Selected Quotations
Selected Quotations from Letters and Email to Dr Nitschke during 1997/8 campaign which overturned the NT ROTI Act.
"envy peaceful death"I believe the majority of Senior Citizens and of the incurably ill envy the demise of another human being who is reported to "have died peacefully in their sleep". ... By your individual courage in understanding the dilemma and acting on behalf of the otherwise helpless and hopeless, you have lit the torch of reason and the love of man, that now burn bright in the minds and eyes of mankind world-wide. From a place of ignorance and darkness I thank you. (F, QLD)
"Christ chose death too"I fear lack of dignity and loss of independence more than physical pain. ... I am a Catholic, but Christ chose death too. ... Thank you for leading the way... (F, about 90, QLD)
"rather be dead"
- There are so many people in Nursing Homes who are all helpless and just kept alive - I know many would rather be dead. It is to be hoped that Parliament will be sensible and pass a law for the whole country to help those who want to die to be allowed to do so... (F, 84, NSW, stroke victim)
"callous minority"The Catholic Church and the life-at-any-cost advocates stick to their own narrow, rigid outmoded doctrines where suffering is sanctified and relief from suffering vilified. I am sure they are an outspoken callous minority. Those who value dignity and compassion over all else will stand by you and applaud you and, I am sure, will number in the majority.... It's a shame your colleagues, in the AMA, won't come clean and stand by you. The cynic in me suspects that the financial gains in "palliative care" matter too much to some. (F, QLD)
"no right to impose my morality upon another"
- I believe that the individual person has the right to choose when and where he/she wishes to die, as long as by their action they are not harming others. It may be immoral for me to choose to act in this way, but I have no right to impose my morality upon another... May the Lord Jesus bless you and may He give you His Peace and Love. (M, Retired Catholic Bishop)
"self-appointed moral arbiters"I fear though, self-appointed "moral" arbiters will do their best to inflict on me the unnecessary prolongation of suffering so evident in many cases, denied a dignified end of their own choice. (M, 73, scientist, NSW)
"sado-masochistic mini-dictators"You are a Saint, and a courageous man, and a real doctor ... you are 100% right in your thoughts and deeds. Those sadomasochistic parliamentarians and mini-dictators are causing such distress to a lot of people. They talk about human rights, and they want to negate the most sacrosanct one, that to choose our mortality. ... Doc Kavorkian and you should share a Nobel prize. (?, ?. NSW)
"pioneering footsteps"Next week I celebrate my seventieth year of living dangerously and I can only hope that, should I find myself in a position similar to Mr. Dent, I will be afforded the opportunity to end my life with the dignity you empowered him with ... One can live in hope there are others in the medical profession who will follow in your pioneering footsteps. (F, 70, NSW)
"Dr Hope"I fail to see that while one person condemns the use of euthanasia, the production of test tube babies is condoned. A procedure which is against the Laws of Nature, as is the practice of keeping hopelessly ill patients alive by means of drugs and cumbersome medical devices. ... I am convinced that the majority fear the "manner of death" than death itself.... ... If you must be given a "label", it should be Dr. Hope instead of Dr. Death. (F, 90, WA)
"Doctor Dignity"
- I write to support you in your enlightened approach to legally assisted voluntary euthanasia and agree that to help someone in this way is probably the greatest act of love. The type of death that increasing doses of morphine causes is cruel. I feel so angry when I see these so-called experts talking about "better palliative care" and "better pain relief" as an appropriate answer to dying with dignity when all hope of recovery is gone. My experience is that their "care" REMOVES all dignity and renders the victims (and I use the word deliberately) incapable of making any decisions for themselves. When the vomiting starts, they are terrified. I saw my brother and mother die this way and it was just too cruel. ... Every friend and family member of mine supports you. To us you are "Dr Dignity" - NEVER "Dr Death".
- (F, 60?, WA)
"obscene"The fact that those few politicians and theologians are over-riding the wish of the people is at best horrific and at worst, obscene. (F, ?, SA)
"despair the lack of humanity of the system"I write to support your courage as you try to bring euthanasia to those who choose to use it. I am a nurse ... and despair at the lack of humanity in the system ... (F, 40?, VIC)
"triumph of logic over dogma"
- My sincere congratulations on your triumph of logic over dogma. May our medical faculties follow your lead... (M, ?, Pharmacist)
"maximum cruelty""Assisted suicide is an act of maximum cruelty" said theologian Gino Concetti, but he has obviously never watched a loved one fall into deaths clutches and stay stuck between life and death for days, weeks, months. He has never had to get up at 3 am and call an ambulance because his mother's morphine pump is blocked and she is enduring phenomenal pain from her skin cells to the core of her cancer polluted bones. He has obviously never felt the pain of watching your mother die for 9 of your 15 years.... Death is a part of life, it is part of the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth. (F, 15, SA)
"instruments of experiments"I am confident in stating that 85% to 90% of the migrant population ... are in favour of Euthanasia, when "their time has come". Many abhor palliative care, and feel that they are merely instruments of experiments by the Multinational Pharmaceutical companies to test new drugs since the Animal Liberations oppose the use of primates ... (F, 68, NSW, Ex-Commonwealth Interpreter)
"have not sat with a loved one"These people who stand up and say no have not sat with a loved one, seeing them eaten away with cancer. (F, 80, NSW)
"felt so helpless"I nursed my terminally ill mother 30 years ago. She begged me to assist her in ending her pain and suffering. I felt so helpless and had no-one to share my agony with as in those days we weren't able to share "dying" with one's loved ones. ... When the going gets tough just remember there are thousands more families who believe in the choice the NT legislation provides. (F, ?, VIC)
"families helpless"Objectors such as Kevin Andrews have obviously not experienced seeing a loved on slowly die from a terrible illness, and constantly begging to be given an overdose so she wouldn't wake up, as I have done. Family members caring for a patient feel so completely helpless in trying to ease the suffering. Alleviating pain is not the only criteria for making life more bearable in the closing stages. (F, 70, VIC)
"healthy hypocrites"To my mind absolutely no-one should have the power to legislate a denial of permanent relief to such suffering humanity, to deny them the right to die with dignity. What right do healthy people within the all powerful legal lobby, or healthy people in the medical profession, healthy politicians, or healthy hypocritical so called "bishops" have to deny an end to such terrible suffering. (M, ?, NSW
"God would support my decision"I do not have a terminal disease and no-one close to me has but I have suffers physical pain and knowing that should my time come with terrible physical pain and therefore emotional anguish I would like to have a legal option to end my suffering. I am a Christian by faith and know that God would support me if I made this decision. (F, 30+, QLD)
"religious ignorance"
- All I can say is that in the future people will remember you as man before your time in an age when hypocrisy and religious ignorance still ruled. Look at Galileo - he too was reviled and pilloried for daring to suggest that the views of the Church were not truths carved in stone.... I want [my daughter] to see that people do exist who are willing to do whatever is necessary for their principles. ... this kind of legislation will eventually become totally accepted medical practice - there is no going back now.
(F, 30?, NSW) Mother with children
"lost his faith in God"Please accept our support and prayers in your courageous stand.... my father at 93, and still mentally alert but absolutely degraded, all his dignity gone, his faith in God etc, it was very painful for us to watch. Hopefully in the future common sense will prevail and we will have choices. We greatly admire your work, also the other two Doctors. (M, F, ?, family and friends, QLD)
"[religious] mumbo-jumbo"The Catholic Church which has never been a slouch in promoting mumbo-jumbo, being involved in the death of innocents and protecting its paedophilic priests has accused you of perpetrating a crime against humanity. That's a good one. (M, academic writer, WA)
"more important than landing on the moon"I consider the NT Euthanasia Bill the most important piece of legislation passed in Australia in my lifetime and I think your courageous act is far more important than a man landing on the moon by the factor of 1000... one hopes that ultimately humanity will prevail over religious and moral dogma. Like most people of my age I am not scared of death, but I am terrified of dying slowly - it must be so lonely. (M, 65, VIC)
"more than good enough [for us]"How about King George VI? I believe ... he was given lethal injection on his request to die while suffering from incurable illness. He was not only a King but Head of the Church of England and there was no ... law to do this in the UK. If it was good enough for him then we must say its more than good enough to die with dignity ... (M, 60+, SA)
"we put pets down so they do not suffer"People should have the right to Die when there is no hope... Life is funny - we put our pets down so they will not suffer, but we let humans suffer because some people say you should not take a life.... (F, "elderly", QLD)
"the other symptoms"Those who oppose euthanasia so vehemently always say that pain can be relieved in most cases, but they never speak of the other symptoms, such as nausea, the terrible indignity of incontinence, and so many other things ... (F, 60+, NSW)
"your friend and customer"I am a religious person yet as a former nurse I understand your view and ask that if the time ever comes, I will be your friend and customer. (F, ?, QLD)
"kind and humane"
- I want to tell you I support the action you have taken this week regarding helping a very sick person to die. It is a kind and humane thing to do and it is a great pity more educated people cannot agree. My nursing career spans 43 years and very often I have wished to help relieve patients and family from prolonged suffering. Please believe that many health care professionals support your action.
- (F, 60+, QLD)
"major contribution to our lives"I have spoken with many people who share my feelings and just hope that you are aware that the amount of support that exists in the community is large. Almost singlehandedly you have placed Australia at the forefront of this vital area of medicine. ... You have made a major contribution to all our lives ...I can only hope that our society will soon act to change this ludicrous and inhumane situation. ... I applaud your ... commitment to a cause that is crucial for the future of all Australians. (F, 30+, NSW)
"arrangements for his own peaceful end"As for palliative care which was so forcefully declared to be the answer to all ills by Dr. Wake, we can only say that when life is no longer worth living and one is ready to go and wishes to "go home", then no amount of palliative care will ease the burden of existing day by day waiting to make that final journey. He would no doubt make arrangements for his own peaceful end. (M, F, ?, NSW)
"as long as the cash rolls in"Not one has told the public just who does pay for the cost of these pain killing drugs administered by the visiting Dr. These visits to the bed-ridden patient at home or hospital can in some cases go on for years. ... I don't think the Drs involved want the real cost to be disclosed to the public. I never again want my life in the hands of uncaring Drs. I've been through that and don't want that experience again. How cruel and cold some can be, as long as there is a cash flow coming in.... I would like to see the individual's rights kept free. When I get older I do not want wiping and washing up after me ... I could not think of anything more dehumanizing than that... not having a say in proceedings, lying with bed sores so on, it's not life, it's cruelty... (F, 37, VIC)
"current trend to institutionalise the senile"...the present controversy, and the current trend to admit the senile to Nursing Homes, has denied many senior citizens suffering terminal illness and/or without quality of life, the assistance of their doctor to ease them out with compassion and dignity, because of the grave risk of prosecution and destruction of their career. In the past, when senior citizens were cared for in the home, the doctor was able to prescribe medication that would give relief not only from pain, but would also release them from despair and suffering by hastening their demise. (M, ?, NSW)
"wouldn't mind giving my pain to politicians"I am a person who suffers from constant, extreme pain. I do not have a terminal illness and so I will have to suffer for probably the rest of my life, and I shouldn't wish it on anyone. Mind you there are a few politicians that I wouldn't mind giving my pain to for a while so they can really experience suffering. This is not a healthy attitude but it is how they make me feel. ... I am even more aware than most just how degrading and devastating to life pain can be. I realize that at the moment euthanasia is only for the terminally ill but I hope that one day people such as myself will also have the option when we reach the stage where we can cope no more. ... May you live a long and healthy life and never have to suffer pain. (F, 32, sufferer since 5 years of degenerative nerve disease, SA)
"ordered to kill others"I find it strange indeed that I was ordered to kill others but I am denied the right to kill myself. A strange world indeed. (M, F, Veteran pensioner, NSW)
"better to be helped than blunder"Better to be helped than to blunder with pills and plastic bags. It's quite difficult to do it oneself... (F, ?, Unitarian Church)
"what right do they have"What right do those opposing the bill have to say that a person cannot make the final decision re their own body? ... I am a catholic, and I mention this only as a means to inform you how strongly I feel. (F, 50+, SA) Cancer sufferer currently in remission
"damn the anti-euthanasia forces"It's going to take a great deal more courage to withstand the onslaught of the anti-euthanasia forces... [we] are ... Anglicans... I pass on to you that our immediate families, my mates ... and the vast majority of our friends cannot understand why, where fully warranted people cannot exercise their option, people cannot exercise their option of death with dignity - easing the pain and suffering ... Damn the anti-euthanasia forces...!! (M, 50+, NSW
"laughter is the best medicine"It saddened me that Archbishop 'Clancy of the Overflow'ing Compassion was very depressed that someone could have escaped from a painful life. perhaps he could get some counseling and some pain killers for his headache - bearing in mind that God might regard this as unnatural intervention and cane him at the Pearly Gates. ... Laughter is the Best Medicine. (F, ?, NSW)
"silent majority"I commend and endorse all you have done. ... I feel every person has a right to decide what to do with their lives, especially when they are terminally ill and in pain. ... I assure you that everyone I have spoken to about this voluntary euthanasia agrees with the principle. Please keep on fighting for the silent majority. PS, I have never done this [write a letter] in my life. (M, 40+?, NSW)
"ultimate fear"My ultimate fear is that I will in time become ill with a terminal disease and suffer a painful death, I believe that I should have the right to say when I have suffered enough and it infuriates me to think that governments and religious people think that they can tell me otherwise. (F, 46, NSW)
OPPONENTS"sincere, intelligent, but misguided"
I support your courage and audacity although I can't say I agree with you. I believe you are a sincere, intelligent, even noble person, but ... unfortunately misguided. ... You must be of extreme confidence to mediate between life and death. I marvel at your ingenuity and vulnerability... (F, 50+, VIC)
"surrender this work please"Why do you do this thing on euthanasia? It really sounds awful, and to actually see these people die ... Your name sounds Polish or German, you must have a good spiritual upbringing! I am a Hungarian by birth, and proud of my heritage. I beg you to think carefully of your deeds ... Let it go ... lay your gadget to rest and on one side! It must be very taxing for you and it really doesn't bring you peace! Please consider my plea! May God love you and His Spirit guide you arright! Surrender this work, please! (F, 60? NSW)
"interfering with God's purposes"We write to you in Christian love as two who have been praying for you and against the continuation of the practice of euthanasia. Whilst you are convinced you are trying to help mankind, we KNOW you will never find peace while you are interfering with God's purposes. He alone is the author, sustainer and taker of life. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to bring us abundant life on this earth through faith, by His death and resurrection. He also promised us we would have suffering but that "we would not suffer above what we could cope with". Suffering sometimes is the crisis that makes us really think about our mortality and brings us to faith and salvation. Premature termination of life denies a person this opportunity. ...The GOOD NEWS is that Jesus came to bring forgiveness and if you can't get the killing off you conscience, ask Christ to forgive you and be your personal Saviour. (M,F, ?,?, VIC)
"reckless life"I ... believe firmly in ANTI-Euthanasia. My own very personal brush with death is a personal testimony of how thankful I am to be extremely well and healthy. In 1993 I was a total write-off, now I am thankful to our Perfect Creator for my life as it is today. ... My deceased husband led a reckless life, always saying "Live Fast and Die Young!" but when he was diagnosed terminally ill with Bowel and Liver Cancer with three months to live, it was an entirely different attitude. Even with all the pain and discomfort, he miraculously clung to life, even amazing the medical profession. Thirteen months later he died naturally,because he had the will to live and sort out all his guilty feelings; and then peacefully met his Maker.(F, 60+, VIC)
