Latest news with #MeBeforeYou
IOL News
14-05-2025
- Health
- IOL News
Dying on your own terms: the high-tech ‘Sarco pod' changing end-of-life choices
Sarco capsule, designed by former physician Philip Nitschke. Image: Philip Nitschke./Instagram The topic of euthanasia is one of the most delicate and polarising issues in today's healthcare and mental health discourse. For some, it represents a compassionate option for those enduring unbearable suffering. For others, it raises moral, ethical, and societal concerns. My first encounter with the subject came through the heart-wrenching movie "Me Before You", starring Emilia Clarke ("Game of Thrones"). It explored the story of a young man with quadriplegia who ultimately chose assisted death, sparking tears, debates, and soul-searching among viewers. But fiction aside, euthanasia is no longer just a cinematic or philosophical debate; it's a real, evolving choice impacting lives around the globe. The Sarco capsule In a groundbreaking move, Switzerland has approved a new method of assisted dying: the Sarco capsule, designed by former physician Philip Nitschke. This 3d-printed, coffin-like pod offers individuals facing severe illness a peaceful, medication-free way to control their death. The Sarco capsule is unique because it places unparalleled autonomy in the hands of the individual. After answering a series of questions to confirm their intent, the person inside presses a button that floods the capsule with nitrogen, lowering oxygen to less than 1% within seconds. The individual experiences a brief euphoric sensation before losing consciousness and passing away from hypoxia (lack of oxygen). According to Nitschke, death occurs within 5 -10 minutes, free from pain, panic, or choking. The pod can be placed anywhere, whether in nature, a hospital, or the premises of an assisted suicide organisation, allowing people to choose the setting for their final moments. While the Sarco capsule has sparked global attention for its innovation, it also stirs deep questions: Does this represent progress in the fight for dignity in death? Or does it tread dangerously close to dystopia? Switzerland is no stranger to assisted suicide, which has been legal there for decades. However, the Sarco capsule challenges traditional norms, shifting the focus to technology-driven, patient-controlled methods. Elsewhere, countries like New Zealand have also embraced euthanasia. Since implementing the End of Life Choice Act in November 2021, nearly 2,500 New Zealanders have applied for physician-assisted death. By September 2024, 970 individuals had chosen this path, with 344 deaths occurring between April 2023 and March 2024 alone, according to the Ministry of Health. These figures highlight the growing demand for end-of-life options, particularly among individuals with terminal illnesses or unbearable pain. While proponents argue this offers dignity and relief, critics worry about the societal implications, particularly for mental health. Mental health and euthanasia The connection between euthanasia and mental health is both significant and sensitive. Studies show that feelings of hopelessness, isolation, and depression often play a role in people's decisions to seek assisted death. The question then becomes: Are we doing enough to address the root causes of these emotions? Take the story of Joseph Awuah-Darko, a 29-year-old who has been open about his request for euthanasia. While awaiting the outcome of his application, he launched the 'Last Supper Project,' a global tour chronicling his final moments and sparking conversations about life and death. On Instagram, he posted a poll about Switzerland's approval of the Sarco pod, polling his audience about what they thought of the pod. 'Is everyone OKAY ?' Within 15 minutes, responses ranged from acceptance to unease: 'Yes, as long as it's humane and peaceful. 80%' 'Woah, this is incredibly dystopian, 20%'. Out of 547 responses This highlights how euthanasia taps into deeply personal fears, beliefs, and emotions. For some, it's a symbol of control over one's destiny. For others, it's a troubling reminder of society's failure to fully support vulnerable individuals. At the heart of the euthanasia discussion lies one critical question: How do we balance individual autonomy with societal responsibility? Supporters argue that euthanasia embodies compassion and respect for personal choice, especially for those suffering from terminal illnesses. The Sarco pod, in particular, empowers individuals to make decisions about their own lives in a way that feels peaceful and controlled. However, critics raise valid concerns: Could euthanasia become a slippery slope, where vulnerable people feel pressured to choose death over being a 'burden'? Does the growing acceptance of assisted death normalise despair rather than encouraging solutions like palliative care and mental health support? Euthanasia forces us to confront uncomfortable truths about life, death, and the human condition. While innovation like the Sarco pod reflects technological and ethical advancements, it also urges us to ask deeper questions about how we support those in pain, physically, emotionally, and mentally. The rise of euthanasia, whether through traditional methods or groundbreaking innovations like the Sarco capsule, signals a cultural shift toward prioritising autonomy and dignity in end-of-life care. However, this shift must be accompanied by a broader conversation about mental health, compassion, and the ethics of choice.
The Independent
11-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Bestselling author Jojo Moyes on reaching midlife: I care less about what people think
Bestselling author Jojo Moyes has found midlife liberating. At 55, the novelist behind the hugely popular book "Me Before You" has reflected on the freedom that comes with age. "One of the benefits is knowing exactly who you are," Moyes explains. "Which sounds like a weird thing, but we care a lot less at this age about what other people think of us." "Me Before You," which tells the story of a young carer falling for the quadriplegic man she looks after, was adapted into a 2016 film starring Emilia Clarke and Sam Claflin. Moyes herself penned the screenplay, bringing her beloved characters Lou Clark and Will Traynor to the big screen. However, the author recalls being in a very different headspace when she first reached the milestone of 50. 'It wasn't a great year for me because my mum was dying and I got divorced. Let's say I didn't have a big party. But I keep thinking I should have a late, late 50th party but I don't know if I will,' says the author and screenwriter, whose books have sold more than 57 million copies worldwide and been translated into 46 languages. Readers might be forgiven for thinking that her latest, We All Live Here, a part romcom, part tragi-comedy about a broken family, might have been inspired by her own life. It centres on Lila, a bestselling author whose career is in free-fall as she goes through divorce and continues to come to terms with the death of her mother and her husband's departure into the arms of another school mum who is now pregnant with his child. Lila is also under pressure to sell the family home and downsize. Moyes also split up from her husband, journalist Charles Arthur, with whom she has three children, in 2020 after 22 years of marriage, the year her mother died. She later moved from her seven-bedroom Grade II listed house set in 22 acres in Essex to her current home near Hampstead Heath in North London. Lila finds new romance, and Moyes has also found a new partner, who she knew many years ago, although she prefers to keep her personal life private. But the fictional characters in the novel could not be more different from her real friends and family, she insists, and she failed to see that parallels would be drawn. 'I was just really naïve. I've never written about a writer before. For the purpose of the plot I needed her to be writing about her own life and I needed the divorce for the plot, for her to be in an absolute crisis when the book opened. I just didn't think people would ever draw the parallels.' In the novel, the animosity and anger Lila feels towards her ex is palpable, but Moyes says she wasn't channelling her own anger into the book. 'I have zero anger towards my ex. We are so cordial, in fact, that the divorce lawyer wrote us a letter saying that they wished everyone could be as graceful to each other as we had been. I don't think I'm someone who feels anger very much. I'm just not made that way.' She was, however, worried about moving from the family home. 'I was really anxious about it because I'd lived in the country in a house that was literally in the middle of nowhere for 20-odd years, but I really wanted to be near my friend and my daughter and it was just time for a change. 'I have loved every minute of it. I just really enjoy a very different way of life. I love seeing people every day. I love being able to get takeaways, which I haven't done for two decades. I love being able to walk to three different cinemas from my house. My daughter lives seven minutes' walk from me and my best friend is 20 minutes' walk. To have two beloved people on my doorstep feels like a massive privilege.' Writing has been a constant for the former journalist, who had written eight books before Me Before You sent her career stratospheric, and which she followed with sequels After You and Still Me. Has she finished with Lou Clark now? 'I think I have. I wrote a short story in the pandemic about what happened to Lou in lockdown and it was lovely to revisit her, especially at a time when I was finding it quite hard to write. I'm not sure there's an appetite for Lou in middle age, but I'm never going to say never.' Moyes considers more carefully how she spends her time in midlife. 'When you know that you've probably lived more than half your life, you become much more careful about how you spend your time and energy. 'I have people who I absolutely love and would travel across the country to see, while a lot of other people I will just say no to, not because they're not nice people, but because they are not in that kind of top-energy tier. I would rather be at home cuddling my dogs (she has two rescue dogs from Bosnia). 'I like being a little bit more selfish in terms of how I spend my time and I'm much better at carving out time for me now. I ride my horse four times a week, I do Pilates, I make sure I meet friends for lunch – all the things that I didn't do for a very long time. 'Also, there's just gratitude. When you get to your 50s you've probably lost a few people along the way and you know how sweet life is. Every evening I find three things to be grateful for and I'm lucky enough that there are usually more than three to choose from. I'm really happy to still be here.' She remains a terrific advocate for female empowerment and women supporting each other through good times and bad, as she illustrates in her novels including The Giver Of Stars, a fictional story based on the real Horseback Librarians of Kentucky, a group of women who joined forces to deliver books to remote regions in the Appalachian Mountains in the 1930s, which is currently being adapted for an eight-part TV series. Female friendships have helped sustain her own mental health, she agrees. 'I don't know how anybody stays sane without female friends. I don't know what my character would be without the close friends that I've had. I've had my best friend since I was 16 and it's such a privilege to have somebody who has known you for the best part of 40 years and knows every bit of you and can call on you when you're being a pain in the backside or can make you laugh or put things into perspective. I don't know how people survive without that.' We All Live Here by Jojo Moyes is published on February 11 by Penguin Michael Joseph, priced £22.
CairoScene
08-02-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
Wadi Degla Protectorate to Screen ‘Me Before You' on Valentine's Day
Organized by Desert Adventures, the romantic film night promises a memorable cinematic experience in a scenic outdoor setting. There's love in the air - or should we say, the open-air cinema? Wadi Degla Protectorate is hosting a romantic open-air movie night this Valentine's Day on February 14th, featuring a special screening of 'Me Before You' (2016), starring Sam Claflin and Emilia Clarke, at 5:30 PM sharp. Organised by Desert Adventures, attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and wear their coziest outfits for an evening under the stars. To reserve your spot, you can visit Desert Adventures' official Instagram account and click their link in bio.
Egypt Today
30-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Egypt Today
5 Must-Read Love Stories that Will Sweep You off Your Feet
Love in all of its forms has the power to inspire, transform, and endure. Across centuries and genres, certain novels have captured the essence of love so clearly that they leave an unforgettable mark on our hearts. Whether it's the passion of first love, the loyalty for a life-long bond, or the complexities of love, these stories make us more curious to explore more stories of romance, resilience, and self-discovery. Here are five unique novels that are full of romance and deep love. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green Get ready for a heart-breaking yet inspiring novel. Hazel Grace, is a sixteen-year-old with thyroid cancer that has spread to her lungs, Hazel is battling cancer with sarcasm and brightness. Throughout her life, she refused to fall in love in order not to break anyone's heart if she died of cancer. Unexpectedly, she meets Augustus Waters, a charismatic cancer survivor who lights up Hazel's world. Their love story is a typical one filled with deep conversations and adventures, and they explore what it means to truly live, love, and leave a legacy, even when life seems against you. The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks Imagine a powerful love that survives time, distance, and even fading memories. An artistic and down-to-earth person called Noah Calhoun falls in love with Allie Hamilton, a vibrant young woman from a wealthy family. Their romance is interrupted by societal expectations, but their love remains constant. Years later, as Allie had to choose between her fiancé and the man she never stopped loving, fate draws her back to Noah. The Notebook is a celebration of love's enduring magic…The love that never dies. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Step into 19th-century England, where balls, bonnets, and sharp social commentary were dominant. Elizabeth, the independent and brilliant daughter of the Bennet family, is determined to marry for love, not the traditional marriage. She meets Mr. Darcy, a wealthy and cold gentleman whose pride matches her sharp tongue. Their initial misunderstandings and prejudices ignite an emotional dynamic, but their arguments hide one of the greatest love stories. This novel is a typical example of how people can change from enemies to lovers. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë It is a story of passion, mystery, and resilience. In her early life, she was Orphaned and mistreated but, Jane Eyre overcomes her difficult beginnings with determination and strength. She becomes the governess at the mysterious Thornfield Hall, and later on, she falls in love with her master, Mr. Rochester. However, this is not just an ordinary love story; it is full of dark secrets and mysteries that challenge and test Jane's core values. Despite her love for Mr. Rochester and the gothic drama, Jane remains committed to pursuing self-respect and independence. Jane Eyre is a story of women's empowerment and faithful love that is very inspiring. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes What happens when two opposite characters clash and change each other's lives forever? Louisa Clark is weird, vibrant, and lives in a small town. Will Traynor is wealthy, cultured, and had an accident that changed his life completely in a negative way. Louisa got hired as Will's caregiver, her task is to bring joy and adventure to Will's life, but what she doesn't expect is how deeply he'll impact her life, and their bond grows from awkward to life-affirming. Me Before You is a love story that dares to challenge expectations and will leave you both laughing and in tears.
