Cath Henderson of Exit International says huge number on Gold Coast taking own lives
A Gold Coast advocate says a shocking number of the city’s residents are taking matters into their own hands rather than be forced to do the one thing that “terrifies” them.
Gold Coast
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TWO cancers, 12 years, multiple rounds of chemotherapy and radiation … it all added up to the fact that Joe had enough.
He was under intense medication for his constant pain, had no quality of life and hated to see his wife struggle under the burden of his care.
Loath to enter hospice care or a nursing home, Joe decided to solve the problem in his own way. He took his own life.
And his friend Cath Henderson, the Gold Coast coordinator for voluntary euthanasia advocacy group Exit International, says Joe is not alone.
While Queensland Parliament argues over adopting voluntary assisted dying legislation, Cath says people would be shocked at how many Gold Coast residents are already choosing to take their own lives rather than to continue suffering or enter aged care.
She says those numbers will not change, even if the legislation is passed in September.
“The senior citizens of this city are terrified – we are terrified of being shoved into a nursing home or forced to suffer out our last days … or decades,” says Cath.
“You wouldn’t believe the number of seniors on the Gold Coast who would literally rather die – and who are dying – than go into aged care. They are undertaking their own voluntary euthanasia, except it’s simply classified as a suicide. And the number who are doing it is incredible.
“It’s a sane, humane and rational choice to leave life at the time they desire rather than being locked away or locked into a lifetime of pain.
“The new legislation proposal is better than nothing, but not much. It won’t change what we’re fighting for, which is that any person should be able to choose at any time a painless, peaceful death.”
The voluntary assisted dying (VAD) legislation proposed for Queensland will only be eligible for residents who are over 18 and who have an eligible condition that is advanced, progressive, expected to cause death within 12 months and which causes intolerable suffering. They must have decision-making capacity and must act voluntarily and without coercion.
Each eligible resident would have to be separately and independently assessed by two doctors and make three different requests at least nine days apart from the first and last.
There would also be a review board, and medical professionals would not be allowed to “actively propose” VAD to a patient.
Cath says Joe himself would not have been eligible under the proposed rules, which she describes as “‘beg and grovel laws”.
“This legislation is a starting point at least but it’s far too restrictive and won’t help most of the members we see at our meetings,” she says.
“They are in so much pain but no doctor would say they will die in 12 months. You would not let your pet suffer like they are.
“They just want the option to go when they can’t stand it anymore. Just knowing that there is something they can do painlessly to end it makes their pain easier to bear.
“Abortion is legal so why not euthanasia? It’s not like anyone has to use it, and assisted dying is not hurting anyone else – it’s your own body, it should be your own choice. Anyone of sound mind has the right to have a reliable and peaceful death.”
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Cath says Exit International, which was founded by Australian Philip Nitschke – dubbed the “Elon Musk of assisted suicide” – was formed under the belief that a “good death” is a fundamental human right and it promotes the “right to die” for adults of sound mind aged over 50.
She says the average age of Exit members is 75 years, with the majority being the “well elderly”, while a significant minority of members are seriously ill.
“We have a ‘bible’ of sorts written by Dr Nitschke, the Peaceful Pill, that gives people options of a simple way to die. It’s banned in Australia but you can still get it online. That’s why people join our group and come to our meetings – to find out how they can die.”
Indeed, Queensland Police recently attended the home of an 84-year-old Bundaberg man after he attempted to import the banned Peaceful Pill book.
Bargara retiree David Sandford ordered the book after researching his own end-of-life options, with two police officers later arriving on his doorstep to conduct a “wellness check”. The book was seized by Australian Border Force.
Cath says while Exit International can offer a painless, peaceful death, it is also a lonely death.
“The sad thing when doing it the Exit way is that it has to be on the quiet, you can’t have family with you holding your hand because you don’t want them to be accused of assisting you,” she says.
“A lot of people leave a note to say they killed themselves and were not assisted, and also the reason that they did it: for example, they don’t want to go into a nursing home and there’s no legislation to help them. It’s their last legacy … to use their voice.
“The fact is that even though the government is putting more money into aged care, how can anything change when these businesses are run as a business? It’s about profits and returns for shareholders, not valuing the elderly.
“Even if aged care was perfect, even if palliative care was freely available, there will still be a need for voluntary assisted dying as a choice. People don’t want to be in pain and they don’t want to be a burden – physically or financially.
“Look at the numbers of our ageing population versus younger generations, this is going to be a crisis. People should be thanking us for pushing for more liberal VAD laws.”
Cath says she began campaigning for Exit International after witnessing her own father figure slowly and painfully die from Motor Neurone Disease.
She says she vowed that she would one day devote her life to ensuring that no one else had to suffer like he did.
“It was terrible. At the end he was just skin and bone, curled into the foetal position. I can still see it.
“Once I retired I devoted myself to helping others avoid that path.
“I have my own plan in place as well. I’m 72 now and in good health but I’ll reassess everything when I’m 80.
“Of course, it’s easy to say now that I’m not scared of dying, but you never know how it will be when it comes to the crunch.
“There a lot of people who talk to me about making that final decision. At first they are very sure, then as the time draws closer it’s a very different story. They have to ask themselves: will life get any better? Do I want to end up in a nursing home? What is the alternative if I don’t die soon?
“It’s their decision, absolutely. It’s important to have a plan, but they can always change that plan.
“Unfortunately, once you go into a home, it’s too late. You don’t have those options anymore.
“A couple of our members just recently couldn’t go through with the method they chose, and now they’re both in a nursing home. They hate it. They wish they were dead.”
Cath says it’s important that people know the reality of many of our seniors.
She says it’s not fair that their only choices are to live in pain, to live locked away, to die in pain or to die alone.
She says even if Queensland’s VAD laws are passed, only the “lucky” few will be allowed to die painlessly and peacefully.
“Choosing when to die should be a human right. Voluntary euthanasia shouldn’t be something that is shrouded in shame, secrecy and loneliness.
“This is happening and it’s what people want. Why do we bury our heads in the sand? We should be granting these last wishes and last rights.”
HOW COAST MPS WILL VOTE ON ASSISTED DYING BILL
By Brianna Morris-Grant
GOLD Coast MPs are calling on city residents to speak out about voluntary assisted dying as they prepare for a conscience vote later this year.
The proposed laws would legalise assisted dying “with specific safeguards” in Queensland, and follow 12 months of consultation.
There will be strict eligibility criteria in an effort to protect vulnerable people from coercion should the controversial legislation be passed.
A person must have been diagnosed with a disease, illness or medical condition that is advanced, progressive and expected to cause death within 12 months.
The person must have decision-making capacity at the time they administer a substance to cause death and two independent doctors must sign off.
Among Gold Coast city leaders who have already been outspoken on the Bill include Labor MP Meaghan Scanlon, who has previously revealed her own father’s death from cancer sparked her support for VAD.
Ms Scanlon told supporters this week: “You know my story and why I’ll be voting for this reform.
“Today is a historic step in providing choice, respect and dignity.”
The Bulletin contacted all Gold Coast MPs and asked them to specify how they plan to vote when the Bill is decided in September.
Mermaid MP Ray Stevens is the only Coast MP who did not reply.
WHAT THEY SAID
David Crisafulli – Broadwater and Opposition leader
Mr Crisafulli has told party members to vote as they see fit but declined to state his own position.
“I’m going to look at the legislation in detail and I’m going to ask every one of my team to do the same,” he said. “(The conscience vote) is the respect this deserves. It’s a serious issue and it matters to people.”
Michael Crandon – Coomera, LNP
“Obviously, there are areas that need clarification, particularly in relation to protections for vulnerable people.
“Most likely I will take (vote in favour), subject to clarification and what may come out of the Parliamentary Committees Report.”
Rob Molhoek – Southport, LNP
Mr Molhoek is the deputy chair of the Health and Environment Committee and will oversee much of the VAD debate.
Because of this he told the Bulletin: “My role is to provide everyone with a fair and compassionate hearing.
“My role as the elected Southport MP is to be a voice for my community.
“To reduce the whole debate down to a firm ‘yes’ or an absolute ‘no’ is disrespectful, not only of the parliamentary process, but my community and all those who seek to be heard.”
Sam O’Connor – Bonney, LNP
“Until the vote, it’s my job to listen to residents. So if you’re wondering what my personal view is or how I’m going to vote, you’ll have to wait a little longer,” he said.
“I want to hear what (residents) have to say about VAD without you convincing me one way or the other.”
Mark Boothman – Theodore, LNP
“I have some concerns with particular aspects of this Bill and encourage all residents to take part in the committee review process.
“It is important that with such an emotive issue we get holistic views encompassing all situations and scenarios.”
Michael Hart – Burleigh, LNP
“Personally, I support the concept of VAD but now that we actually have a Bill I need to study it closely to be sure there’s nothing contained in it that I can’t accept.
“I also want to consult with my community before locking in a position and I will be doing that over the next few weeks.”
John-Paul Langbroek – Surfers Paradise, LNP
Mr Langbroek shared with the Bulletin how he was responding to email inquiries about the Bill.
His response reads: “Mr Langbroek is currently reviewing this important piece of legislation.
“All LNP members of parliament are investigating the subject matter, engaging with their communities and receiving feedback, and will vote on their behalf.”
Meaghan Scanlon – Gaven, Labor
Ms Scanlon was vocal about her support for the Bill and VAD was a pillar of her campaign during the October election.
She plans to vote in favour of VAD.
Laura Gerber – Currumbin, LNP
“I believe no one should die alone or in pain.
“Now that my Currumbin community can see the legislation, I will be listening, engaging and ensuring I hear from them.
“I am holding listening posts on this issue and conducting a survey to ensure I hear from as many of my constituents as possible.
“I will decide if I can support the legislation on behalf of the people of Currumbin after I have consulted widely with my community.”
Ray Stevens – Mermaid Beach, LNP
Mr Stevens’ office did not reply.
Ros Bates – Mudgeeraba, LNP
“I will examine the legislation carefully. I will consult with my constituents.
“As a nurse, I have held the hands of many patients departing this life and I have always ensured that no one in my care, or members of my family, died alone, in pain or afraid.”
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