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Terry Pratchett starts process to take his own life
- Thread starter HiroProtagonist
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All of those. Physical deterioration will start at very early and it will place lot of strain to muscles and joints.Yaboosh said:
Tho when it goes far enough it really can't be called suffering (mental suffering) since the people don't have any understanding what is going on. My friend is working in a hospital and every now and then when I had to pick her up from work I saw people with alzhaimer and it's truely sad. Eventually the people are just strap to their beds for most of the day since they can't even walk or feed themselfs. One patient had been in her bed for five years.
I would take Pratchett's way too if I would ever be diagnosed with this heinous disease.
chris121580
Member
The end was absolutely heartbreaking the way they were filming through the window with silhouettes while they were singing. It had a huge impact on me.Clydefrog said:
Incendiary
Banned
Man, I love Terry Pratchett and all his work. This really makes me sad. Ugh.
Yaboosh said:
Inability to properly go to the toilet by yourself? As to actual, strictly physical issues, I am unaware. But then again, I'm getting quite an education.
For example: I didn't know that a urinary tract infection can cause violent dementia in those afflicted with Alzheimers. Did I mention cleanly going to the bathroom is an issue for those with Alzheimers? Fucking disease.
demosthenes
Member
dofry said:
My grandpa doesn't have Alzheimer's (I don't think) he's just getting increasingly senile. He's 95+, but he forgot that my dad is his son and why he's in a wheelchair. It's one of the only times I've seen my dad be emotional or try to contain emotions. I imagine that living with someone that is severe is very similar to the above.
Anticitizen One
Banned
This ruined my day 
I'm so saddened by this news, but it isn't unexpected. He's had Alzheimers for years and it's been going for the worse for a while now.
His article/speech (he could only give the opening words due to the disease) on the subject is great and really gives you insight why he chose this.
His article/speech (he could only give the opening words due to the disease) on the subject is great and really gives you insight why he chose this.
demosthenes said:
Story from a support group. Woman has been taking care of her mother with Alzheimer's for many years, but has been progressively getting worse. One night she wakes up, and her Mother is standing over her side of the bed, a flashlight clutched in her hand. Her mother had no idea why.
Sadly, it is not rare for a loved one with the disease to stab or attack a loved one from dementia, confusion, or otherwise thinking they are somewhere else or is someone else. Really, I totally respect Pratchett's decision here. Its a disease that strips your very being.
Etrian Oddity
Member
Alzheimer's is a terrible disease that's often treated too lightly (like a punchline). I worked in a law office which specialized in PoAs and wills, and we had a few clients who had sever Alzheimer's. They literally would forget where they were supposed to sign and what they were signing for, moments after it was explained to them.
Truly frightening and sad.
Truly frightening and sad.
crowphoenix
Banned
Well, it's a sin in most religions, which covers that angle. Plus, most Americans like to believe we're tough bastards able to stand up to any adversity, so we tend to look down on suicides of all kinds.Kalnos said:
Yea, it makes me really sad.Etrian Oddity said:Alzheimer's is a terrible disease that's often treated too lightly (like a punchline). I worked in a law office which specialized in PoAs and wills, and we had a few clients who had sever Alzheimer's. They literally would forget where they were supposed to sign and what they were signing for, moments after it was explained to them.
Truly frightening and sad.
crowphoenix
Banned
On Gaf, you never know. Besides, it's a worthwhile condemnation. And I think the Drug Industry has a lot to do with why living in a vegetative state is better than a quick death.Kalnos said:
frankie_baby
Member
Really sad but moving documentary I urge all of gaf to try and watch it and so sad now knowing terry has started the process to go that way
Alex Connolly
Member
There's something sadly charming about a man who, in the event of not going through with assisted suicide, either forgets the world he created or goes off to live there entirely.
Here's to you, Terry Pratchett.
Here's to you, Terry Pratchett.
Just finished watching the BBC documentary. I can't believe how brave that man was at the end. Oddly enough my Great Granddad had motor neuron and my Great Grandma had Alzheimers. Both of them were completely robbed of themselves piece by piece. My G-Granddad lost just about all mobility in his body but his mind was for the most part ok which means he knew exactly what was happening and the hopelessness of it. My G-Grandma on the other hand lost her memory bit by bit. She didn't recognise her family and twice called the police because she woke up in her home but didn't recognise it and thought she had been kidnapped. She didn't make it to the last stages of that disease because she also had cancer which advanced very quickly.
Both of them told me at one point that it was not worth it. I know they would have opted for assisted death if they could. If I am ever faced with such an illness I really hope I can find the courage to end my life.
Both of them told me at one point that it was not worth it. I know they would have opted for assisted death if they could. If I am ever faced with such an illness I really hope I can find the courage to end my life.
MilesWebber
Member
He'll probably forget that he even signed the forms.
ruuk said:
It's not. This has been coming for quite some time now, he's been quite public about it.
I find it enlightening to notice that the usual crowd of "suicide is for cowards" posters are NOT posting in this thread. I wonder what that means...possibly, that it takes a respectable public figure to push for an idea for an opponent to consider it.
It's really too bad it's seen in such a negative light (in public) in the US. I know very few people who think assisted suicide is wrong. Obviously there are people, but I think it's a lot less than people think. I imagine part of the stigma has come from (besides religion) Jack Kevorkian and some of his extreme views. I happen to agree with a lot of what he said, but he was such a polarizing figure with his fighting the man attitude he scared a lot of people off.
The Technomancer
card-carrying scientician
Read my post above. This isn't anything like most of the suicide situations that I've had to personally deal with, where six months later without exception they have said to me "man, I'm really glad I didn't go through with it"jaxword said:
I'm glad I didn't just "respect their choices".
The Technomancer
card-carrying scientician
Fair enough. I get kind of tired of the "its their life, and if you even suggest that they shouldn't kill themselves then you are an insensitive prick", and I jumped to a bit of a conclusion.jaxword said:
paranoidfortean
Member
just start doing heroin.
The_Technomancer said:
There's a WORLD of difference between someone who can be helped, and someone who cannot be helped.
Nobody sane supports someone killing themselves if they can be helped with a bit of counseling and help.
But when you are BEYOND help, that's what people support, and when that sensitivity to their suffering is required, and "respecting their choice" is necessary.
The Technomancer
card-carrying scientician
I'm all for assisted suicide when a person has medical issues that will irreparably and inevitably ruin their life. But I've had a fair number of conversations on GAF that have debated the idea of respecting a person's right to kill themselves just because they're unhappy with their life as it currently is and don't see any likely way its going to change. (and of course they don't, they're depressed!)jaxword said:
HiroProtagonist
Member
PhoncipleBone
Banned
I appreciate the link (for however long it stays active) but I just can't bring myself to watch it yet. The first two minutes or so nearly broke me when I found out he couldn't type anymore.
Phonomezer
Banned
HiroProtagonist said:
Thanks for the link!
The Smedleys are so delightful ^_^
That's a very strong decision, I respect it not matter how sad it makes me feel. He's probably my favorite author and was a huge part of my teenage years... I feel so sad right now.
Alzheimer is a terrible disease and we don't have much knowledge of it really.
My mother always told us that if she ever became senile or demented, she'd rather die than stay in such a condition, she would have to be a burden to us and not having any control on her life.
Alzheimer is a terrible disease and we don't have much knowledge of it really.
My mother always told us that if she ever became senile or demented, she'd rather die than stay in such a condition, she would have to be a burden to us and not having any control on her life.
Kano on the Phone
Member
Religion and this weird fake moral outrage where people In our society get indignant about things that don't affect them at all.Kalnos said:
My better half loves Pratchett and I imagine it will be a very gloomy day at home when the news does hit that he is no longer living on this planet.
I watched a film called Memories of Tomorrow with Ken Watanabe in it who was portraying a businessman who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. I can only imagine the pain that everyone must go through when this is occuring to an associate, friend, family member and loved one.
I watched a film called Memories of Tomorrow with Ken Watanabe in it who was portraying a businessman who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. I can only imagine the pain that everyone must go through when this is occuring to an associate, friend, family member and loved one.
CleverGirl said:
I imagine Death and Death of the Endless will both be there. Because its the second and last time we will get a Gaiman/Pratchett team up...
I fully support this though. My grandma had Alzheimer's. I wasnt sad when she died, since everything had long since been erased about the person I knew by that horrible fucking disease. I honestly think its a fate worse than death.
he really should be spending his time and resources on researching recent medical breakthroughs scientists are making in stem cell research and how it can be applied to his disease for treatment. it's likely there are trials starting soon for a treatment that could help him.
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