What most people don't get about Switzerland is that it's a fundamentally libertarian place about the personal values that matter, as long as you follow their many rules that allow people to have personal space in which to make their own decisions. It's a weird situation, but it works here.

My SO is Swiss and his best friend's mother went to Dignitas when she had terminal cancer. I've never heard anything but good things about them. They don't push anyone to do anything. You go there to die in peace and in nice surroundings.

Suicide Tourism would be a good title for a metal album.

I've been to Switzerland twice now, and it's an awesome country with good people. I didn't know about this particular issue, but it's great to allow the people the freedom if they so desire it.

coco ebert: My SO is Swiss and his best friend's mother went to Dignitas when she had terminal cancer. I've never heard anything but good things about them. They don't push anyone to do anything. You go there to die in peace and in nice surroundings.

It says so right there in the name.

Zappagirl

Hala farsi yaad gerefti yah nah?

But in all seriousness, let people go with dignity. There is no virtue in suffering and forcing dying people to continue living who do not want to only causes them pain and humiliation.

Cafeteria serves Soylent Green.

Hmmmm, raw monkey brain.

This would make an AWESOME mastercard commercial.

One way ticket to Zurich $687
Wonderful last meal at some fancy place $218
Dieing in peace with some dignity....priceless.

eff ewe: coco ebert: My SO is Swiss and his best friend's mother went to Dignitas when she had terminal cancer. I've never heard anything but good things about them. They don't push anyone to do anything. You go there to die in peace and in nice surroundings.

It says so right there in the name.

Right. As the article states, the right-wingers want to stir up trouble by accusing Dignitas of shenanigans. All these guys know how to do is shiat on foreigners and I guess now also harass terminally ill people.

Zappagirl [TotalFark] 2008-12-14 02:20:23 PM
"What most people don't get about Switzerland is that it's a fundamentally libertarian place about the personal values that matter, as long as you follow their many rules that allow people to have personal space in which to make their own decisions. It's a weird situation, but it works here."

THIS . . .

Is why I would love to visit the Land of Swiss Miss more than anywhere in Europe. Too bad it is impossible for foreigners to work / live there.

/ clicks profile
// staring at breastsesess
/// Om Nom Nom Nom

Your body is your personal property. I don't care what you do with it. I wish all the stupid jesus freaks thought the same thing.

What is dignifying about death? You leak fluids, no? You start to decay, smell, and burden those who have to deal with your removal.

There is no dignity in death.

I came here for pics of dead bodies
/leaves room unhappy

DeathByGeekSquad: What is dignifying about death? You leak fluids, no? You start to decay, smell, and burden those who have to deal with your removal.

There is no dignity in death.

Maybe there's no dignity in death, but that doesn't mean there can't be dignity in dying.

The only thing wrong with this is that it's in an industrial park. Add a Swiss chalet, and then it would be perfect.

Hubby and I have already discussed ending it on our own terms should either of us contract something fatally painful or painfully fatal. fark that noise. I see nothing noble about wasting, or writhing away.

You know, a .45 to the temple may be messy but it does tend to have a 100% success rate.

And if you consider the chance of someone finding your corpse within an hour or so very close to or practically 0%, slitting your wrists isn't THAT painful from what I hear, just get a safety razor blade and tape your thumb and forefinger together with a blade between them on the wrist you'll cut first. Remember kids, up and down, not side to the side, you don't want to sever the tendons so that you can't finish the job on the other wrist. Up and down also causes a quicker bleed out, and is less painful.

If you're going to go the poisoning route, at least have some fun, slowly OD on heroine over the course of an hour, get yourself to the point of stupidity using a build-up strategy, then juice yourself on everything you've got left (if you do it ALL at once without being buzzed first, you'll probably start to convulse/vomit as your body goes into shock, that's a no-no, gotta be comfortably numb already.)

There are so many reasons to not go for the dying in your sleep / prescription OD method, there are too many potentially horrific side affects you will experience before possible death, it's never as easy as just "going to sleep". There's a reason the really good anesthetics/painkillers are difficult to get (IE, Morphine overdose would be super quick and easy).

Personally I'd go for the wrist slit, a little pain and you just fall unconscious, just do it in a bathtub with the water running for god's sake, don't make a mess.

Faces of Death were awesome videos.

FTFA - "Other such organizations in Switzerland say they are cheaper and do not charge the patient directly, relying instead on membership fees and donations."

How well can membership fees really work out?

FTA: Dignitas says it charges 10,000 Swiss francs ($8,300) for its services, which include taking care of legal formalities and arranging consultations with a doctor willing to prescribe the deadly medicine.

yeah, real libertarian. Although I truly wish more people would off themselves, am I the only one who thinks that's too much money and bureaucracy for the inevitable?

For that much, I could kill myself with drugs and hookers in a 2 week long, sleep-free supernova, fulfilling my lifelong dream to die farking.

/it's not tragic to die doing something you love.
//A Carpet Cleaner and a Chili Dog make everything alright..
///obligatory question here

Came here for pic of Futurama 25-cent suicide booth

/disappointed

radio_silence: DeathByGeekSquad: What is dignifying about death? You leak fluids, no? You start to decay, smell, and burden those who have to deal with your removal.

There is no dignity in death.

Maybe there's no dignity in death, but that doesn't mean there can't be dignity in dying.

How would these individuals know? They're under, for all we know they could be thrashing about in the throes of an overdose before finally coming to a stop, foaming at the mouth.

Just another Heartless Weirdass

Welcome to Switzerland. Everything is expensive. My friend has to pay 5000 francs (about $4500?) just to get a driver's license. Yes, 5000 francs. But, people tend to have very high incomes so I guess it evens out.

coco ebert: My SO is Swiss and his best friend's mother went to Dignitas when she had terminal cancer. I've never heard anything but good things about them. They don't push anyone to do anything. You go there to die in peace and in nice surroundings.

It still makes me bristle.

I sorta lament that this has become accepted practice - especially when palliative care has gotten extraordinarily good over the past two decades. Something about it just flies in the face of the Hippocratic Oath and, for me only, it seems sad that we don't feverishly defend people in desperate situations.

Being a guardian to a few incapacitated people and coming from a medical family (no, I'm not a practitioner), something just keeps nagging at me and it says that there has to be a better way.

Yes, Dignitas has an excellent reputation. I'm just sorry that there is a perceived need for them.

/$.02
/YMMV

radio_silence: Maybe there's no dignity in death, but that doesn't mean there can't be dignity in dying.

So very much THIS.

My mother-in-law died a week ago, at home with Hospice (and mostly family) care. It only took a few days, but during her death a family member said, "It's a shame that we treat animals better than humans." Meaning of course, that were she a dog we would have euthanized her long before her final gasp.

God bless the Swiss.

Persepolis chanta ahdam tooyeh fark fekh meekhonee farsi harf meezanan? :P

JoJay Came here for that too. Also leaving disappointed.

coco ebert: Just another Heartless Weirdass

Welcome to Switzerland. Everything is expensive. My friend has to pay 5000 francs (about $4500?) just to get a driver's license. Yes, 5000 francs. But, people tend to have very high incomes so I guess it evens out.

If you like to drive, then Switzerland isn't the place for you. Their driving laws are rediculously strict.

The Swiss just like their control. I'm living in Switzerland, going to school here, and we have to be careful of the rules. For example, every night from 10pm to 8am is "quiet hours" where excessive noise (sometimes even just flushing a toilet) can get the police called on you. We get fined if we put trash out a night early, and often are stopped by security at night to make sure we have our residence permits on us, and are not just foreigners squatting with expired visas.

However, with all these rules, it's a nice place to live. All the controls, while sometimes irksome, contribute to a quiet and calm environment. The surroundings are gorgeous, the education I'm getting by living in an area that speaks entirely Italian is priceless. And, the Swiss treat Americans MUCH better than the French.

schizo-fun-ic: The Swiss just like their control. I'm living in Switzerland, going to school here, and we have to be careful of the rules. For example, every night from 10pm to 8am is "quiet hours" where excessive noise (sometimes even just flushing a toilet) can get the police called on you. We get fined if we put trash out a night early, and often are stopped by security at night to make sure we have our residence permits on us, and are not just foreigners squatting with expired visas.

However, with all these rules, it's a nice place to live. All the controls, while sometimes irksome, contribute to a quiet and calm environment. The surroundings are gorgeous, the education I'm getting by living in an area that speaks entirely Italian is priceless. And, the Swiss treat Americans MUCH better than the French.

Every American should spend a year living elsewhere. It really puts a great many things into perspective. It also clues you as to what you'll put up with and what you won't. Enjoy school and nail some A's.

phenn

Point taken. We shouldn't underinvest in good hospice care.

otterrr: coco ebert: Just another Heartless Weirdass

My friend has to pay 5000 francs (about $4500?) just to get a driver's license. Yes, 5000 francs.

If you like to drive, then Switzerland isn't the place for you. Their driving laws are rediculously strict.

Yeah, but it's SO much fun, as long as you actually obey the speed limits. The drivers are much more intelligent and considerate than what I have experienced in California.

And, with a lack of giant cars on the road, driving a Smart car isn't such a scary experience. At least, I never felt like i was going to end up smooshed between a Ritalin addled soccer mom and a guy in a raised pickup.

poorjon: Suicide Tourism would be a good title for a metal album.

I call Rule #35 on this one: If it exists, and sounds dark enough, there is Metal of it.
/Read below

Doom/Stoner Metal



Details:
Singer-guitarist Gina Volpe grew an even bigger set of cojones for Bantam's second album,the upcoming Suicide Tourist. Marrying brute force with bewitching melodies, the songs drop like an anvil-a sexy anvil-and Gina's vocals rip the airwaves. - Village Voice

When a human suffers they have to just tough it out, or perhaps in the worst of situations they will have their feeding tube removed, thus starving them to death over the next weeks or months. An incredibly painful way to die.

However if a pet were to suffer it's "humane" to kill them quickly and without pain.

// this does not make sense to me

Nice to see all the pro deathers.
Why can't we win at the polls?

otterrr: coco ebert: Just another Heartless Weirdass

Welcome to Switzerland. Everything is expensive. My friend has to pay 5000 francs (about $4500?) just to get a driver's license. Yes, 5000 francs. But, people tend to have very high incomes so I guess it evens out.

If you like to drive, then Switzerland isn't the place for you. Their driving laws are rediculously strict.

Yeah, no passing on the right? WTF is that? I would never last on the roads there. Luckily you don't need a car because the public transport is so good. That's why the SO is 33 and has never gotten his license.

Malinki: Cafeteria serves Soylent Green.

Soylent Green IS People!

I know more than you: When a human suffers they have to just tough it out, or perhaps in the worst of situations they will have their feeding tube removed, thus starving them to death over the next weeks or months. An incredibly painful way to die.

However if a pet were to suffer it's "humane" to kill them quickly and without pain.

// this does not make sense to me

I'll try to give you my rambling take on this.

Firstly, a circuit court ordering the deprivation of food and fluids on a non-dying person who could never have consented to such an action has nothing to do with medical treatment decisions. It's murder to me and I realize I'll get dogpiled for that, but I'll never apologize for feeling that way. Such a thing assumes that the government - not you - owns your life and your body.

The other stuff is a bit more complex.

The Patient Self Determination Act of 1990 (Signed by the first President Bush) gives the individual a bit more freedom in denying themselves certain types of medical intervention. For the most part, I think it's good law.

You - and only you - should have the authority to decide what is appropriate treatment for yourself. Absent your ability to vocalize such things, a qualified proxy or attorney in fact is a lot more persuasive than a piece of paper.

I don't believe in life at all costs as some religious folks might. However, I am uncomfortable with the embracing of death over treatment that we've seen over the past few years. Couple of reasons. People seem to view themselves as commodities and, therefore, burdens if someone has to look after them. Also, people don't seem to be aware of the high quality of palliative care that exists. Cost of care is a major factor as well. If healthcare weren't outrageously expensive and corrupt, we would probably never hear a peep about dying with dignity.

The man profiled in this report was dealing with a profoundly degenerative condition and even admitted that he was afraid of suffering and causing suffering to those around him. That's a powerful farking emotion. I'm not sure how you cut through that or if you even should. I'm just sorry he felt hopeless.

It's a mixed bag, mate. Though I deeply value life, I can understand the fear, the limits of care, the desire to be a non-burden.

Maybe medical science needs to catch up a bit. Instead of better implants, we could probably use better pain management and occupational therapy.

Not here to start a thread-burn. Just very moved by these issues.

otterrr:
If you like to drive, then Switzerland isn't the place for you. Their driving laws are rediculously strict.

Tip O the Day:

"Ridiculous" is based on the word "ridicule".
So the beginning of the word is spelled the same way.
The "re" prefix usually means "back" or "again", which wouldn't make any sense with the word ridiculous.

No need to thank me or send me money.

usrid0: Faces of Death were awesome videos.

Boy, you're edgy. 20 years ago.

/take that, society

Begoggle:

Yeah, it makes me cringe when I hear people mispronounce that word. I haven't given much thought as to why, but I see that your explanation is correct.

Craig Ewert sounds familiar to me. Anyone know where he taught in the US?

I'm going out in a hail of gunfire.

/most likely though I'll keel over after one too many chicken wings during an intense playoff game... but I can dream.

Dignitas assisted my suicide last month, so I'm getting a kick out of these replies.

Why go out with dignity?

What about place where they have prostitutes giving you a full service and just as you climax, an explosive collar propels your head from your body into a basketball hoop and sets off a fanfare and a lottery machine?

MBA Whore: Zappagirl [TotalFark] 2008-12-14 02:20:23 PM
"What most people don't get about Switzerland is that it's a fundamentally libertarian place about the personal values that matter, as long as you follow their many rules that allow people to have personal space in which to make their own decisions. It's a weird situation, but it works here."

THIS . . .

Is why I would love to visit the Land of Swiss Miss more than anywhere in Europe. Too bad it is impossible for foreigners to work / live there.

/ clicks profile
// staring at breastsesess
/// Om Nom Nom Nom

I backpacked thru Europe from April to November this year and the only place I stopped and worked was in Switzerland for the month of August and then spent the next 2 1/2 weeks going thru the Alps... pretty sick hey..

Switzerland is amazing.

Barbecue Bob: Nice to see all the pro deathers.
Why can't we win at the polls?

You keep killing yourselves before you get to the polls. Of course that wouldn't be a problem if you lived in Chicagobamaland.

" I love the movies, love 'em. Now, I'm watching Terminator 2 the other day, and I'm thinking to myself: They cannot top the stunts in this film, they cannot top this shiat, unless ... they start using terminally ill people as stunt people in feature films ... well, hear me out, 'cause I know to a lot of you this may seem a little cruel. "Aww, Bill, terminally ill stunt people? That's cruel!" You know what I think's cruel? Leaving your loved ones to die in a hospital room surrounded by strangers. fark that! Put 'em in the movies! What, you wanna let your grandmother live out her last days in a sterile hospital room, with translucent skin so thin you can see her last heartbeat work its way down her blue veins? Or do you want her to meet... Chuck Norris? "

-Bill Hicks

HowlingFrog: "...they start using terminally ill people as stunt people in feature films ..." -Bill Hicks



/Mercy Hospital...