before but thought it might be pertinent to do so again in this context. This is from a recent medical journal and not a religious publication. Of particular interest is that (a) the UN consider Holland’s legislation to be in violation of the UN Declaration of Human Rights and (b) a number of jurisdictions have rejected assisted suicide on the basis of safeguarding concerns – perhaps most notably France, a nation who are certainly not afraid to upset religious people!
http://www.current-oncology.com/index.php/oncology/article/view/883/618
You yourself accept that watertight legislation would be required, however can we really be sure we can provide legislation that will protect all vulnerable people? The evidence would show that to do so is not perhaps as easy as first thought, the example of Holland being perhaps the most pertinent example.
Therein lies the crux of the matter I think. Often the only major difference I can see between your view and that of many religious people I know is that you have more trust in the legal system than them – resulting in your tendency towards liberalisation and theirs towards the conservative position of leaving the status quo intact.
I know it’s easy to dismiss the majority of religious people as Bible thumping loonies but I would urge you to reconsider. Religious people (like the non-religious) come in all shapes and sizes – and I think you’d be pleasantly surprised how thoughtful many of them are.
Report abuse
Nicely done Paul Le Page. Logical, balanced and thoughtfully reasoned post as usual.
Report abuse
Yes a thoughtful post Paul and I would never put you in the ‘dogmatist’ category even though you are a self proclaimed ‘fundamentalist’. The sort of religious lobbying I don’t like on this issue comes from organisations like ‘Care not Killing’ (have I got the name right?). For me palliative care and assisted suicide are or should be complementary. ie take palliative care until the point that even with all the painkillers/drugs in the world life has reached the point where it is not worth living. I think I’ll leave it at that!
Report abuse
The paper published in Current Oncology is written by Dr Jose Pereira who happens to be a campaigner against euthanasia and assisted suicide and a supporter of better palliative care.
His paper will therefore be written from a biased viewpoint – it’s easy to manipulate facts and figures in support of or against anything.
As for the right to life, if life equates to the period between birth and death, then the process of dying up to death, but not including death itself, is part of life. In which case, perhaps assisted suicide need not interfere or conflict with the right to life after all.
Report abuse
For all those who have seen their family members dying in horrible pain -I am sorry that you were so ill served by the medical community. Our bodies fight death relentlessly, and dying is very hard work. But making euthanasia legal does not address the problem of adequate pain relief for the dying: on the contrary, once euthanasia is made legal, efforts to relieve pain and suffering will become less passionate and less effective, for there is no need to relieve pain if death is a prescription. I would challenge any doctor who said that they were unable to do more: while all the pain of death cannot be avoided, a doctor who says he cannot do more ought to find someone who can. But doctors are remarkably brave about other people’s pain. As to putting animals down: well, I am rather against treating people like animals.
Report abuse