Dignitas and the sympathy vote

[Lighttouch]

Well having watched that bias so called documentary about aided suicide from a company in Switzerland called 'Dignitas' I seemed to be getting slightly more attention from friends and strangers let alone relatives!

Well within a day of the broadcast I was texted by two female friends who wanted to meet up for a meal. My sister called me to see if I'd made a will and were her daughters included in it as I have no direct family eg wife or kids.

But the strangest thing has been the amount of attention I attract in a public area. I get extra special service in coffee shops - no standing in queues for me - sit down sir, we'll bring it over. People rush to open doors for me - which I politely thank them for. But I'm walking 20 yards from the shop entrance to my car tonight and a charming lady approaches me and asks out of the blue - 'don't be offended but I thought I'd ask to see if you needed any help' - oh good grief - I obviously look a wreck! I thanked her for her offer but I didn't as I was by my car.

I'll have to say it's mainly women who want to offer assistance - almost on a daily basis!

On Wednesday my cleaner came - I pay her for two hours work but she stayed for four. I told her that she was running late but she didn't mind as she enjoyed the work!

I did watch the TV programme about assisted suicide and realised that I'm physically worst off than the two guys who opted for suicide! But I don't think like that at all. I appreciate every day. I take pleasure in the simple things in life, I never complain or talk about my aches and pains - why should I as they are there all the time - I know nothing different.

I sometimes wonder if people are curious about me as I'm quite confident, independent, profoundly disabled but I'm more concerned about others well-being rather than my own.

I'll have to say my face could be said to look 'interesting' as I do have visible scars on my face, head and back of neck. I may come across as looking like I've been dragged from a battlefield - a bit rugged but handsome. lol.

It seems scars on both sides of my cheeks appear more attractive than your average unblemished 'joe'. I assume people think I'm an ex-serving soldier. I do get approached by ex-service men's ex-wives The difference being 'I'm all there' - no post traumatic stress disorder - although in theory there should be.

I guess I must look approachable and vulnerable

What's your experience?

[Jay]

No sudden 'niceties' from Joe Public or family and friends since the programme, courtesy has always been there whether I'm walking or in the chair and extends to all customers, disabled or not, ie helping the elderly, or a mum get a pushchair up a shop step, when you drop something and don't realise it until you hear 'excuse me' or a tap on the shoulder aking 'is this yours' be it in shops, pubs, restuarants etc and it's that kind of service that impresses me.

[andypandy]

I get mixed experiences. I have just been to Tesco and picked up my hubby's prescription at the same time and the girl spoke to me as though I was simple ! she was so patronising and telling me that there was no prescription for him - and then found it ! I enjoyed that one.

Then other people are so nice.

I have just complained to Premier Inn as I stayed there last week in Stoke-on-Trent and their female staff were awful. The young lads were brilliant and would chat to me. The women would not even speak to me when I asked them a direct question, they answered my carer !

[Jay]

Sorry to hear that AP. The girls on the desk when we went to the one in Basildon were very polite and very helpful but maybe you should write and say how disappointed you were? Same with Tesco, find the manager and say how you felt? Obviously a need for in-house aware training!

[treborc]

Lets be honest I have thought hard about ending my life, and I suspect I will once my ability to wipe my own backside happens and it's getting closer .

So I will then take a mixture of medication and I will end it on my own without the help of anyone.

What annoys me these people want to change the law, if they wish to end their lives do it do not bother getting laws changed.

Most of the people who want the law changed normally end up dying anyway so they have no need to have the laws for us changed.

The worry is of course once this law is in, how long before a government states look it's costing to much we all know they'd be better off dead.

How long before this is seen as a duty of the state, look at the savings on pension if anyone over 90 had a quick shot up the backside, well after all they are going to heaven are they not much better place.

[Jay]

Lets be honest I have thought hard about ending my life, and I suspect I will once my ability to wipe my own backside happens and it's getting closer .

So I will then take a mixture of medication and I will end it on my own without the help of anyone.

What annoys me these people want to change the law, if they wish to end their lives do it do not bother getting laws changed.

Most of the people who want the law changed normally end up dying anyway so they have no need to have the laws for us changed.

[/I][/B].

Treborc, you seem to be not only confused by the difference between suicide and assisted suicide, but have a total lack of understanding why some of the people you flippantly mention, want to end their lives and protect the person(s) who assist them to do so!

[treborc]

If one of my family was so desperate to die because they had a illness not a disability an illness then I'd help them and be dammed, the simple fact these people want to change the laws.

The law does not need changing and it does not need Government helping when the country already See's the disabled and the sick as a burden.

[andypandy]

Assisted suicide already does take place

[andypandy]

Sorry to hear that AP. The girls on the desk when we went to the one in Basildon were very polite and very helpful but maybe you should write and say how disappointed you were? Same with Tesco, find the manager and say how you felt? Obviously a need for in-house aware training!

Hello Jay

I have "spoken" to Premier Inn about it as I got an email about feedback when I returned home and they contacted me a few days later about it.

As for Tesco, it was something I couldn't really put my finger on and to be honest, really can't be bothered. I don't get my prescriptions from Tesco anymore because they made so many mistakes.