I can make my own decisions
VOLUNTARY ASSISTED DYING
READERS Scott and Sue Wright wrote about older or disabled people being abused if voluntary assisted dying was legislated (Letters, September 18). I am an older person and I have a disability. I am perfectly capable of making my own decisions. I object to the inference someone else would be making decisions on my behalf and I would somehow be consigned to a scrap heap and be forced to accept VAD.
I have made a living will, I have created an end of life plan and lodged it with my doctor and hospitals, I have made my wishes well known to my family. I feel very secure in my decisions, after all, my living will is more than 20 years old and end-oflife plan about eight years old. I have believed in VAD since I was in my teens, and I hope the legislation passes.
It is my belief all people should have the right to choose either option. This debate is about the choice of the individual, not the choice of only those opposed to VAD. If anyone feels they may be coerced in future, they should make their choice known to their doctor.
Jane Hall Rokeby anyway because he thinks it is in your or society’s best interest then this is called euthanasia. The public has to be careful what they wish for with the current Bill. There is no general support among Tasmanian doctors to be judge, jury and executioner. As for the slippery slope and reassurances this won’t happen in Tasmania, it is wise to remember that in every jurisdiction with similar legislation the criteria for facilitation of death has eventually widened. Gerry McGushin
New Town (Talking Point, September 11). There is no evidence at all to suppose those worst-case scenarios might happen. On the other hand, we definitely know withholding the Bill and denying a person’s right to end suffering in the face of inevitable death is in itself a form of elder abuse. It is an abuse of all terminal sufferers. There are so many safeguards that diversion into listing possible scenarios of elder abuse represents a red herring.
A. Francis Sandy Bay