Identical twin brothers. 45 years old. Both deaf since birth.
After being told they would go blind within a few years, Marc and Eddy Verbessem – who had spent their whole lives living and working together – told doctors they couldn’t bear the thought of not being able to see each other.
If they couldn’t communicate with one another, they didn’t want to live.
The brothers lived in Belgium, one of the very few countries where euthanasia – the act of intentionally ending the life of someone suffering a terminal or incurable illness – is legal for adults.
Normally, Belgian law only permits euthanasia where the patient is suffering unbearable pain or terminal illness. But doctors reportedly agreed to pursuing the euthanasia option in this case on the grounds of “intolerable suffering” and the fact the twins had taken the decision to die in “full conscience”.
Marc and Eddy VerbessemDoctors at Brussels University Hospital in Jette “euthanised” the two men by lethal injection on 14 December last year.
“They had a cup of coffee in the hall, it went well and a rich conversation. The separation from their parents and brother was very serene and beautiful. At the last there was a little wave of their hands and then they were gone.”
A peaceful and legal death at a time of their own choosing would not have been available to the twins, had they lived in Australia. Here, euthanasia laws are stricter. In all states and territories in Australia, voluntary euthanasia and assisted suicide are illegal. (You can get more information on individual state laws here.)
But not everyone thinks that’s the way it should be in this country. This from The Drum:
Opinion polling conducted for the Australia Institute in November 2010 (1,294 respondents) recorded a total 75 per cent said ‘yes’ to the question: “If someone with a terminal illness, who is experiencing un-relievable suffering asks to die, should a doctor be allowed to assist them to die?” Sixty-five per cent of the respondents who said ‘yes’ declared themselves to be Christians.
In South Australia, there are currently moves being made to legalise the practice of euthanasia. Independent MP Bob Such will introduce The Ending Life With Dignity Bill 2013 to South Australia’s state parliament next month.
The Bill would establish a board of eight members of people from legal and medical backgrounds, who would oversee voluntary euthanasia orders in the state. This from News Limited:
State MP Bob Such wants euthanasia legalised in South Australia.The Bill would apply to people who are terminally ill and whose pain cannot be relieved.
It would also require:
TWO doctors to assess any patient requesting voluntary euthanasia.
A PATIENT to obtain a psychiatric certificate to prove they are of sound mind and are not depressed or acting under duress if an assessing doctor raises concerns about their mental state.
DOCTORS to only give euthanasia drugs “immediately” before use by the patient.
CORONERS’ reports to describe the patient’s illness or injury that led to requesting voluntary euthanasia and how the procedure was carried out.
CAUSE of death not be listed as suicide or homicide.
Either patient or doctor could carry out euthanasia.
The likely success of the bill isn’t strong. Several previous attempts to legalise euthanasia in Australia have failed and while public opinion seems to support the practice, we haven’t yet found a workable legal framework.
If you are concerned about the mental health of yourself or a loved one, seek support and information by calling Lifeline Australia – 13 11 14 or beyondblue: the national depression initiative 1300 22 4636.
Where do you stand on the euthanasia debate? Had these two brothers lived in Australia, do you think they should have been allowed to end their own lives?
Top Comments
Today Gillard announced social media protocols, intending for these to assist in cybersafety for children and other bullying..but the real danger in social media is when serious issues like euthanasia are discussed in forums such as this, as if they were talking about their shopping list...Euthanasia goes against every single atom that separates humans from animal kingdom. It is wrong. Sure , a terminal illness is tragic but don't tell me that all those young children with incurable cancers in children's wards around the country should consider Euthanasia ? what about other members of our society who don't fit the bill ? What about the high numbers of very depressed youth especially young males who could be affected with a social acceptance and assistance with Euthanasia? those comments that support Euthanasia are from members who I think don't have any intelligence, education, compassion or faith....and this atheist driven opinion permeating social media forums, and current affairs and politics just makes me very sad- especially that my children will have to put up with this mindset for years to come... no such protocols will stop this very negative and dangerous attitude and behaviour..I am sure the Euthanasia supporters are working on a social media campaign as I write , and who will care about the impressionable young minds who will be bombarded with such information via social media then?
As an Atheist and an euthanasia supporter, I find your comment offensive. I believe religious extremists, like you, are the most dangerous group around with their often medieval, outdated, bigoted, beliefs. Why are you all so afraid of those that think for themselves? BTW, I'm an educated, compassionate and intelligent woman, I just don't believe in god or organised religions.
Perhaps you should watch someone you love die of a terminal illness in which their suffering is compounded day by day before you make moral judgements about what sets us apart from the animal kingdom. We euthanise pets to end their suffering because it's the humane thing to do. Yet we let those we love waste away with no hope because bringing about an earlier, dignified death at a doctor's hand (and by the patient's own desire and consent) is held up as a sign of moral superiority.
If you had seen someone you love starve to death over a period of weeks because their stomach was so riddled with cancer that they could no longer digest food, you might feel differently. If you had watched them say goodbye to their children for the last time, banishing them because they didn't want their final memories to be of death and decay, you might have some compassion for those who suffer.
And if you have been exposed to either of those things, or any one of the myriad of situations in which a terminally ill patient is force to suffer in indignity while their helpless families look on, and you still feel it's a moral repugnance to euthanise consenting patients, then I despair for your selfishness.
My pa, was once a fit, healthy, intelligent, loving man who slowly deteriorated into a vegetable due to Alzheimer's , he lived for years in a state of not recognizing his wife of 70 years or his children and grand kids . He would have been devasted knowing he ended his life in this state. We are all lucky we keep his best memories close. Not only is it devastating for the families to watch and do nothing but it is also a massive burden on the health system caring for people with zero quality of life. Alzheimer's is hereditary and I hope that if its gets passed onto me I will have the choice to die peacefully in a state of mind that suits me and not spend years getting showered and toileted by strangers.
I've watched three elderly family members succumb to this insidious disease. My Aunt is slowly dying of it to this day in a nursing home. It scares me to death that I could get it. I'm looking into ways of being able to go when I want, if I do.