MDMD condemns inhumane lack of choice, as incurably suffering man is forced to starve himself to death

An incurably suffering man, who wants the option of a legal assisted death, has decided to end his life by starving himself to death – while the choice is still within his control to make.  

Michael Askham, a 59-year father of three and former nurse, suffers from motor neurone disease and is unable to walk, talk, or socialise as he used to. He now believes that if he does not act to end his life soon, his only prospects will be a slow, drawn-out, and painful death. 

Speaking ahead of his decision to die, Michael has urged MPs to vote in favour of assisted dying reform – and allow others in his situation more time with their loved ones. 

He said:

‘All elements of life have slowly been taken away from me. Socialising, singing, eating, drinking, running, walking, playing guitar, working and driving. Life is no longer giving me enough pleasure for me to wish to continue’. 

‘My wish is for MPs to support and push for progress towards assisted dying in the UK. I understand that some people could be seen as being at risk of exploitation when assisted dying is legalised. Countries with the law already in place have legal processes to protect vulnerable people’.

‘I would hate to imagine any of my children going through this experience in the UK’. 

Phil Cheatle the Lead Campaign Commentator for My Death, My Decision said:

‘It is barbaric that the only option available to those facing constant and incurable suffering, like Michael, is the inhumane process of starvation. There is a better and more compassionate way.’

‘More countries than ever, including Canada, now permit the option of an assisted death for adults of sound mind – showing that such changes in the law can be achieved in a safe and compassionate manner. For some, even the comfort of knowing that an assisted death is available if needed is enough in itself – as it enables them to be secure in the knowledge that they will not have to suffer more than they can bear.’ 

‘We need a change of law in the UK so that doctors can provide the end of life assistance that their patients want – excellent palliative care with the option of a medically assisted death when the best palliative solutions are inadequate.’

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Assisted Dying laws forced our mum to die without the right-to-say-goodbye, says grieving family

The family of an unnamed woman who travelled to Switzerland to die in secrecy have criticised the current ban on assisted dying for denying their family and close friends a right-to-say-goodbye. 

The family, who have asked not to be named, felt compelled to travel more than 1,000 miles by car and ferry to avoid police scrutiny and spent more than £10,000 after their relative, who had been diagnosed with motor neurone disease and who could no longer eat or speak, begged them to help her die with dignity. 

The family said they had felt anxious, that the woman’s GP, who had provided medical records, might realise what was happening and prevent their relative from traveling abroad. As a result, the family took extra precautions to maintain their secrecy, meaning the woman was unable to say goodbye to cherished friends and other family members – denying her and them closure, which would have been possible in other circumstances. 

Describing the sense of ‘constant anxiety’ and ‘fear’ that the family would be stopped at any moment, the woman’s daughter has spoken out in favour of changing the law on assisted dying, adding that the secrecy was a burden that only added to her grief. 

She said: 

‘I want to tell my manager at work, I want him to understand what we have been though, but I dare not. I am not ashamed of what we have done. It was the right thing for my mum’. 

Phil Cheatle the  Lead Campaign Commentator for My Death, My Decision said:

‘This case illustrates the tragedy of our current law.’

‘Those who merely want the right to die on their own terms are forced by our law to conceal their plans, out of fear of being discovered or prevented from exercising choice and control over how they die. The need for secrecy deprives both family and friends of saying goodbye in the manner they would wish. But the current UK alternatives of refusing treatment, refusing food and liquid, or taking one’s life unaided while you are still able, all seem far worse.’

‘The law clearly needs to change. More and more people are deciding that the compassionate assisted dying options, which are available in an increasing number of jurisdictions, such as Canada, are far preferable to ending one’s days in enforced suffering in the UK. We urge the Government to authorise an investigation into the current law, and ensure no-one else is forced to go through the anxiety of a secretive death’.

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Jersey will establish a Citizens ‘Jury’ on Assisted Dying

In a nationwide first, the Jersey Health Minister has said he will establish a public forum of 12 – 24 citizens to consider the issue of assisted dying reform. My Death, My Decision has welcomed the decision, which it is hoped will mark the beginning of a process to allow those who are incurably suffering or terminally ill to access a legal, safe, and compassionate assisted deaths. 

The proposed ‘jury’, which would consist of a randomly and representative sample of islanders, would be tasked with producing a detailed report and set of recommendations on assisted dying, after having listened to leading experts both for and against a change in the law. 

The latest move in Jersey follows after the Government had pledged to conduct a review into the current law on end-of-life practices – including assisted dying – and after My Death, My Decision’s partner in the Assisted Dying Coalition, End of Life Choices Jersey, found that more than 80% of islanders favoured a change in the law for those who are incurably suffering or terminally ill. 

The moves mirrors a similar approach which later led to abortion reform in the Republic of Ireland in 2016. 

Commenting on the decision, My Death, My Decision’s Chair Trevor Moore said: 

‘The current law on assisted dying isn’t working. It places an unjust financial and emotional burden on those who are incurably suffering or terminally ill, and in many cases forces adults to end their lives before they would otherwise wish.’

‘But whilst there is now overwhelming public support for a change in the law, parliamentary attitudes have stayed the same – despite major changes in other jurisdictions, including Canada. These proposals for a citizen’s jury are a huge step in the right direction, and send a clear message that assisted dying shouldn’t be left in the ‘too-hard to resolve’ category anymore. We thoroughly endorse this decision and will assist the panel in any way we can to ensure there is an open, honest, and evidence-based debate.’

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Do Alzheimer’s sufferers have to choose assisted dying too soon?

Leila Bell, an 85 year old Canadian, suffered from early stage Alzheimer’s disease. She died in August 2019 using the Canadian Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) legislation. However, in an in depth interview shortly before her death, she explains that she is angry that she had to end her life as soon as she did, because she was afraid that if she delayed, she might lose her mental capacity. Mental capacity at the time of an assisted death is one of the safeguards in the current Canadian MAID legislation.

In her video Leila Bell says: “If I had been able to do an advanced request, I would not have had to decide to make that decision to die now. … I have been forced to decide now because I fear that at some future time, I will not be able to request it due to the compromise in my brain being much more severe.”

Canadian MAID providers have drawn up guidelines on how to best help people like Leila. The Canadian government is considering extending the MAID legislation, possibly to include those like Leila Bell. In Switzerland, like Canada, those eligible for a medically assisted death must have mental capacity at the time of death. The Netherlands and Belgium permit euthanasia by an advance request, but there are very few cases where this happens.

Assisted dying in cases of dementia raises a number of issues. See this page for a detailed discussion.

Responding to the story, MDMD’s Lead Campaign Commentator, Phil Cheatle said:

‘It is easy to sympathise with Leila’s concern, but the issues involved are far from simple. It is a large step to ask someone else to decide, on your behalf, when to end your life. This is especially difficult for someone who is still conscious but lacks mental capacity.’

‘Dementia is now the cause of 1 in 8 deaths in England and Wales, a figure that rises to 1 in 4 deaths for women over 80. Advanced dementia is a condition many would wish to avoid. 88% of people consider the option of medically assisted dying to be acceptable for Alzheimer’s patients, before they lose mental capacity, in at least some cases. MDMD is watching developments in Canada closely in the hope that the UK can learn from their experience.’

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