Sign up for the editor's
weekly newsletter
- Sweden edition
- Change edition:
- France |
- Germany |
- Norway |
- Switzerland
Reader Offer
February 14, 2012
Paralysed woman demands right to die
Published: 18 Mar 10 09:35 CET | Double click on a word to get a translation
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/25596/20100318/
A 31-year-old woman who is completely paralysed and has been on a respirator since she was six, has demanded the right to die in a letter to the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen).
- Cop suspected of 'torturing' accused doc (25 Jan 12)
- Swedish doc accuses police of misconduct (5 Jan 12)
- Doc acquitted of having caused baby's death (21 Oct 11)
The woman was born with a neurological illness that has led to a continuous deterioration of her condition. In her letter to the board she writes that she would have suffocated herself if only she had been able.
"I can not breathe by myself. Not a single breath. I am not able to move at all," she wrote in the letter dictated to two counsellors at Danderyd Hospital in Stockholm.
The woman has asked the welfare board that she be allowed to be put to sleep so that she can die with dignity.
"It is my express wish that the respirator is turned off after I have been put to sleep," she wrote.
The 31-year-old's situation brings the controversial issue of euthanasia, and a patient's right to decide over their own life-support treatment, into the spotlight.
The Swedish Society of Medicine's ethics delegation argues that the woman has the right to decide whether her care should be discontinued, but has written to the welfare board to seek clarification.
"It is a difficult balance between the patient's right to say no to continued treatment and the deliberate action required to end life support," said Maria Jacobsson at the welfare board to the newspaper.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
Fark It!
Digg This
Share everywhere
Send to a friend
Printable version
Twitter ThisToday's headlines
GOTHENBURG SCHOOL STABBING
Man held for stabbing Swedish 10-year-old
A 28-year-old man suspected of stabbing a young girl in the throat at the beginning of February has been apprehended and is being held in another country pending Sweden's extradition demand. READ (1 COMMENT) »
Swedish man lay 'dead for weeks' in Lund flat
A man in Lund, southern Sweden, lay dead in his house for weeks before his body was discovered, as visiting care staff had left after the man failed to answer his door. READ (2 COMMENTS) »
Sweden expels foreign official: report
The Swedish government said on Tuesday it has expelled a foreign diplomat, but spokespeople were unwilling to confirm international reports that it was a high level official from Rwanda. READ »
THE LOCAL LIST
Sweden's seven 'sexiest' places explored
On Valentine's Day, The Local invites you on a journey of seduction through Sweden, a country which may be worth probing further when it comes to matters of love. READ (3 COMMENTS) »
Valentine's Day in Sweden - readers' sweet tweets and love stories
With Valentine's day upon us again, The Local called for messages from the star-crossed lovers of Sweden, who sent us their loving letters and sweet tweets in a celebration of love in Sweden. READ (2 COMMENTS) »
Swedish tourist halted for having 'terrorist name'
A Swedish man set to take off on his "dream holiday" to Mexico was turned away before boarding, as flight officials claimed he shared the name of a wanted terrorist. READ (19 COMMENTS) »
Swedish man suspected of 'kidnapping himself'
A 29-year-old man in northern Sweden has been remanded into custody together with an accomplice after trying to extort money from his parents by pretending he had been kidnapped. READ (5 COMMENTS) »
Sweden at ’real risk’ of terror: government
The Swedish Government has penned a new terror strategy, upgrading Sweden’s risk status since the last plan four years ago, calling for an ‘inter-agency cooperation’ in the fight to counter terror in Sweden. READ (11 COMMENTS) »
More Society
- 14/02 Swedish man lay 'dead for weeks' in Lund flat (2 comments) »
- 14/02 Sweden's seven 'sexiest' places explored (3 comments) »
- 14/02 Valentine's Day in Sweden - readers' sweet tweets and love stories (2 comments) »
- 14/02 Swedish tourist halted for having 'terrorist name' (19 comments) »
- 14/02 Swedish man suspected of 'kidnapping himself' (5 comments) »
- 13/02 Dramatic rise in dementia numbers in Sweden (3 comments) »
- 13/02 Swedish town gives 'Negro Village' new name (18 comments) »
- 13/02 German 'tourist' living in Gothenburg airport (16 comments) »
- 13/02 One in five Swedes 'believes in ghosts' (18 comments) »
- 13/02 Swedish blogger snaps commuting 'macho men' (46 comments) »
20 things to know before moving to Sweden
As diverse as Sweden is, there are a few societal norms that are distinctly Swedish. Understanding a handful of them will hopefully prepare you culturally before you relocate. When you're invited home to a Swede, you better be on time and take your shoes off, writes expat Lola Akinmade-Åkerström. Read more »
How far can English take you in Sweden?
Sweden is a country where almost everyone can speak English. So why bother to learn Swedish? Edina Varnagy from Hungary managed with English for a whole year but then found that Swedish could open doors – to a job, a social life and greater understanding. Read more »
Blog Update: Julie's Nordic Island
"The ice dripped in the winter sun. It was the first day when the light had been intense enough to cause dripping in the sunlight. To hear it was an extraordinary wakeup call. The cycle was happening again as it always does, always will (or so we think). I imagined that on my summer island, the bees..." READ »
- 11/2 09:27 Fika Quiz (The Swedish Teacher)
- 10/2 10:47 Reefer Madness (110% LAGOM)
- 07/2 12:55 Queen of Diamonds (The Diplomatic Dispatch)
Highlights
|
|
Swedish word of the day
fin
adjective
Fin means anyhting from sweet to proper. When someone says, Du är så fin it's quite a compliment.
Latest news from The Local in Germany
- 14/02 Merkel pledges more EU sanctions against Syria »
- 14/02 Six little pigs find new mum - a bulldog »
More news from Germany at thelocal.de
Latest news from The Local in Switzerland
- 14/02 Swiss stick with Swedish jets to replace fleet »
- 14/02 Geneva rents: World's 7th most expensive city »
More news from Switzerland at thelocal.ch
Latest news from The Local in France
- 14/02 Record year for French wine and spirits exports »
- 14/02 Police turn to France, Facebook in Norway gunman probe »
More news from France at thelocal.fr
Latest news from The Local in Norway
- 14/02 Norway killer and Dutch MP in fictional meeting »
- 14/02 Facebook and France in focus in Breivik probe »
More news from Norway at thelocal.no
Blog
New book about Sweden – get to know the country
Sweden – Up North, Down to Earth is a book about Sweden today. A country of natural beauty and open space, and a society focused on equality, human rights and sustainability. Meet regular and astonishing Swedes, supercars and indie rock bands, vampires and royalties.
Buy your copy of Sweden – Up North, Down to Earth from Sweden Bookshop
In cooperation with DoToday
Register
Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss
Jobs in Sweden, in English
522 jobs available
250 new jobs this week
45 new jobs today
- Financial Controller
- Business Controller
- Technical Sales Service Specialist (m/f)
- Software Engineer - Online
- Data Warehouse Developer for DONG Energy IT
- Build Master
- Line Manager
- Software Engineer - Gameplay/Audio
- Univar recruits Accounting Manager/Financial Controller to be based in Malmö
- Purchasing Program Manager
Noticeboard
- 13/02 Looking for a long term appartment
- 13/02 Babysitter
- 13/02 flat or room available
- 13/02 Party Photographer
- 13/02 Apartment Near Arlanda
- 13/02 Apartment Needed Immediately
Discuss
- 20:51 E-Mail replies from Swedish Businesses
- 19:40 SFI - personal number loop...
- 19:17 Upper abdominal pain
- 18:20 Need to replace windows
- 18:05 Women drivers & safety
- 17:52 Where do you live?
- 17:39 Big Fat Gypsy weddings
- 16:58 Volunteering in Sweden
- 16:01 What is death?
- 15:43 Tax deductible for rented property
Turning Point Counseling
Turning Point Counselling centre offers the international community of Stockholm a safe space for personal development, counselling and coaching.
http://www.turning-point.se/show.asp
Turning Point Counselling centre offers the international community of Stockholm a safe space for personal development, counselling and coaching.
http://www.turning-point.se/show.asp
Swedish Down Town
Swedish Down Town PR Consulting and Productions is an innovative business company which provides valuable assistance with Public Relations and Communications in the swedish and the international market.
www.swedishdowntown.com
Swedish Down Town PR Consulting and Productions is an innovative business company which provides valuable assistance with Public Relations and Communications in the swedish and the international market.
www.swedishdowntown.com
The Local's new Marketplace
Find products and services that are specifically focused on English speakers living in Sweden!
FULL DETAILS
Find products and services that are specifically focused on English speakers living in Sweden!
FULL DETAILS
English Speaking Therapist Stockholm
British-Australian Male Counsellor. Counselling Therapy for Depression, Mental Health, Sex, Relationship & Expat Issues
08-559 22 636 or CLICK HERE
British-Australian Male Counsellor. Counselling Therapy for Depression, Mental Health, Sex, Relationship & Expat Issues
08-559 22 636 or CLICK HERE
Counseling in English
Individuals & Couples - Stockholm Beth Rogerson PhD - Clinical, Marriage & Family Therapist
Click or call 08-5580 1266 now
Individuals & Couples - Stockholm Beth Rogerson PhD - Clinical, Marriage & Family Therapist
Click or call 08-5580 1266 now
Doctor of Psychology
Therapy in English in Stockholm Trained in California Individuals & Couples (08) 93 81 48 FREE phone consultation
Visit anxiousorblue.se
Therapy in English in Stockholm Trained in California Individuals & Couples (08) 93 81 48 FREE phone consultation
Visit anxiousorblue.se
Get on the Tennis Court with www.babolatshop.se
The new Online Tennis Store with the largest selection of Babolat Products in Sweden
http://www.babolatshop.se
The new Online Tennis Store with the largest selection of Babolat Products in Sweden
http://www.babolatshop.se
Your comments about this article:
The comments below have not been moderated in advance and are not produced by The Local unless clearly stated. Readers are responsible for the content of their own comments. Comments that breach our terms and conditions will be removed.
But from her point of view, it is a different thing.
I am very uncomfortable with this, but in this case I do understand her reasons.
Let's hope none of us ever need to wish for euthanasia for ourselves or for someone we love,
Best regards
Kaz,
member of RTVD
www.rtvd.nu
In Belgium the rising of a person from a comma that lasted for about 20 years has become another excuse not to rush in pronouncing a dead person dead. The Belgium man is awake but in terrible condition. Deformed and with very little capacity to talk or do anything by himself. I hope he writes about his ordeal.
The amount of money spent to force this woman live could have rented apartment for 1000 homless persons, who otherwise love life but failed to make decent lives for themselves.
Thousands of new fetuses are terminated each year. This show how wrong our value system is .....
May your wishes come true for you.
Human life is as sacred as any living thing only when humans are constructive. But when humans are destructive they are as notorious as the diseases that we abhor.
I agree. I was speaking more in the abstract, regarding the sanctity of life.
We have had people climb mount everest with no legs, I've seen a man with no lower torso - absolutely nothing from the naval down - using a skate board to get around UNIVERSITY. There is so much power within the human mind if it is given even a slight glimmer of hope. This is what this woman needs in my opinion. Not the choice to turn off the machine, but the choice between what type of mobile respirator she could chose to go with her mobility unit.
For crying out loud we had f11 stealth bombers in the 70s, years before they were made public knowledge. And it makes you wonder what there is today that is being used for futile things like war, that could give that glimmer of hope for this poor woman who has given up of any chance of a better life.
We are the only animals on earth that commit suicide, why are we not asking why?
Who told you so? Science has not agreed on that yet, some also support the idea of some species stop feeding or take other radical decisions that will lead the to death. Suicide is not always the way we take it in our knowledge. Of course you won't see a whale entering a gun shop and buying a riffle.
On the other hand all those cases that you are explaining are related to people with other personality types too, we can not generalize, there is perfectly healthy people who just want to spend their lives lying in bed depressed and lots of others that just don't want to live. It is not a matter of giving her hope it is a matter of respecting individual decisions.
And as for the medical industry, well, it is what it is an industry, sad but true. Does it really surprise you that some diseases are still around? Does it seem to you as it is a matter of investigation founding? I don't think so.
Just as this person, plugged and dependent to a hospital and medicines keeps the money rolling to that industry, and that is what they ultimatly want not her decision.
I personally don't know how I would react in her position, I am too much of a coward I guess to take such a radical decision, but if it is what she wants... She knows better than us how it feels to be 25 years living under those circumstances.
I could NEVER take that decision for a family member though. It is a tough topic to give an opinion on.
I hope they won't make her suffer any more.
God help her.
All those who agree to sleep her permanently, will also say the same if unfortunately they have their beloved family member in the same position ?
The amount of money spent to force this woman live could have rented apartment for 1000 homless persons, who otherwise love life but failed to make decent lives for themselves (by Audrian)
@Audrian, it is not ALWAYS good to think like that.
"All those who agree to sleep her permanently, will also say the same if unfortunately they have their beloved family member in the same position ?"
Yes, I would agree in a heartbeat if a member of my family in that position wanted to go peacefully. Of course it would hurt and I'd be sad but I'd also be happy that they weren't suffering anymore and that I had been able to give them one last gift of honoring their wishes for a peaceful ending.
Living trapped in a body that cannot breathe and cannot move would be the worst kind of prison for most people. Having someone else's moral code forcing you stay in that state longer than you want would be a nightmare.
With today's technology it's possible to keep many people "alive" in some form or another almost indefinately. Common sense and respect must grow alongside technology so that we can continue to not only know what we're capable of doing but what we should be doing.
We thankfully, can help our furry family members pass peacefully when it's their time. Why can't we don't that for everyone?
Have you ever seen someone in an iron lung? All that shows is their face. All they can move is their eyes. They have a mirror in front of them so they can see themselves and a bit around them. This woman has been in this condition for 25 years. She has seen no life. She sees no nature unless it is a picture someone shows her. What kind of hope do you propose we give her? To get married, have kids, climb mount everest? It is just too cruel.
BTW, humans are not the only creatures to take their own lives. I can think of whales and dolphins to name a few and euthanasia happens in nature all the time, but not for the benefit of the individual but of the collective. Many groups of animals leave old, sick and feeble individuals behind to starve when their condition puts the group's well-being at risk.
and royce that might be the dumbest thing ive every heard. ya legless people have climbed MT. everest..... but how many compared to how many are legless? people can also play sports, but i cant........ not sure what your point is, everyone is different with a different brain and thoughts and will power. Oh and many different species commit suicide, were just the only nosy ones that care about other people doing it.
One of the craziest things about we earthlings is how many are so excited that with new medical advances we might prolong the human life and make living well into our 100s the norm, while at the same time when most people hit about 60 they seem to think living to 80 is not too pleasant after all. It all seems very mixed up.
I guess we need to face facts, God wants us to think of the hereafter and where we will spend eternity. We can't deny that we are all living under the curse and that the bodies we have been given thus far are not to be trifled with. I guess some will get glorified bodies when Jesus comes for His own and others will spend eternity in the lake of fire. It is better to repent, believe, and follow Jesus than to suffer the latter. I hope others agree.
The girl should have her choice.