‘Brave? People have called me a coward’
Back in June, we shared Alex’s courageous story in best. He’d contacted us after reading an interview Eamonn Holmes had given us about having hearing loss, which has been linked to dementia. Eamonn said that if that fate should ever befall him, he would chose to go to Switzerland to die with dignity.
It struck a chord with Alex because, in 2015, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and it was a devastating blow.
The university lecturer knew all too well how cruel the disease could be, because he had watched his beloved father, Vincent, suffer with the same illness. It had changed Vincent into an aggressive, violent and, at times, lewd man – a far cry from the father he’d once been.
Alex didn’t want to leave his loved ones with memories that would haunt them forever, similar to those he had of his dad. Instead, he wanted to die with dignity at a time of his own choosing.
Alex, now 64, has spoken out about the right to die, campaigned to be heard and helped others fighting for the same cause. He believes everyone with an incurable illness should be able to die in their own country. As it stands, it will cost Alex £8,000 to travel from his home in Lancashire to Switzerland and end his life. ‘Not everybody can afford that,’ he says.
Although they find it hard, his partner, Poppy, his elderly mum and his sisters all support his decision.
Alex has now given up his much-loved job in education and he’s stopped travelling – something he had been passionate about. The dementia means he’s easily upset, and noise and large crowds are confusing and difficult for him to deal with. At the awards, Alex said, ‘I’m surprised and delighted that best call me a hero. People have called me a coward in the past.’ He knows this is a controversial issue, but hopes people will see that everyone should have the right to choose.