Tetraplegic woman: Euthanasia shouldn’t be allowed for people with injuries

NewsTalk ZB 14 December 2017
Family First Comment: Christchurch woman Claire Freeman lost all movement in her limbs after a car accident when she was 17. She was told by health professionals that given the extent of her injuries, travelling overseas for assisted suicide was a legitimate option. “That would definitely have been something that I would have actively pursued had it been legal and I’m just so grateful now that it is not.”
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A tetraplegic says a voluntary euthanasia bill that has passed its first reading needs significant changes.
Christchurch woman Claire Freeman lost all movement in her limbs after a car accident when she was 17.
She told Larry Williams in the wake of her accident, she was told by health professionals that given the extent of her injuries, travelling overseas for assisted suicide was a legitimate option.
“That would definitely have been something that I would have actively pursued had it been legal and I’m just so grateful now that it is not.”
She said assisted suicide has a place in the event of a painful and terminal illness, but should not be allowed for those with grievous injuries like hers.
Claire said she attempted to end her own life after her accident and now regrets considering suicide.
“You don’t know what it’s like until you have it and my problem wasn’t my injury it was my misguided coping mechanism.”
http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/larry-williams-drive/audio/claire-freeman-euthanasia-bill-needs-significant-changes/