Deaf twins going blind are euthanized in Belgian hospital hospital

mr wonder · #1 (**permalink**) 01-17-2013, 05:44 AM

Belgian twin brothers killed by doctors after choosing euthanasia over never being able to see each other again | Mail Online

Deaf twins who discovered they were going blind and would never see each other again are euthanized in Belgian hospital

Quote:

A pair of identical twins, who were born deaf, have been killed by Belgian doctors after seeking euthanasia when they found out they would also soon go blind.

In a unique case under the country's euthanasia laws, the 45-year-old brothers, from Antwerp, chose death as they were unable to bear the thought of never seeing one another again.

They were euthanised by doctors at Brussels University Hospital, in Jette, on December 14 by lethal injection after spending their entire lives together.

Euthanasia is legal under Belgian law if those making the decision can make their wishes clear and are suffering unbearable pain, according to a doctor's judgement.

The Belgian law differs from that of Switzerland, famous for its Dignitas clinic, where only 'assisted suicide' is permitted. This means patients must play an active role in the administration of the drug that ends their lives.

In Belgium, some 1,133 cases of euthanasia - mostly for terminal cancer - were recorded in 2011, about one percent of all deaths in the country, according to official figures.

But this case was unusual as neither twin was suffering extreme physical pain or was terminally ill.

The two brothers, who have not been named but were pictured on Belgian television, both worked as cobblers and shared a flat together, The Telegraph has reported.

David Dufour, the doctor who presided over the euthanasia, told RTL television news the twins had taken the decision in 'full conscience'.

He said they were 'very happy' and it had was a 'relief' to see the end of their suffering.

'They had a cup of coffee in the hall, it went well and a rich conversation,' Mr Dufour said.

'Then 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.'

Belgium was the second country in the world after the Netherlands to legalise euthanasia in 2002 but it currently applies only to people over the age of 18.

Other jurisdictions where it is permitted include Luxembourg and the U.S. state of Oregon.

Just days after the twins were killed Belgium's ruling Socialists tabled a legal amendment which would allow the euthanasia of children and Alzheimer's sufferers.

The draft legislation calls for 'the law to be extended to minors if they are capable of discernment or affected by an incurable illness or suffering that we cannot alleviate.'

The proposed changes are likely to be approved by other parties, although no date has yet been put forward for a parliamentary debate.

Read more: Belgian twin brothers killed by doctors after choosing euthanasia over never being able to see each other again | Mail Online

"The draft legislation calls for 'the law to be extended to minors if they are capable of discernment or affected by an incurable illness or suffering that we cannot alleviate.'"

slippery slope much?

unborn insects, uncomfortable adults AND children?
death is the final solution to all problems.

Pretty Flamingo · #2 (**permalink**) 01-17-2013, 06:10 AM

This particular case is disgusting. Turns my stomach.

1069 · #3 (**permalink**) 01-17-2013, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr. wonder

Belgian twin brothers killed by doctors after choosing euthanasia over never being able to see each other again | Mail Online

Deaf twins who discovered they were going blind and would never see each other again are euthanized in Belgian hospital

"The draft legislation calls for 'the law to be extended to minors if they are capable of discernment or affected by an incurable illness or suffering that we cannot alleviate.'"

slippery slope much?

unborn insects, uncomfortable adults AND children?
death is the final solution to all problems.

Yes, how repulsive to decline to live deaf and blind.

So now terminally ill and catastrophically disabled patients who wish to end their lives are merely "uncomfortable"... kind of like women with unwanted pregnancies are merely "inconvenienced", right?
Get the hell out of other people's business. Weeping, creeping Christ.

Segep · #4 (**permalink**) 01-17-2013, 07:16 AM

Just because I think they made a crappy decision doesn't mean I don't think they have a right to make it.

It makes me sad, though.

sky dancer · #5 (**permalink**) 01-17-2013, 08:52 AM

They chose this.

You want to judge them? Take a walk in their shoes first.

They chose to die rather than be unable to communicate.

mr wonder · #6 (**permalink**) 01-17-2013, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1069

Yes, how repulsive to decline to live deaf and blind.

So now terminally ill and catastrophically disabled patients who wish to end their lives are merely "uncomfortable"... kind of like women with unwanted pregnancies are merely "inconvenienced", right?
Get the hell out of other people's business. Weeping, creeping Christ.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Segep

Just because I think they made a crappy decision doesn't mean I don't think they have a right to make it.
It makes me sad, though.

makes me sad too Segep

Quote:

Originally Posted by sky dancer

They chose this.
You want to judge them? Take a walk in their shoes first.
They chose to die rather than be unable to communicate.

So you have the right to choose to have the state and drs kill you, and everyone should stay out of their business...

But it's not OK for people to choose to own Guns.
And it is OK to get into their business.
and people DON'T have a right to own guns.

But why are you judging gun owners? walk a mile in their shoes Dancer.

If i could find how the line of logic of how rights, gov't privileges and gov't protecting lives work for some people it might help.

rivrrat · #7 (**permalink**) 01-17-2013, 09:18 AM

I'm glad for them that they lived in a country that allows such a choice.

sky dancer · #8 (**permalink**) 01-17-2013, 09:25 AM

Why do I judge gun owners? That's not this threads topic. Nice deflection rat, but I will that answer that I judge gun owners because they don't store their weapons safely and their weapons end up in the wrong hands with tragic results. Gun owners take no responsibility for what happens to others when their guns are misused.

That's a completely different issue from twins who were deaf all their lives and now are losing the ability to sign on top of it.

If guns only ended up involved in suicides, that would be one thing. But they end up involved in many more innocent deaths.

Oftencold · #9 (**permalink**) 01-17-2013, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sky dancer

They chose this.

You want to judge them? Take a walk in their shoes first.

Can't. They're dead. Murdered by the State. Walking in their shoes would be grave robbing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sky dancer

They chose to die rather than be unable to communicate.

See: Helen Keller

mr wonder · #10 (**permalink**) 01-17-2013, 09:26 AM

On a personal level, I think they made the wrong choice. A lot of moral, spiritual and humane reasons for them to continue on, have hope and live.

And on the next level, the gov't and doctors stepping in to DO the deed LEGALLY is evil.
It's Murder ,simple as that.
Dr's are sworn, or used to swear, never to give anything for suicide or abortion, in the Hippocratic oath. There sworn duty is to heal and relieve suffering in life, not bring life to an end.
The gov't's ONLY ligit reason for existence is to protect life, property and liberty not to take it, except in defense.

It makes the world a much darker and unsafe place when together Drs and gov'ts are promoting euthanasia as an answer to problems.

And the thought of giving a CHILD the choice of euthanasia is insanely wicked.

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