Latest news with #terminal illness
BBC News
19-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Terminally ill should be spared council tax, say charities
People given less than 12 months to live should be spared from paying council tax, two of the UK's leading end of life charities have City Council became what is believed to be the first local authority to introduce the scheme last Marie Curie and Hospice UK want other local councils and devolved governments to follow Local Government Association and devolved administrations say some discretion and support with council tax payments for people in challenging situations is already available. Nathaniel Dye, a 39-year-old primary school music teacher from London, has been busy living his life since receiving a terminal cancer diagnosis in since he was told earlier this year he has less than 12 months to live, as his health deteriorates, his finances have come into sharp the nearly £200 a month he pays in council tax."Having a council tax exemption might not sound like very much, it's not the hugest tax burden that people have to pay, but it's really, really important."It represents something, it represents peace of mind which for me is priceless."It's not having to worry about those little things. Maybe even being able to afford some kind of luxuries as you're nearing end of life that otherwise might not be able to afford." Extra costs People given a terminal diagnosis, especially those of working age, can face serious personal finance Thunder, from Marie Curie, says it can lead to a significant income shock."It can mean you might have to reduce your hours or stop working altogether and so might your partner if they're caring for you."At the same time you might have additional costs particularly around energy. Medical devices in particular... you might get the device from the NHS but you won't get support with the running costs."Council tax is one of the larger bills that you might have to pay. It's also one people are very worried about missing particularly because the enforcement of council tax can be quite sudden and ramp up quite quickly."So taking that bit of pressure off is a really valuable thing." How Manchester scheme works In Manchester, if a resident provides a letter from a clinician showing they have less than twelve months to live, they no longer have to pay council household won't have to restart repaying it until the end of the financial year after the person had died, or for a few months if their death is close to that cut off leader of the city council, Councillor Bev Craig, says this is one way it hopes to alleviate the burden of bills in the most challenging of times."Council tax for most people is still one of their biggest bills so we're saying as a council, what can we do practically to take away one of those biggest bills people have to worry about?"This is about showing that sometimes public services can be responsive, they can be flexible and they can be compassionate." Marie Curie and Hospice UK want other authorities to do the argue the cost to public finances would be minimal, but the benefits to individual households - both emotionally and financially - would be Local Government Association, which represents councils in England, and administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland says some discretion and support for terminally ill people is already available but that many will watch the Manchester scheme with interest.
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Legendary Edinburgh DJ in race against time after devastating brain tumour diagnosis
A Scottish DJ is facing the fight of his life after being diagnosed with an 'extremely serious' brain tumour. Keith McIvor – best known to fans as JD Twitch – is a former Edinburgh resident and played at the legendary Pure club in the city in the 1990s. He recently revealed to his supporters that he has been diagnosed with terminal glioblastoma, a fast-progressing and incurable form of brain cancer. READ MORE: Edinburgh city centre restaurant at risk of closure as chain 'put up for sale' READ MORE: Edinburgh's St James Quarter worker alleges 'fraud and health and safety' issues Now a fundraiser has been launched to help cover the 56-year-old's urgent care needs as the disease begins to take its toll on his speech, mobility and independence. Keith's family say he needs round-the-clock nursing care now and has been moved into a private residential facility to ensure his safety and dignity, reports Glasgow Live. "This gives him a safe, supportive environment while we continue to explore the best long-term setting for his care," the crowdfunder states. In a heartfelt update on his condition, his friends and family wrote: "While Keith's condition is extremely serious and likely to progress quickly, he's not currently in pain, can communicate well with patience, and is still present as the Keith we know and love. "He can now connect to those most important to him in a better environment – with a determined group of friends and family around him, ready to do whatever we can to help him with what he wants and needs. "This new living environment is unlikely to be necessary for a long time, but obviously we can't know exactly how long it will be at this stage. "We still hope that Keith can look forward to many happy days ahead, in comfort and with his loved ones, to live out the remainder of his life in dignity and conscious of all the support and good vibes flowing toward him for as long as possible. "Navigating this situation has been incredibly hard for Keith's family — especially his wife, who lives with serious long-term health issues that affect the care she's able to provide. "We've held off to examine all options, but now believe this crowdfunder is the best way to channel people's goodwill in a concrete, transparent way and show them they can make a direct impact. "It's also the easiest route for us to keep everyone regularly updated about Keith's progress, as we focus our energies on doing the best for him that we can in the remaining time that he has left." The online fundraiser has already raised over £83,000. Donations will go toward paying for Keith's residential care, as well as vital physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, counselling and accessible transport. Organisers say access to many of these services through the NHS or charities is 'limited.' The crowdfunder adds: "Keith thanks you for all of your kind words and support, and we'll continue to strive to do the very best for him at every stage, as he moves forward in his journey." You can support the appeal for Keith, here. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community her e and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
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
