Tetraplegic model speaks out against euthanasia after once planning to end her life
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As the End of Life Choice Bill is currently being debated in New Zealand, a woman, Claire Freeman, involved in a car accident causing her to become tetraplegic, has spoken out forcefully against the Bill.
The Bill permits assisted suicide in cases where an adult has a ‘terminal illness that is likely to end the person’s life within six months’; or suffers from ‘a grievous and irremediable medical condition; and is in an advanced state of irreversible decline in capability; and experiences unbearable suffering that cannot be relieved in a manner that he or she the person considers tolerable’.
Claire argues that this Bill would have been dangerous for people like her given her (former) ‘mind-set and lack of proper support’ and had this Bill passed only a few years ago, she would have been eligible to end her life.
Although formerly pro-assisted suicide, her experience as a tetraplegic has led her to change her mind admitting that ‘[she] didn’t really understand the implications of hav...
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