Terry Pratchett begins formal process to end his life

[Brooklyn Red Leg]

Three and a half years ago, Terry Pratchett, the beloved author of the Discworld series, announced that he has early-onset Alzheimer's disease. Now he's made an even more startling announcement.

Pratchett, who has campaigned in his native United Kingdom for the right of assisted suicide, has begun the formal process of assisted suicide in Switzerland, one of the few countries in the world to legalize euthanasia. Specifically, this would take place at Dignitas, a clinic that provides qualified doctors and nurses to assist with the patients' suicides.

Dignitas has sent Pratchett the paperwork he needs to sign to begin the assisted suicide process—but he has yet to sign it.

http://blastr.com/2011/06/terry-pratchett-begins-fo.php

Never read the Discworld series, but I know there are alot of fans of his work. It is an interesting (if that is the proper word) dilemma for someone who discovers they have Alzheimer's. My father had the later stages of it before he died back in '05 and I know he valued his mind more than just about anything. I'm sort of the same way in that I could potentially 'survive' (again, if that is the right word) losing control of my body (say, paralysis) whereas the thought of losing my memory scares the ever loving drek out of me.

Whatever Sir Terry's decision is, I respect it.

 

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