Why assisted dying should remain illegal

As published in the Guardian, Michael Wenham was grateful that the option of assisted dying wasn’t available to him when he had a frightening diagnosis.

Dame Esther Rantzen has done the country yet another service in raising the issue of assisted dying again (Esther Rantzen ‘considering assisted dying’ if cancer treatment fails, 19 December). As someone who experiences the “intolerable suffering” of a prolonged incurable disease, I believe we should be far less scared of talking about the taboo subject of dying.

I well remember the day when, after a year of tests, the consultant confirmed that I had “a motor neurone disorder”. I knew what that meant, as it was the year that Diane Pretty’s case to allow her husband to help her take her own life, because she had motor neurone disease, was hitting the headlines. I asked the doctor how long he thought I had left. “Everyone’s different. Let’s wait and see.” The prospects seemed bleak. I anticipated one last Christmas with my family.

In the event, my worst fears weren’t realised; my diagnosis was refined to primary lateral sclerosis, a slowly developing form of MND. Twenty-two years later, I’m still alive and able to find hope and fulfilment in my very restricted life. Day to day, I’m totally dependent on my wife and carer from dressing to bedtime. I occasionally have falls, choke when swallowing, and my speech is barely intelligible. However, my quality of life is enhanced by a team of health professionals who are excellent in this area.

Looking ahead, I don’t wish to hasten my death, and I am grateful that, thanks to the law, I couldn’t be tempted to choose an early death on my first frightening diagnosis. As it should, the law provides a vital safeguarding function. So I have real reservations about any proposals that seek to legalise assisted suicide in the future.
Michael Wenham
Wantage, Oxfordshire