Omid’s fight for a ‘dignified death’

A MAN with a non-terminal but incurable illness seeking a change in the law on assisted dying has refused to see his children for over six months as he does not want them to witness his failing health.

Omid, whose surname has not been released, said he is fighting for a “dignified death” which he cannot have under current legislation.

The 54-year-old said he has not seen his three children in more than six months.

The former property developer, who was diagnosed with multiple system atrophy (MSA) in 2014, said the law was “cruel” and has more respect for animals than humans.

“If the law were different, I wouldn’t suffer like this,” he said.

“They have more respect for animals than myself. If an animal is sick and they can’t do anything about it, what do they do? They put it to sleep. But for people like me, we have to live like this.

“You don’t know for how long, just for you to wait for your death.”

He added: “When I wake up in the morning and I see this room, I don’t want to be alive. I haven’t seen my kids for six months — I don’t want them to see me like this.”

MSA is a disease of the nervous system that results in parts of the brain and spinal cord becoming more damaged over time. The condition is estimated to affect five in every 100,000 people, and almost 3,000 people in the UK are living with the disease.

Omid’s speech has deteriorated, he has lost use of his limbs due to muscle weakness and is mostly confined to his bed. He is trying to raise money to fund his legal battle to win the right to die for people with incurable diseases who have potentially years to live.

On his CrowdJustice page, where he is raising the cash, Omid said: “The law on assisted dying in the UK is cruel and unjust.

“It stops me, and many like me, from having a safe and painless death at home.

“I believe this has to change. I am determined to change this law.

“I could have several miserable years ahead of me. I have lost the will to carry on with a wretched existence. I cannot do anything for myself. What sort of life is this and who would want it?”

The High Court has set a timetable for Omid’s case to be heard, and he is awaiting a hearing date.

For more information, visit crowdjustice.org/case/dignified-death/.

Omid, who’s mostly confined to bed, doesn’t want his children witnessing his failing health.