- LETTER TO POLITICIANS 12/07/07 -

Mary Walsh, PO Box 204, Glen Huntly, 3163
Website: www.yourchoiceindying.com
Email: choice@yourchoiceindying.com


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Dear Victorian Politician as addressed: ………………………………………………………………………………….

Ref: Choice and Dignity in Dying

Did you see us there on Parliament Steps, June 20th, in the freezing cold, demonstrating for your benefit to show our solidarity for legislative change to the Medical Treatment Act 1988? Did you notice the tears frozen on many cheeks? Did you see anything?

We wanted to catch your attention. We hope we’d done that! Perhaps 150 – 200 people representing thousands!

The young, old, frail, sick, the nurses, the doctors, the healthy! Did you notice the sea of white hair? No abusive language, no baton charging policemen needed….We stood quietly and solemnly listening to our Speakers, who included three Members of Parliament, Steve Guest’s brother, and others. You’d remember Steve Guest as the 50 year plus political journalist, dying slowly and painfully of oesophageal cancer who participated in Davor Dirlic’s SBS documentary, Do Not Resuscitate filmed November 2006. Filmed as he was dying! Wanting to die as his dog had, quickly and peacefully!. He got his wish eventually, but not easily!

Did you notice Judy Bayliss, suffering MS in her wheelchair? Out there in front!, having great difficulty in just communicating because of her illness. An intelligent woman, who wants the choice to die when she can no longer cope with her extreme disabilities from toilet, mobility of any limb, to eating. Can you imagine just for a moment what a trial her very existence can be for her?

In respect to the message Steve publicized at a time he was terminally ill, weak in body, strong in mind we ask you as our Victorian representative able to make the ultimate difference to so many sick and frail, by allowing choice for the individual.

Basically, here in Australia, in Victoria, we want our Victorian politicians to heed this International Manifesto, please.

WORLD FEDERATION MANIFESTO:
The World Federation of Right to Die Societies (an international non-governmental organisation) is aware of the increasing concern of many individuals over their right to die with dignity. Believing in the rights and freedom of all persons, we affirm this right to die with dignity, meaning in peace and without suffering.
All competent adults - regardless of their nationalities, professions, religious beliefs, and ethical and political views, who are suffering unbearably from an incurable illness, should have the possibility of various choices at the end of their lives. Death is unavoidable. We strongly believe that the manner and time of dying should be left to the decision of the individual assuming such demands do not result in harm to society, other than the sadness associated with death.
The voluntarily expressed will of individuals, once they are fully informed of their diagnosis, prognosis and available means of relief, should be respected by all concerned as an expression of intrinsic human rights.
Tokyo 2004/Toronto 2006

For years now, Dr Rodney Syme has worked with Dying with Dignity Victoria to bring about change, and with the 2006 ALP State Conference passing the Resolution that enables people to die with dignity (to a degree) what we need now, is its implementation.

Please support Ken Smith, Liberal, Colleen Hartland, Greens, and Maxine Morand, Labor when the Private Members Bill comes before Parliament. Please make your vote a compassionate one, for all our sakes, and I thank you in anticipation.

Mary Walsh
July 15, 2007
 

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