Latest news with #AssistedDyingBill
Metro
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Joanna Lumley considers assisted dying if she's left in 'miserable' state
Joanna Lumley has opened up about her thoughts when it comes to the assisted dying bill in the UK. The 79-year-old star has revealed in a new interview that she would consider voluntary euthanasia if she were unable to look after herself. 'People are terribly anxious about it and think one may be coerced (into voluntary euthanasia),' she said when asked about the bill in an interview with Saga magazine. 'But I'm saying this now when nobody's coercing me, don't let me turn into somebody who doesn't recognise the people I love most, where I'm having a miserable time. She added that she felt if she were unable to communicate or feed herself, it could be time to go. 'When I get to the stage where I can't speak and have to be fed, that won't be me any more, and that's when I wouldn't mind saying farewell.' The Terminally Ill Adults (end of life) Bill – also known as the Assisted Dying Bill was backed by MPs in the House of Commons last month. The bill would allow terminally ill adults with fewer than six months to live, to apply for an assisted death. It would mean that those wishing to die with assisted dying would need to get approval from two doctors, and a panel of experts including a social worker, psychiatrist and senior legal figure. The House of Lords is set to debate and vote on the bill in the next stage of passing it. Dame Ester Rantzen, who has terminal cancer, has been one of the high-profile backers of the new bill and has urged members of the House of Lords not to block the legislation. Dame Joanna has now spoken about her mortality before, saying that she doesn't want to look back and feel she's wasted her time. More Trending 'As you near the top of the hill, you suddenly think, 'Gosh, there's not all that amount of time left',' she said. 'My time must be coming quite soon, and I don't want to have wasted a minute of being on this beautiful planet.' Speaking to My Weekly, she also urged young people to worry less, adding: 'I used to panic when I was young, but as I've got older, I've started literally to live day to day. 'With age, you work out what matters. I always knew that good stuff would come along when I was older. When I was 18, I longed to be 30. When I was 30, I longed to be 50. We mustn't be led into thinking getting old is bad. Growing old is good.' Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Inventor of the 'Tesla' of suicide pods 'vows to bring device to UK'
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Terminal mom refuses to let kids watch her suffer — starves herself to death in final act of love
A 42-year-old mother of two, Emma Bray , who lived in Barnstaple, England with her children aged 15 and 14, was diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease (MND) in 2022. The condition slowly eats up the abilities of normal body movements, like moving, speaking and even breathing. Her Condition Got Worse Over Time Emma said she could no longer use her arms or legs. She had trouble talking, eating, and even breathing. She needed help from carers many times a day and couldn't be left alone at night, as per the reports. ALSO READ: Kremlin issues stark nuclear warning after Trump sends weapons to Ukraine that can strike deep inside Russia by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 25 Brilliant Plant Hacks That Will Change the Way You Grow Things Learn More Undo She couldn't even scratch an itch or move a bedsheet if she was too hot or cold. Emma felt like she had lost who she truly was, and she saw sadness on her loved ones' faces, as stated by The Mirror. She Fought for the Right to Die with Dignity Emma supported a UK law called the Assisted Dying Bill. She believed the bill would've saved her family from years of emotional pain. She especially hated not being able to comfort her crying children. She said MND took away their mom piece by piece, according to the reports. Live Events Her final choice: Voluntarily stopping eating and drinking Emma chose to end her life by refusing food and water — a method called VSED. This was the only legal way she could take control of her death in England. She wanted to avoid choking or dying in fear, and instead be surrounded by love and music, according to the report by PEOPLE. Her last wish as a mom was to protect her kids from trauma and let them remember her in peace. She waited until her daughter finished high school and her son grew a little older. ALSO READ: Rigetti unveils 36-Qubit quantum breakthrough — investors go wild, stock jumps 20% Her goodbye message on Instagram On July 14, Emma posted her own death announcement from her account @stupid_mnd. She shared a final photo of herself lying in a hospice bed looking out at the trees, as per the reports. She wrote that she had lived a good life, full of love, music, and laughter. Emma asked people to remember her by doing kind things — like planting a tree, watching sunsets, or calling a friend. She ended her post with a line from a Frank Turner song, 'Remember you get to dance another day but now you have to dance for one more of us.' Her final words were: 'Love you, bye', as per the report by PEOPLE. FAQs Q1. Why did Emma Bray starve herself to death? She chose to die through VSED so her kids wouldn't have to see her suffer from motor neuron disease. Q2. What is VSED and why did Emma use it? VSED means refusing food and water to die naturally, and Emma used it to stay in control since assisted dying is illegal in the UK.
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Right-to-Die Activist Ends Life by Starving Herself to ‘Protect My Children From Seeing Me Choke and Struggle to Breathe'
Two years ago, Emma Bray, 42, was diagnosed with a terminal neurological condition called motor neuron disease She decided to end her life by starving herself, hoping to spare her children from witnessing her decline any further The mom of two announced her own death on Instagram on July 14 alongside a final photo of herself lying in a hospice bedA British mother made the tough decision to starve herself to death to spare her children from witnessing the devastating effects of her terminal neurological condition. Two years ago, Emma Bray from Barnstaple, England, was diagnosed with motor neuron disease (MND). MND is a group of neurological disorders that gradually destroy the motor neurons, according to the Cleveland Clinic. These nerve cells are found in the brain and spinal cord, and they control muscle movement for activities like breathing, speaking, swallowing and walking. ALS — also known as Lou Gehrig's disease — is the most common MND. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 'I've had four different health professionals tell me I've got the worst disease possible,' she told The Mirror in May, using an eye-gazing machine to speak. 'I now feel I am at the stage where my quality of life is very affected, I can no longer use any of my limbs. My talking is severely affected, and I struggle to eat, and it's getting harder to breathe. I am only really comfortable in bed, and social visits are exhausting.' 'I have carers multiple times a day, can't be left alone overnight and can no longer do any basic tasks,' the 42-year-old continued. 'I can't scratch an itch, push up my glasses, or move a bed sheet if I am too hot or cold. I feel like I am losing the essence of me. I am still so loved, but I can't be myself, and I see that grief on everyone's faces." is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! Bray — who actively campaigned for Dignity in Dying — was an advocate for the Assisted Dying Bill, which would allow adults in the UK who are terminally ill to have the choice of medical aid in dying. She said, if it were passed, it would've prevented her loved ones suffering for two years with anticipatory grief. 'Imagine seeing your children crying and upset and not be able to hug them or curl up in bed and wipe their tears away,' she told the outlet, referring to her children, age 15 and 14. 'This is hands down the thing I hate the most about motor neurone disease. It's taken my children's mum from them little by little.' So, Bray decided to end her life using the 'voluntarily stopping eating or drinking' practice, also known as VSED. According to nonprofit Compassion & Choices — which provides resources, training and support for those navigating end-of-life health care — VSED is 'when a mentally capable individual decides to control their own dying by making a conscious decision to refuse foods and fluids of any kind.' 'VSED is not an easy death, but with the current law in England, this is the only way I can have control over my death,' Bray explained. 'I want to protect my children from seeing me choke and struggle to breathe. I don't want to die, but I am going to and have come to terms with my impending death, and I know I want to die surrounded by loved ones, music and laughter, not in an emergency way after further decline.' 'My last bit of parenting I can do is to limit the suffering and trauma they have to witness,' she added. 'I made a promise to myself that I wanted to wait to see my daughter finish high school and my son grow up a little so I can picture the man he will become.' ! In her final months, she told the outlet that she's urging members of parliament to help others 'die with peace.' On Monday, July 14, Bray — from her @stupid_mnd account — posted on Instagram, announcing her own death alongside a final photo of herself lying in a hospice bed overlooking the trees. 'If you are reading this then I've finished my final spin round the sun,' she wrote. 'I've lived a very good life, surrounded by love, music and laughter and I want this to continue in my memory. Rather than shed a tear (or whilst you do) please plant a tree or call a friend, do a random act of kindness or take time to watch a sunset. For moments of doubt please ask 'what would Emma do?' and run with that probably inappropriate answer.' 'Hug everyone a little tighter and love openly,' she ended. 'Please surround those who were closest to me with love, time and patience. And to quote Frank Turner - Remember you get to dance another day but now you have to dance for one more of us. Love you , bye.' Read the original article on People
Daily Record
27-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Stirling MP explains support for "compassionate" assisted dying plans
Chris Kane MP used his free vote on the legislation to express his support for proposals to regulate assisted dying for terminally ill patients. Stirling's MP has explained the reasoning behind his backing for a historic assisted dying bill which narrowly secured support in the House of Commons last week. The Terminally Ill Adults Bill, proposed by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, gives terminally ill adults in England and Wales the chance to have the right to end their own lives if certain criteria are met. The passage of the legislation at Westminster - which gained support by a margin of just 23 votes - follows a similar vote at Holyrood where the Scottish Parliament also gave its backing for proposals which would legislate for assisted dying in Scotland. In the Commons vote last week, an emotionally charged debate saw MPs recount personal stories of seeing friends and relatives die as well as sharing both positives and concerns related to the legislation. Stirling and Strathallan MP Chris Kane was one of those asked to vote on the bill - and he was one of 314 to support its passage. Speaking to the Observer, Mr Kane said his vote would give people the opportunity to 'end their suffering on their own terms' and said the current arrangements had the impact of prolonging someone's suffering in a way deemed 'deeply unjust'. He said: 'My decision to support the bill was shaped by careful thought and compassion, taken with full awareness of the moral and ethical complexities involved. 'I understand that some will be disappointed, and I want to acknowledge the sincerity and strength of feeling among those who oppose it. I respect those views, just as I hope my own are respected in return. 'In the United Kingdom today, individuals with mental capacity can legally refuse life-sustaining treatment, even if that decision leads to their death. 'Yet they cannot seek medical assistance to take an approved substance that would allow them to end their suffering on their own terms. For me, that is a contradiction that cannot be ignored. 'The current system can prolong suffering in ways that feel deeply unjust. 'This bill seeks to change that by offering terminally ill people the ability to make a considered and safeguarded choice at the end of life. 'I believe it is time to offer a compassionate, safe and clearly regulated choice for those nearing the end of their lives who want to take it.' Mr Kane was also quick to praise the general level of debate from politicians on both sides of the argument - with members given the opportunity to exercise a rare 'free vote', away from party lines. He added: 'In recent weeks and months, we have seen Parliament at its best: informed, considered and passionate, with respect shown across the House for those on all sides of the debate. 'I have spent a great deal of time reflecting on the Assisted Dying Bill, reading thoughtful emails from constituents, reviewing detailed briefings from organisations both for and against, and hosting constituency roundtables to listen to personal stories and different perspectives. 'I have followed the bill closely throughout its parliamentary journey and believe that it has evolved into a more balanced and carefully constructed piece of legislation than it was at the start.' The Westminster legislation will now head to the House of Lords for scrutiny and further votes before it has the chance of becoming law south of the border.
The National
23-06-2025
- Politics
- The National
Scottish Labour MSPs missing more Holyrood votes than Tories and SNP
In recent weeks, the number of Labour MSPs failing to vote on motions in the Scottish Parliament has increased, leading to concerns that their absence could be "changing the result of the votes". Last Wednesday for example – the most recent day of voting at the time of writing – 39% of Labour MSPs (nine members) did not vote in the chamber, compared with 6.7% of Tory MSPs (two members) and 1.6% of SNP (one member). The National analysed all the main votes which have taken place so far in June, excluding amendments, and found that among the three main parties, Labour consistently had the highest percentage of absent MSPs, with the Tories following not far behind, while the SNP had the highest turnout. READ MORE: Labour blasted as 'deeply authoritarian' over plans to proscribe Palestine Action Between June 1 and 19, an average of 20.1% of Labour MSPs failed to vote in motions, compared to 14% Tory and 6.6% SNP. Of the 10 votes that took place in that time, there were only four instances where turnout for both Labour and the Tories was higher than 90%. Meanwhile, the SNP turnout was above 90% in all of these votes. Scottish Labour had a higher turnout when it came to their own motions, such as their Planning motion on June 11, which was missed by one MSP, and their motion on Scotland's medical and nursing workforce crisis also on June 11, which all Labour MSPs voted on. More Labour MSPs tended to turn up when it came to voting on bills. At the Scottish Languages Bill debate on June 17, 17.4% of Labour MSPs did not vote, compared with 20% Tory and 8.2% SNP. And at the Care Reform (Scotland) Bill on June 10, 8.7% of Labour MSPs were absent, while the Tories had double, at 16.67%, and the SNP had 6.6%. But when these figures are compared with the start of the year, it shows a significant drop in attendance from Labour MSPs. READ MORE: Presiding Officer to step down at Holyrood election The National found that in January, an average of 7.9% of Labour MSPs failed to vote, compared with 9.1% Tory and 6.6% SNP. And in February, the average number of MSPs missing votes stood at 15% Labour, 10.1% Tory and 6.2% SNP. When looking at the smaller parties, the Greens and LibDems – which have seven and five MSPs respectively – were much more likely to show up to votes. In fact, since the beginning of this year, the Scottish Greens have had a full turnout at 86.9% of votes (53 out of 61 votes), while the LibDems had 65.6% (40 votes). In the instances where full turnout was not recorded, this was down to a maximum of two MSPs not voting. READ MORE: Scottish civil service reaches 'record' size, figures show There is one Alba MSP (Ash Regan) and one Independent MSP (John Mason), who turned up to 75.4% (46 votes) and 100% of votes respectively. For parties with higher numbers of MSPs, it is more difficult to achieve a full turnout. The SNP, which have 60 MSPs, recorded a full turnout at just two votes (3.3%) – the Assisted Dying Bill on May 13 and an SNP motion on Scotland's Hydrogen Future on May 1. The only instance where every single Tory MSP (of which there are 30) took part in a vote was for the Assisted Dying Bill (1.6% of the total number of votes), while Labour (which have 23 MSPs) saw a full turnout at four votes (6.6%) – but three of those were motions submitted by Labour, while the fourth was for the Assisted Dying Bill. While it is expected that MSPs will not be able to make every single vote, such as due to illness or maternity leave, there are proxy voting arrangements in place which mean that the absence would not affect the overall result of a vote. Commenting on the figures, Greens MSP Ross Greer – who has voted in every motion analysed by The National – said that "if Labour MSPs don't want to do the jobs they were elected to, they should resign". He added that the proxy voting arrangements mean "there is no excuse for almost half of the Labour group casting no vote at all" in some cases. Ross Greer MSP"That is bad enough on ordinary motions, but it is totally unacceptable when we are deciding on the laws of this country," he said. Greer added that "it is a privilege to serve Scotland in Parliament", and that turning up to vote is "the bare minimum" that voters expect of those they elect. READ MORE: SNP the only pro-indy party not to sign pledge condemning Gaza genocide He continued: "This isn't a one off. The attendance of Labour and Tory MSPs has been shocking for years. "It has absolutely changed the result of votes and therefore meant that Scotland's laws are different than they otherwise would have been if everyone elected by the public had actually turned up to do their job." Commenting, SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson said: "The fact Labour and Tory MSPs are increasingly failing to turn up to Parliament shows that Scotland is always an afterthought for the unionist parties. "SNP MSPs have the best attendance rate of any party – we are in Parliament every day, standing up for our constituents – while Labour and the Tories are nowhere to be seen when it matters most." Scottish Labour did not respond when approached for comment.
