Thank you Bill, I hope you meet your end in the manner that you choose.

Amen, Bill! You speak for hundreds of thousands. My brilliant mother withered away in a nursing home, the final EIGHT years of her life spent with no cognitive capacity, bedridden, incontinent and with nothing to live for. Because she had been so fit and strong, her heart just kept beating. You wouldn't inflict this end on a dog.

Yup! Nailed it. You have done well in speaking out so clearly at the end of a long life.
Would we could see such clarity and courage in our elected representatives.

Bill what a dignified post, Bill I would like you to end life as you feel you should be able to, your decision no one else's, unfortunately we have those people who deny people that choice, Governments being the main culprit and the religious right not far behind, what sort of Christians are they, life is not sacred, wars prove that which they are only too happy to be part of and agree with. but like yourself and millions of other people want a dignified death, but for goodness sake they rave on "life you must remember is sacred" what utter crap.

Euthanasia or its threat is not a cure for depression, aged depression, alcoholism, drug addiction, endless self pity, loneliness, boredom, poverty or fear of the future, or the unknown; or to manipulate family members/exploit their guilt/exercise familial control, when force is no longer available, excetera etc!

In any event, it already happens, with all life support (food, water O2) routinely withheld (nil by mouth) and ever increasing doses of painkillers guaranteeing a peaceful passing.

And routine in just about any hospital; but particularly in small country ones where patients and their "REAL" problems are usually well known to the local medical fraternity.

And virtually guaranteed by a living will!

Make sure that it's one discussed with your family, given they could conceivably withhold essential consent at the very end!

And if that should be enough assurance for those who fear the pain and suffering of that end!?

A law could be passed preventing doctors from being prosecuted for providing such service; and all that's really needed; and without ever actually formalizing so called euthanasia!

Things now happening in other parts are demonstrating that euthanasia, once made law, always leads down a slippery slope to other things like children, with a still treatable conditions, allowed to access this (vastly less costly) informed consent service?

And why pay people pensions, costing thousands of dollars a year, when for a few cents and a handful of pills, they can be "humanely disposed of", with their mortal remains recycled as pet food or fertilizer; say in exchange for a plaque on a wall?

Thus saving caring and concerned families; particularly those with slim wallets, the cost of funerals?
Waste not want not!
If we want to devalue human life, why stop at euthanasia?
Rhrosty.

Good on you, Bill. I have nursed geriatrics and have seen them linger with no quality of life. The number of times a patient asked me to help them die! Euthanasia should be legalised for a human who is lucid but trapped in a diseased and/or deteriorating body that will not get better, and wants that option to end their suffering. As Bill stated in his article, his mate was relieved to know there was someone who would help "ease him out." Often, just the knowledge they have a choice is all they need, and many will battle through to the bitter end. Bill is wise to be prepared, and I wish him all the luck in the world.