Category Archives: Euthanasia

On Tuesday we publishedthe story of Joe Mudukiza - a man in his late twenties battling sickle cell disease. The excruciating pain he experiences on a regular basis has had a debilitating effect on his life, to the point where he has considered requesting assisted suicide to end his suffering. Joe is a father of six and the constant agony has made it difficult for him to lead a normal life and provide for his family.

After the article was published, many Kenyans expressed an interest in understanding the procedure and its legal status in Kenya.

Like Joe, many Kenyans are facing chronic illness and considering options that are unimaginable to most. This raises crucial questions about euthanasia, also known as assisted dying: what exactly is the practice? Where does it stand legally and ethically in Kenya, and which countries have legalised it?

We spoke to Dennis M. Nkarichia, a constitutional lawyer specialising in medical law.

That depends on the context in which it is used. At a basic level, euthanasia is any deliberate intervention in a person's medical trajectory to alleviate pain and must be provided by a licensed medical service provider. If not, it becomes murder or manslaughter. If the person carries it out on themselves, it would be classified as suicide.

There are three types of assisted suicide. There's voluntary euthanasia, which is the deliberate ending of a person's life at their request and is legal in a growing number of countries. This happens when the patient is conscious and able to give informed consent to the medical procedure.

The second is involuntary euthanasia, which occurs when a patient is unable to give consent. In some jurisdictions it is permitted in certain circumstances, either in an active or passive form. You may have given someone a power of attorney and they can decide what's in your best interests because they know your social background, your religious background and your value system.

The third is involuntary euthanasia, which is carried out without the patient's consent or against his or her wishes. The most common form is capital punishment, where the state carries out the death sentence after convicting someone of a capital crime.

The difference is legal. It is not the outcome, because the outcome is the same - the ending of human life. The difference lies in how consent is obtained (if any) and the circumstances in which the end of life is carried out.

Medical protocols depend on the patient's medical condition and the laws of the country. If it is a voluntary decision, the first step is to assess the patient's mental state to ensure that the decision is in their best interests and that they understand the implications of the decision. The doctor then determines the appropriate prescription to be given to the patient to end their life. The patient then injects or ingests the medication and euthanasia is carried out.

In the US, some state laws allow involuntary euthanasia for comatose or medically assisted patients. In such cases, the first step is to determine the patient's ability to recover and the extent to which they will be able to regain a dominant percentage of their neurological and physical function. Once this has been determined, they will also consider whether the patient has what we call an Advanced Directive for Refusal of Treatment (ADRT).

This means that if a patient has requested it in an emergency, the doctor will know that they've asked not to be resuscitated. Even countries that allow it have strict safeguards to prevent abuse. These safeguards, which often include multiple assessments and independent reviews, aim to ensure that patients make informed and voluntary decisions, free from coercion or undue influence.

Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland and all Australian states. Some states in the USA allow physician-assisted suicide, in which the patient self-administer medication, but not active euthanasia. In Portugal and New Zealand, legislation has been passed but is awaiting regulation. No African country currently allows euthanasia.

There hasn't been any substantive attempt to change the euthanasia laws in Kenya, and they are shaped by what I would call the country's Judeo-Christian religious background.

The current constitution has created a two-tier approach where the right to life is not absolute and secondly, if there's legislation that provides for the restriction of that right to life, then that legislation is permissible and constitutional.

It also goes on to provide for the medical exception for pregnant women, but in a specific situation where the life of the pregnant mother is in danger and a competent medical practitioner determines that it would be better to have an abortion to preserve the life of the mother. Then abortion is permitted. This is a form of permitted involuntary euthanasia for the foetus. However, many people regard life as sacrosanct and would not want to pursue euthanasia because of the slippery slope argument.

The first thing we have to remember is that in the Kenyan education system, locally trained doctors take the Hippocratic oath; a binding commitment that they will not kill a patient.

Every country has this code of conduct in its statutes.

In particular, the difference between euthanasia and murder is legal because the effect is the same.

Take the case of 2019, Republic vs. Emmanuel Kiprotich Sigei & Irene Sigei, where the parents of a one-and-a-half-year-old child were convicted of murder. Their defence was that their child was crawling and sickly with flu. The court rejected the defence and sentenced them to 15 years in prison.

In contrast, in the South African case of Stransham-Ford v Minister of Justice and Correctional Services and others, Mr Ford petitioned the court for an order allowing his doctors to assist him to end his life. Like Kenya, South Africa does not have an explicit law permitting euthanasia. But by arguing that the right to life entitled him to die with dignity, Mr Ford persuaded the High Court to grant his application for physician-assisted death. He died while awaiting the verdict.

If you compare the two cases, you will find that in both countries there is no law that explicitly allows euthanasia. Secondly, you cannot actively assist someone else to commit euthanasia if it is not expressly permitted. Had the Kenyan couple sought a medical opinion and then applied for a court order, their case would have sought to draw parallels with the South African case and arguments in favour of promoting the right to life as including the right to die with dignity.

It's called death tourism. Generally, you don't need much documentation, depending on the country you visit. Usually all you need is a diagnosis of incurable and terminal illness.

Hypothetically, if you travel to countries that allow it, it's just to see a doctor. Once you go to the doctor, they will assess you and determine your medical condition, which is always the first step because it's a criminal offence to kill someone.

Once they have determined that your cognitive functions are in order, they move on to the second step. This involves writing a prescription that will cause minimal pain. The patient then takes the medication to achieve the expected result. This is the most common.

The legal or financial hurdles vary from country to country.

From a legal and ethical point of view, what are some important considerations for someone considering euthanasia abroad, especially in places where it's illegal, such as Kenya?

From a legal perspective, if the country does not have an explicit law or regulatory framework allowing physician-assisted death, then any involvement in the issue is legally questionable. On a strict interpretation of the law, any involvement is potentially an accessory to murder, manslaughter or assisted suicide.

One must therefore consider that the interaction should, strictly speaking, be hypothetical or otherwise as a discourse that seeks to explore the issue. To make specific and detailed recommendations or suggestions could be construed as an active step in the euthanasia process. It would potentially open one up to the charge of aiding and abetting a criminal offence.

The crux of the matter is clearly whether the right to life includes the right to die with dignity.

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All you need to know about euthanasia - Nation

CINCINNATI, Feb. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Home with Dignity, a leading mobile in-home euthanasia service for pets, is now offering Cincinnati pet owners a compassionate alternative to traditional veterinary clinics when saying goodbye to their beloved pets. Founded on principles of empathy and compassion, Home with Dignity provides a serene environment for pets to peacefully pass away in the comfort of their homes.

Their mission is to honor the bond between pets and their owners with compassion and dignity. Equipped with advanced medical amenities and staffed by experienced veterinarians, Home with Dignity ensures a gentle and empathetic end-of-life experience for pets and their owners.

In addition to euthanasia services, Home with Dignity offers comprehensive support for pet owners facing end-of-life decisions, grief resources, tele-advice, and assistance with aftercare options. Since its launch, Home with Dignity has received praise from clients for its compassionate and personalized approach to pet care.

"Making the decision to say goodbye to your pet is one of the hardest choices pet owners have to make," said Dr. Pam Kloepfer, Lead Veterinarian at Home With Dignity in Cincinnati. "My goal is to make that experience as comfortable as I can for the pet owner and their pet, and part of that is choosing to grieve at home."

Pet owners who might need help knowing when it is time may also reach out to the Home With Dignity team for help assessing their quality of life. In partnership with the Home With Dignity team, every pet owner can feel more supported in making the best decision for their pet.

For more information, visit https://homewithdignity.comor contact our Care Coordination Team at (513) 993-6311 or via email at [emailprotected].

About Home with Dignity: Founded by Dr. Jim Humphries in 2015, Home with Dignity is a mobile in-home euthanasia service for pets that operates in over ten cities nationwide. With a strong commitment to providing compassionate end-of-life care, Home with Dignity understands the unique bond between pets and their owners. The service strives to offer a peaceful and dignified farewell in the comforting and familiar environment of the pet's own home.

Media Contact: Kim Johannpeter | Director of Operations Home with Dignity [emailprotected] (217) 710-5441

SOURCE Home With Dignity

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Home with Dignity Enters Cincinnati, Ohio, Revolutionizing In-Home Euthanasia for Pets - PR Newswire

NEW YORK The Canadian government remains just as committed to its drive to expand assisted suicide despite a decision to postpone expanding current euthanasia policy to include people suffering solely from mental illness, the countrys bishops have warned.

As a result, the postponement doesnt represent good news, with the bishops citing the governments unwavering commitment to the legislation.

The Canadian government announced on 1 February that it had introduced legislation to postpone the expansion to its assisted suicide law, formally known as Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID), for three years. The expansion was set to go into effect 17 March 2024. It is now scheduled to go into effect 17 March 2027.

The federal governments decision to simply postpone legislation that would broaden the eligibility for Medical Assistance in Dying, which is assisted suicide or euthanasia, to persons suffering solely from mental illness, is not good news, Bishop William McGrattan of Calgary toldCruxin a statement.

Despite the opposition that has been voiced by mental health practitioners, disability groups, faith communities, and even several provincial Ministers of Health, the federal government remains fully committed to implementing this legislation, which received Royal Assent on 9 March 2023, added McGrattan, the president of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops.

MAID was enacted in 2016. The initial language of the law meant people eligible for assisted suicide included those who have a grievous and irremediable medical condition and those whose natural death was reasonably foreseeable. However, in March 2021, the reasonably foreseeable language was repealed, thus expanding the law to allow any eligible person to pursue assisted suicide regardless of whether their natural death is reasonably foreseeable.

The 2021 expansion also included people with mental illnesses, on the proviso of a two-year study for experts to recommend the protocols and safeguards that should be followed. The Canadian government has essentially extended that review of protocols and safeguards for another three years.

Under Canadas current MAID law, people suffering solely from a mental illness who meet all the eligibility criteria and safeguards would have been eligible for MAID as of March 17, 2024, the Canadian government announced 1 Feb. 2024.

It added that while important progress has been made to prepare for MAID eligibility for persons whose sole medical condition is mental illnessin its consultations with the provinces, territories, medical professionals, people with lived experience and other stakeholders, the Government of Canada has heard and agrees that the health system is not yet ready for this expansion.

The postponement, according to the government, provides more time for provinces to prepare their health systems for the expansion, including the development of policies, standards, guidance and resources to provide MAID in situations where a persons sole underlying condition is mental illness.

The Canadian government has also proposed the creation of a new joint parliamentary committee specifically to further study the MAID expansion.

After thoughtful consideration, we believe an additional extension, until March 17, 2027, is necessary, Arif Virani, the Attorney General of Canada, said in a statement accompanying the governments announcement. The healthcare system must first be ready to safely provide MAID to persons whose sole medical condition is a mental illness before that access can be granted.

Canadas Catholic bishops have been steadfastly opposed to assisted suicide in all of its forms. In a 30 Nov. 2023 statement, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) implied that government officials and outside organizations have applied pressure to Catholic Canadian healthcare institutions to perform assisted suicide. They iterated that the practice does not and will not take place in Catholic institutions.

Today, there are 129 Catholic healthcare providers across Canada, accounting for nearly 20,000 healthcare beds. These facilities are supported by 19 dioceses and 14 Catholic sponsors. They span across six provinces and 27 health regions and authorities.

Euthanasia and assisted suicide (MAID) have always been, and will always be, morally unacceptable because they are affronts to human dignity and violations of natural and divine law, the bishops said. Catholic healthcare affirms that every person, made in the image of God, has intrinsic value, regardless of ability or health.

For these reasons, we, the members of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, unanimously and unequivocally oppose the performance of either euthanasia or assisted suicide (MAID) within health organizations with a Catholic identity, the bishops continued. We oppose efforts by governments or others to compel such facilities to perform MAID in violation of Catholic teachings.

Anything to the contrary would deeply betray the identities of these institutions as Catholic and would not be in keeping with the Churchs moral teachings on the sanctity of life and the dignity of the human person, the bishops added.

Canadas bishops advocate for a greater investment in mental health resources.

According to data published by the Canadian government, in 2022 there were 13,241 assisted suicide deaths, accounting for 4.1 per cent of all deaths in the country. That 2022 figure represents a growth rate of 31.2 per cent over 2021, when there were 10,092 assisted suicide deaths. The government data shows that between 2016 when it was legalised and 2022, there were 44,958 assisted suicide deaths.

By multiple accounts, these figures are among the highest in the world. The situation in Canada regarding assisted suicide, especially the degree of mission creep occurring, is causing concern in the likes of the UK, especially among its Catholic leaders, where there are similar moves at the governmental level to expand and liberalise current euthanasia policy.

We cannot emphasize enough how important it is for public healthcare to invest more in mental health resources, the Canadian bishops said in their 30 Nov. statement.

This investment is urgently needed, not only because of the present mental health crisis in which needs far exceed resources, but because discouragement and despair can also result from this very scarcity of reachable, reliable, and robust support.

Photo: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau gives a thumbs up as he arrives to deliver his victory speech at the Fairmount Queen Elizabeth Hotel following parliamentary elections, Montreal, Quebec, 21 September 2021. Canadians returned the liberal prime minister to power after a hotly contested election against a relatively unknown conservative leader. (Photo by ANDREJ IVANOV/AFP via Getty Images.)

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Despite postponement, Canadian government 'fully committed' to expanding assisted suicide, warn country's bishops - Catholic Herald Online

Published Feb 20, 2024, 14:16:06 GMTLast updated Feb 20, 2024, 14:16:04 GMT

Dame Esther Rantzen explained the main reason why shes choosing to die by euthanasia.

The legendary broadcaster and ChildLine founder announced late last year that she had joined Dignitas, a Swiss organisation for assisted dying.

Rantzen was diagnosed with terminal cancer last year and has campaigned for a parliamentary debate and a free vote to legalise assisted dying.

Currently, in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, assisted suicide is banned with a maximum prison sentence of 14 years.

Theres no specific offence for it in Scotland, but euthanasia is illegal and can be prosecuted as murder or manslaughter.

The 83-year-old therefore joined the Swiss company as a precautionary measure if the law does not change in time.

She also told LBCs Nick Ferrari that in her final hours after flying off to Zurich with her nearest and dearest and tuck into a big dinner the night before.

Id love caviar, if possible. The fact it doesnt always agree with me doesnt matter, does it? I could even have champagne, which Im deeply allergic to, she said.

Then the next day, go to this rather unappealing place where they do it. Listen to a favourite piece of music, say goodbye to everybody.

Previously speaking about her decision to join Dignitas, on Radio 4s Today Podcast, Rantzen said it was driven in part by her wish that her family's last memories of [her] are not painful because if you watch someone you love having a bad death, that memory obliterates all the happy times.

While chatting to Ferrari, she said shed like her family to feel that I had died happy. However, she said the laws around assisted dying are a mess at the moment as her family could end up being accused of murder if they travelled to Dignitas with her.

Along with Daily Express and campaigners Dignity in Dying, Rantzen launched a petition demanding this parliamentary vote racking up 120,000 signatures in about three weeks.

Sarah Wootton, chief executive of Dignity in Dying, told the PA news agency: Dame Esther Rantzen speaks for countless families up and down the country, from all walks of life, who are demanding change.

The iconic broadcaster also said to Radio Times: The law at the moment just doesnt work. Anyone supporting change should please, please, write to their MP. Ive signed up to Dignitas and going to Zurich is still an option Im considering if my life gets unendurable.

However, if I ask my children to come with me, so I can say goodbye surrounded by my nearest and dearest, when they return they still risk being charged with conspiring to murder me. When in fact, although they support my right to choose, it is entirely my decision.

Topics:Cancer, Celebrity, Health, World News, UK News

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Dame Esther Rantzen explained main reason why she's choosing to die by euthanasia - LADbible

Published Feb 20, 2024, 07:29:40 GMTLast updated Feb 20, 2024, 07:31:41 GMT

Dame Esther Rantzen has shared her heartbreaking final wish as she prepares euthanasia.

The legendary broadcaster and founder of the charity helpline Childline was diagnosed with terminal cancer last year.

The 83-year-old has decided to fly to the Switzerland-based euthanasia clinic Dignitas and is calling for a change in law so that physician-assisted suicide is legal in the UK.

In an interview with the Radio Times, Rantzen said: Having been diagnosed with stage four lung cancer, Im now, at the age of 83, dedicated to a new campaign close to my heart to change the law on assisted dying. Im optimistic about the prospect of that being legalised within ten years because there is now a huge majority of the public in favour of change.

The law at the moment just doesnt work. Anyone supporting change should please, please, write to their MP. Ive signed up to Dignitas and going to Zurich is still an option Im considering if my life gets unendurable.

However, if I ask my children to come with me, so I can say goodbye surrounded by my nearest and dearest, when they return they still risk being charged with conspiring to murder me. When in fact, although they support my right to choose, it is entirely my decision.

Rantzen has also shared her wishes for her final hours, telling LBCs Nick Ferrari: Id like to fly off to Zurich with my nearest and dearest. Have a fantastic dinner the night before. Id love caviar, if possible. The fact it doesnt always agree with me doesnt matter, does it? I could even have champagne, which Im deeply allergic to.

Then the next day, go to this rather unappealing place where they do it. Listen to a favourite piece of music, say goodbye to everybody.

"I'll tell them to 'cheer up, Im meeting my late husband, my departed dog and my mother at the pearly gates' and hold out my hand for an injection or open my mouth for a rather disgusting medication."

When asked how she would like her family to remember her, she replied: "I would like them to feel that I had died happy. I've had a very lucky life, I've got an amazing family and group of friends and colleagues.

"I'd like to say goodbye fairly gracefully and then go."

Rantzen has shared a letter she hopes members of the public will send to their MPs in which she asks for a full debate in the House of Commons on the subject of assisted dying. She also wants a promise of a free vote on the subject; to be included in all parties manifestos ahead of the next general election.

Topics:Cancer, Celebrity, UK News

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Dame Esther Rantzen reveals her final wish as she prepares for euthanasia - LADbible

Lauren Hoeve also posted a meme on her X account before being euthanised

A 28-year-old woman from the Netherlands who documented her battle with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), also known as CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome), died on January 27, 2024, after being euthanised.

Lauren Hoeve posted her final message on her blog 'brain fog' on January 24 and she announced her last day would be Saturday (January 27). She also posted a meme before being euthanised on her X account.

In her post, she thanked everyone who has been there for her during her illness, especially in the time before she announced her euthanasia wish. She informed her followers that her euthanasia would take place sometime on Saturday between 1:30 pm and 2:30 pm.

She wrote, "If we have known each other long and well or only a little, it doesn't matter. Through you all, I have felt less alone, and I am very grateful for that."

"Please don't wish me a good trip, I wish I was going on a trip (a beach holiday would be nice)..."

She wrote, "In her final message, Lauren wrote: "I chose to make the date and time public because you have all been so excited for this moment with me. I know from experience how supportive it can be to know when it is happening so that you can reflect on it for a moment or light a candle if you wish."

Ms Hoeve started documenting her application for euthanasia in 2022 on her blog. She was diagnosed with ME in 2019, and also has autism, anxiety, and ADHD, Mirror reported.

In Hoeve's blog, she recounts that when she first told her GP about wanting to be voluntarily euthanised, he told her he respected her wishes but could not do it himself as her case was complex due to her psychological conditions.

Ms Hoeve's was placed on the waiting list but her wait was longer than usual because of the pandemic.

Ms Hoeve used to regularly update her followers about her health on X, formerly known as Twitter. People used to send messages of encouragement and support. According to her profile on X, she described herself as a "stay-at-home cat parent".

An update has since been given by Lauren's loved ones, which reads: "Lauren passed away peacefully at 1.55 pm in the presence of her parents Leonie and Peter and her best friend Lau. We would like to thank you for your compassion and support. Leonie, Peter and Lau."

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"My Last Day Will Be Saturday": Dutch Woman, 28, Shares Final Post Before Being Euthanised - NDTV

The critique of Canadas plan to authorize euthanasia and assisted suicide for mental health disabilities, Is euthanasia for everyone? [Editorial, Jan. 28], should be lauded. A young man with clinical depression and partial blindness was approved for hastened death. Canadians in poverty are requesting assisted suicide and are, in some cases, being approved. A Canadian woman with disabilities could not afford accessible housing on her monthly benefit and is approved for euthanasia. Disabled Canadians who cannot afford long-term services and supports, pain care or food are opting for euthanasia. The Canadian safety net and medical systems are underfunded and overburdened. Adding easy access to euthanasia is a deadly mix for vulnerable people.

The situation is not substantially different here. Doctors in the United States are prescribing lethal drugs to young women with anorexia whose cases they subjectively deem hopeless and therefore terminal. If anorexia, why not other mental health disabilities with high lethality rates, such as opioid use disorder? The editorial admitted that no procedural protections are perfect and noted that offering euthanasia to those with psychiatric illness is especially unwise in a country whose mental health system struggles to provide treatment to all who need it. The United States profit-driven health-care system is abysmally broken, and disparities in care are rampant.

Where assisted suicide is legal here, vulnerable people are at grave risk of discrimination and deadly harm, and weve begun to fight back.

The writer, an emergency medical worker, is executive director of the Institute for Patients Rights and the Patients Rights Action Fund.

As medical aid in dying is becoming legal in more states in this country, the terms euthanasia and assisted suicide are inaccurate, each in its own way. Where medical aid in dying, or MAID, is legal in the United States, the medication must be self-administered, whereas euthanasia involves a physician or other person being the agent of death. The term suicide and, hence, assisted suicide, should refer to a situation where the individual is not facing a terminal prognosis. Aid in dying is what it says: It is helping someone who is already dying and has no hope of recovery.

The Jan. 28 editorial, Is euthanasia for everyone?, didnt mention the special case of aid in dying for advanced dementia patients. Although I agree with the cautions raised about those with mental disorders, I strongly support MAID for dementia patients who request it in writing while they are still of sound mind. Unlike the mental disorders included in the editorial, Alzheimers disease and other forms of dementia are terminal.

Because of the severe and long-drawn-out effects of the various forms of dementia, MAID should be available under well-regulated circumstances to dementia patients who seek it. Their loss of personhood, dignity and so much quality and enjoyment of life is a tragedy for them and all who love them. The option of shortening the ravaging progress of their disease should be available to them.

Susan M. Flanders, Washington

The writer is an Episcopal priest whose ministry is focused on end-of-life options.

I applaud The Posts editorial opposing liberal euthanasia laws. Indeed, as someone with a terminal illness I have early-stage Alzheimers disease I strongly oppose assisted suicide. I want to be clear that this is different from the option of withholding care when death is otherwise imminent.

Every day since my diagnosis, I think about my choices. What should I do now? Especially when I know at some point, I will lose my ability to make my own decisions. The editorial was helpful and offered me another way to look at the process, and particularly the question of informed consent. In theory, this is always expected required from the person wishing to end his or her own life.

It occurs to me that informed consent is impossible. Informed presumes we know the choices or options. To my knowledge, there is no scientific, factual knowledge of the condition of death. We assume that the pain is gone. In fact, it is only gone from those who watch. We only have our beliefs about what post earthly existence is or is not.

And though that might sound silly to some, I have learned that the journey through this illness seems to be more painful for loved ones the family and those who watch the declines and changes in the afflicted individual. My heart goes out to them, and yet I see over and over moments when the pain of the watcher is motivation for the desire to end.

We dont know what happens, if anything, after our last breath. We should not be allowed to hasten that moment, except perhaps when death is known to be imminent.

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Opinion | The aid-in-dying question - The Washington Post - The Washington Post

Trigger warning: explicit description of human euthanasia and death

Ill think of you every step of the way, and I will always love you, Dolly Parton and Whitney Houston famously sang, resonating with millions of people dealing with loss.

A woman has humorously shared her last moments on Earth by showing her love for memes and cats before undergoing euthanasia.

On January 27, Lauren Hoeve took to her X account (formerly known as Twitter) to share the sad news (or the relieving news, according to her experience) that she was living her final hours.

The 28-year-old woman wrote: This will be my last tweet. Thanks for the love, everyone.

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Image credits: hersenmist (Laurens blog)

Im going to rest a bit more and be with my loved ones. Enjoy a last morbid meme from me.

Her X post was accompanied by a meme of child wearing a sunglasses, seemingly laying on a dentists chair while giving the thumbs up to the camera. A text reading me getting euthanized was positioned above the image.

Hundreds of people commented on Laurens morbidly funny post, which has been viewed 1.5 million times.

Cool exit. Goodbye, dear Lauren, a person penned.

Another X user wrote: Hello dear Lauren. Have a few loving last hours. Thank you again for everything you have done for our community.

A separate individual chimed in: Have a beautiful last few hours, and another added: May you find your peace.

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Image credits: iamlaurenhannah

In a previous post on X, posted on January 25, Lauren had announced that this would be her last Saturday, January 27th. She further revealed that her euthanasia had been planned to happen between 1:30 and 2:30 PM local time in the Netherlands.

The Dutch woman had long suffered from myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) and had been documenting her struggles on social media and on her blog.

In a final blog post, Lauren explained that she had chosen her euthanasia time in the afternoon because you have all been so excited for this moment with me.

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Image credits: iamlaurenhannah

She further wrote: I know from experience how supportive it can be to know when it is happening so that you can reflect on it for a moment or light a candle if you wish.

Lauren went on to ask for people not to wish her to go on a good trip, as she explained: [If] I was going on a trip (a beach holiday would be nice), but I think Im going back to what it was like before I was born: no existence, no consciousness. Ultimate peace.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, myalgic encephalomyelitis, otherwise known as chronic fatigue syndrome or simply ME and CFS, is a serious, long-term illness that affects many body systems.

People with ME/CFS are often not able to do their usual activities. At times, ME/CFS may confine them to bed. People with ME/CFS have severe fatigue and sleep problems.

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Image credits: iamlaurenhannah

ME/CFS may get worse after people with the illness try to overextend themselves to do as much as they want or need to do. This symptom is called post-exertional malaise (PEM). Other symptoms can include problems with thinking and concentrating, pain, and dizziness.

According to an Institute of Medicine (IOM) report, an estimated 836,000 to 2.5 million Americans suffer from ME/CFS. However, most of them have not been diagnosed.

As of 2023, euthanasia is legal in Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal (law not yet in force, awaiting regulation), Spain, and all six states of Australia.

Euthanasia must not be confused with assisted suicide, which is legal in Austria, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, parts of the United States, and all six states of Australia.

Image credits: Lauren Hannah

According to the Maxim Institute, euthanasia is when an attending medical or nurse practitioner takes an action with the singular intention of causing a patients death. Generally, this is in the form of a lethal injection.

Meanwhile, assisted suicide is when a suicide is intentionally aided by the attending medical or nurse practitioner, and the person self-administers the medication. That is, the medical practitioner will prescribe a lethal drug that the patient will usually take orally.

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Enjoy A Last Morbid Meme: Dutch Woman Has Funny Final Meme Before Undergoing Euthanasia - Bored Panda

Lauren Hoeve in bed with her cat Bagel. (Credit: Lauren Hoeve / Twitter)

Update: Lauren's parents posted an update to Lauren's blog confirming her death. They wrote: "Lauren passed away peacefully at 1.55 pm in the presence of her parents Leonie and Peter and her best friend Lau. We would like to thank you for your compassion and support. Leonie, Peter and Lau."

A young woman in the Netherlands with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) has shared an emotional post announcing that she will be euthanised on Saturday 27 January.

Lauren Hoeve, 28, started documenting her application for euthanasia in 2022 on her blog. She was diagnosed with ME in 2019, and also has autism, anxiety, and ADHD. ME is often referred to as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, however, Hoeve prefers not to use that term as she believes it doesn't encompass the severity of her exhaustion.

Assisted dying has been legal in the Netherlands since 2002. According to the Dignity in Dying campaign group, there are on average around 3,500 cases of assisted dying or voluntary euthanasia a year in the country.

In Hoeve's blog, she recounts that when she first told her GP about wanting to be voluntarily euthanised, he told her he respected her wishes but could not do it himself as her case was complex due to her psychological conditions.

She was placed on the waiting list to be seen by euthanasia specialists, but the wait was longer than usual because of the pandemic. Since then, Hoeve has seen several doctors who assessed her and found in April 2023 that she was mentally competent signing off on her wish to be euthanised.

Hoeve has been posting on X (formerly known as Twitter) about her health, and gained a following that saw people sending messages of encouragement, support and also cat content, as Hoeve is a self-described 'stay at home cat parent'.

On Wednesday, Hoeve posted on her blog, thanking people for their support and announcing that her euthanasia will take place sometime on Saturday between 1:30 pm and 2:30 pm. She wrote: If we have known each other long and well or only a little, it doesn't matter. Through you all, I have felt less alone, and I am very grateful for that.

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She added: "Please don't wish me a good trip, I wish I was going on a trip (a beach holiday would be nice)..."

She has asked those who wish to pay tribute online to wait until after she has passed.

Hoeve's mother, who also lost her son, has also written a blog post about the planned euthanasia, saying: "What is it like for me, as a mother, to now lose my second child? It's very sad and surreal. My mother's heart bleeds... Please know that we have done everything realistically possible to find a way out. She still wanted to get so much out of life, but she doesn't want to live to be 30 years old like this, let alone 60 or 80 years old."

She added: "The only thing I see as a bright spot is that I no longer have to fear losing my children. I know where they are."

Myalgic encephalomyelitis is a serious long-term condition with a wide range of symptoms. It is more common in women, and tends to develop between the mid-20s and mid-40s. According to the NHS, severity of symptoms can vary from day to day, or even within a day.

While documenting her experiences, Hoeve has encouraged followers to support organisations doing clinical research and trying to find a cure for the condition.

In November, a local Dutch ambulance charity booked out an entire cinema so that Hoeve, a huge Taylor Swift fan, could watch her idol with family and friends.

Read more

In the Netherlands, anyone can make an application for euthanasia, but there are several rounds of assessments that must be done, especially if there are extenuating circumstances beyond someone's physical health.

There were 8,720 reported instances of euthanasia in the Netherlands in 2022, the highest number to date. A majority of the cases were of people with cancer, while there was an increase in the cases that cited dementia.

Five people under the age of 30 were also euthanised, which has led to criticism from some doctors. Dutch professor Irene Tuffrey-Wijne told AP: Theres no doubt in my mind these people were suffering, but is society really OK with sending this message, that theres no other way to help them and its just better to be dead?

Last year, the Dutch government lowered the age for assisted dying to children as young as one year old. However, in order for a child to be eligible, there are strict criteria they to meet, predominantly that they must be terminally ill to the point that palliative care wouldnt provide any relief.

This came after the highly publicised case of four-year-old Luuk, who died two years after being diagnosed with Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease, a degenerative condition that affects the central nervous system.

It is illegal in England, Wales and Northern Ireland with a maximum prison sentence of 14 years. There is no specific crime in Scotland. In 2015, a bill to legalise assisted dying in the UK was defeated.

However, it continues to be a source of debate. Most recently, this has been led by presenter Dame Esther Rantzen, who revealed last month she is considering the option of assisted dying if her lung cancer treatment does not improve her condition.

The 83-year-old Childline founder and broadcaster has joined Dignitas, an assisted dying clinic in Switzerland. Her family could be prosecuted if they were to travel with her.

In an interview with the BBCs The Today Podcast in December, she called for a free vote in Parliament on assisted dying as she feels it is important that the law catches up with what the country wants.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has backed calls for a change in the law, saying last month I personally do think there are grounds for changing it. The Health and Social Care Committee is due to publish its report into assisted dying and assisted suicide in England and Wales, having launched an inquiry in December 2022 to examine different perspectives in the debate.

If you are affected by the issues raised in this article, you can contact The Samaritans for confidential emotional support at any time by calling 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org.

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'My last day will be on Saturday': 28-year-old with ME shares final post before being euthanised - Yahoo News UK

In response to public safety concerns, the Austin Animal Center will soon begin evaluating its dogs' bite histories on a new scale and allowing more dangerous animals to be killed without being released back into the community.

The specifics

Following a recent audit that detailed a series of operational failures at the city animal center, several changes aimed at improving services and animals' quality of life have been underway. One, recommended by a city consultant and approved by City Council on Feb. 1, will shift how the facility handles dogs with bite histories.

Even if a dog's bite history is known to animal center staff, Austin's current rules require that the animal be made available for public adoption or transfer before euthanasia can be considered. Additionally, outside rescue groups that might receive dogs from the animal center aren't required to report known bite histories to potential adopters.

The update approved this month lays out a standardized grading system for dog bites and allows staff to euthanize animals with the most severe bite histories without publicly releasing them.

Dogs will be evaluated on the Dunbar bite scale, which features six levels of severity. City staff would be allowed to more quickly euthanize dogs with a documented Level 4 bite or higher.

The Dunbar scale's Level 4 applies to incidents involving multiple skin punctures from a single dog bite, at least one of which is as deep as half the dog's canine teeth. The most severe incidents, Level 6, involve a dog killing a victim.

What it does is it says, hey, if its bad enough of a bite, and if the staff looks at all of the circumstances around it and says, Its the best decision for public safety to not have this dog be rescued by a group or to be taken out and be put back in the public, then theyll have the right to euthanize that dog and make sure it doesnt do that kind of damage again," Deven Desai, the city's independent consultant assessing the animal center, told Community Impact.

While the change was approved Feb. 1, the practice will not officially roll out at the Austin Animal Center until August.

Desai said animal center staff will use the coming six months to pilot the process. And once the changes are in effect, records of all euthanasia decisions will be publicly available to review.

Separately, another policy adjustment was made Feb. 1 to clarify that the center's no-kill goalwhich it must meet at least 95% of the timeonly applies for domestic pets and not wildlife that are sometimes taken in but illegal to adopt.

By the numbers

The new city policy comes after a spike in serious dog bites in Austin recorded over recent years. From 2018 to 2023, the number of serious biting incidents in the city jumped nearly 200%.

"It was just alarming to the staff to see that the increase was happening at such a rapid pace, and obviously far outpacing the citys population growth during that time," Desai said.

What's next

Another key update referenced by city officials is the potential expansion of animal center services to additional places outside the existing facility in East Austin.

While the city doesn't have funding reserved to launch new animal center, Desai and council members expressed interest in finding a way to offer animal intake in other parts of town. Real estate staff are currently looking into that issue, and more discussion may take place during future city budget cycles.

Desai said the animal center's longtime overcrowding challenges, which in the past had partially been addressed by using substandard crates, could be eased with more square footage around Austin.

We do have a need; its not just because the state has told us [using pop-up crates] is against the law, but its also not the right thing for the animal to be living its life in a cage," he said. "Thats really ... one of the impetuses why we need to get a secondary site. In addition to the fact that, frankly, our citys grown so much. Going all the way out to Levander Loop, for example, from Northwest Austin is kind of a trek."

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Austin Animal Center to follow new euthanasia rules for dogs with severe bite histories - Community Impact