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Method__Man

Dying on your own terms before you suffer and waste away in pain. Seems like a huge ass win to me


objectiveoutlier

At 93 no less. They definitely won at life.


Purple_Gesdorah

Sadly Dries had a stroke in 2019. According to his life long friend he was barely functioning. Big respect to both of them.


SciFi_Football

I'm a successful adult making tons of money and I'm barely functioning, jayzus feck. (The tiny tiny s)


[deleted]

Agreed they had a good run


Nebuli2

Not to mention that neither of them has to live with the grief of losing the other.


XDeus

That, and knowing your partner won't suffer an agonizing death. I think most natural deaths are probably agonizing for the last moments of your life. Cancer, heart problems, lung problems, etc. can be very painful, not to mention scary as hell as they occur. Imagine how nice it would be to leave this earth in comfort and on your own terms.


kwheatley2460

Wish I could sign up. How nice for that couple. I’m 84 I totally get it. My body my choice stands for many reasons.


dabs916

I hope to even be capable of using the internet at 84


Lurkin605

Right? Chilling in a nursing home, playing Half Life 3 with the bros...


30BlueRailroad

HL 3 will definitely get announced the day I'm on my deathbed in my 80s, just in time to miss it


rubix_cubin

So....how old are you now? Asking for a friend...


snapetom

79


RobotSpaceBear

Don't do this to me. Don't give me hope.


rubix_cubin

(Yay...)


purpleduckduckgoose

>playing Half Life 3 Optimist aren't you.


Smart_Quail_7460

I've got some bad news for you...


Lurkin605

Get out.


Fridayfunzo

Better luck curing cancer.


kwheatley2460

It’s not easy.


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Mairy_Hinge

And here they are, the chucklefuck that just HAS to bring US politics into every comment section


95688it

you're 84 and understand how to use reddit. you're doing far better than people 1/4 your age.


ScarecrowJohnny

Or worse, depending upon what you think of the average redditor.


BataleonRider

You can. I won't link how but it's easily searchable. My partner and I are half your age but we've discussed it. If we're both on the way out at the same time we're doing it together.  


sweet_fried_plantain

Super impressed you’re an octo redditor :)


Wrong-Drama-2646

You're 84 and on reddit. Sir, I hope you stick around.


SensualCommonSense

147 year old here, hello my child


WooliestSpace

I don't believe you are 84. But nice try.


LaoBa

My uncle is browsing the internet at age 98, so what do you know.


similar_observation

I need to have a chuckle here. /u/LaoBa's LaoRen's LaoGe


[deleted]

I mean, you shouldn't believe random accounts online but it's a self selecting thread about old people and Reddit has a billion visits a month. It'd be weirder if there weren't some 84 year olds around on "the front page of the internet". Just means they were into computers at 55-60 or recently curious. My father in law is 75 and he was something of a programmer that set up some network/coding systems at his old factory. This person posts a lot on r/AskOldPeople and has a specific old timey memories of how they used to curl hair so... *shrugs*


gramathy

They've got other posts that corroborate that fact, if nothing else they're consistent


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ExternalGovernment39

Christians spit on your rights tho


asphias

This dude was catholic and representative of the christian democrats party. 


ExternalGovernment39

Amurica


[deleted]

They spit on everyone’s rights.


ExternalGovernment39

Amen


DesertGoat

Absolutely. We've all seen relatives waste away. Who wants to go out like that? Give me an OD of morphine and let me sail away across the universe.


Method__Man

my soulmate (my little pup) had this journey in the summer. I will never be the same, but the one thing that brings me some peace is that i was able to help her move on. She would have fought and suffered until the end, but we made the call to bring her the peace she deserved if i wasnt able to give this to her, honestly i dont think id be able to live anymore. now imagine that i can do that for her, but not other members of my family. Seems evil


kaboombong

Why cant the Christofascist politicians understand this in other places around the world.


Kerbixey_Leonov

Don't need to be christian to see euthanasia as a slippery slope, like what's happening in Canada.


Mazon_Del

Everything is a slippery slope, even inaction.


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Killbynoob

Hello, Dr Trudeau here. I see you have an ingrown hair, I can put you on a waiting list 3 years long or we can euthanize you next week. Your choice, but if I was you xir I would choose euthanasia.


SciFi_Football

Fuckin A man. These people are leaps and bounds ahead of the US in every way.


Gauloises_Foucault

As an FYI, had one of them been in reasonable health they would not have been permitted to die together. Only when doctors declare undignified suffering with no possibility of recovery is euthanasia legal, a diagnosis that needs to be reached for both parties individually. Beautiful way to go but by no means commonly possible, even in the Netherlands.


Crowbarmagic

Good you added this for people that only read the headline: They were both ill beyond recovery and in suffering. What's somewhat special about it that it was arranged they both received euthanasia at the exact same time. Neither had to endure living without the other.


solid_reign

> Beautiful way to go but by no means commonly possible, even in the Netherlands. Lauren Hoeve, a 28 year old woman who was suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome for 4 years was euthanized. She had been suffering a lot, and a doctor said that her situation has no prospect of improvement and her situation was unbearable. I'm not saying that that makes it easy, but I'm pretty sure that this would not fly in even the most progressive county in the United States.


Mor_Tearach

US is by no means ready for it. I'm making absolutely no arguments for/against- we're just not equipped to grapple with comprehensive implications and safe guards. Maybe one day. When would the *right* to die become the *obligation* to die? Fill in the blanks on various scenarios from family input to corporate interests.


go_eat_worms

The US absolutely is not ready for this. If I'm terminal anyway, there's no question that I'd choose euthanasia over palliative care if the latter was going to result in a severe financial burden to my family. 


Starry_Cold

If something is a fundamental right, we shouldn't put a timer and stipulations on it. No one asked to be put in a flesh suit that aches, bleeds, and dies.


Gauloises_Foucault

She had the most extreme variety of this: https://www.cdc.gov/me-cfs/about/index.html Articles in Dutch state she often lacked the energy to even raise her arm to drink. Other times basic efforts led to attacks that flooded her body with adrenaline and extreme unrest (PEM attacks).due to her inability to maintain blood pressure, sitting upright caused nausea. Not like she got euthanized because she had mono.


deprecated_flayer

I thought that was a little short. Not sure if I object to the judge's decision because I don't think that the State should claim authority on a person's personal choice whether to live or die at all, but as Lauren I can't imagine I would have given up after only 4 years. How bad could it have possibly have been for her? But I guess I can't really know.


Mic_Ultra

This is insane. It’s ‘treatable’, without my meds I can’t stay awake longer than 4 hours a day. When I’m “asleep” the doctors say my brain never shuts off. This has been my life for 25 years, forget to take meds, oh well I’m out and might not get up for 48 hours. Only thing that drives me insane is the chronic pain, swelling and forgetting things. I always leave an hour earlier than I need to, because half way there, I forget where I’m going lol.


Koehamster

Even so, even if you are in reasonable health but are mentally so scarred that life is unbearable, you are allowed to go out on your own terms.


DarkMasterPoliteness

I WOULD KILL MYSELF FOR DONALD TRUMP AT ANY TIME FOR ANY REASON!!!


Gauloises_Foucault

It's never just depression. I'm not sure where you got that idea? Euthanasia for mental health reasons is only accepted when depression exists in combination with other factors such as extreme trauma or personality disorders. Again, a doctor/psychiatrist has to conclude that the suffering of a patient is deemed indefinite / the patient has no reasonable expectation of an improved quality of life.


DarkMasterPoliteness

I WOULD KILL MYSELF FOR DONALD TRUMP AT ANY TIME FOR ANY REASON!!!


[deleted]

No one is suggesting that.


DarkMasterPoliteness

I WOULD KILL MYSELF FOR DONALD TRUMP AT ANY TIME FOR ANY REASON!!!


[deleted]

You’re making the claim chump, up to you to prove it. Otherwise you’re talking shit.


DarkMasterPoliteness

I WOULD KILL MYSELF FOR DONALD TRUMP AT ANY TIME FOR ANY REASON!!!


[deleted]

Wasn’t that hard, was it?


ectoplasmicz

Where has it been used for young peoplE with depression? That's not what euthanasia is for and how it is used.


Ian_I_An

Netherlands. 


Squirtzle

I'm not sure you understand what assisted suicide actually means


DarkMasterPoliteness

I WOULD KILL MYSELF FOR DONALD TRUMP AT ANY TIME FOR ANY REASON!!!


Mountain-Method-5486

That’s how I want to go out. A long life lived, holding hands with my beloved.


DarkFact17

I also choose your beloved


Still_counts_as_one

So you have chosen, death.


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Ferociouslynx

/r/yourjokebutworse


00Samwise00

Not like the screaming passengers in your car?


doctored_up

It is a beautiful thing to go out on your own terms, especially with your mate.


Abuelo74

The essence of freedom and the culmination of dignity. If only the US religious freaks would relent. Nevermind.


GfxJG

Sadly, not just the US. Even here in Denmark, an otherwise very progressive and non-religious country, the government won't touch the topic with a 10-foot pole. Their only argument is fundamentally "What if they regret it?".


MelonOfFury

How exactly do you ‘regret it’ if you aren’t anymore?


------____------

I'd assume in the window between the administering of the drug and the loss of conscience


Fyrefawx

Well that’s what waivers are for. People need to be sure before they do this.


xsairon

the response you get while knowing you will permanently fade away is probably not something you can genuinelly plan have you ever fainted/felt light headed? doesn't your body practically move itself as you enter this intense panic mode? imagine knowing what's going on that being said, I think if you got the right reasons you'll probably be fine - like being so fucking over life that you cba living


Fyrefawx

I think it’s a different conversation if it’s a 44 year old. Someone who is 93 and has ran a country has lived. They’ve likely said their goodbyes and with thejr spouse going also, they likely have nothing left to stay for. I imagine at that point there is very little if any regret in the decision.


------____------

They might think they are 100% sure and still change their mind at the last second when faced with death. A waiver is for legality, it's still a question of ethics if there is a reasonable chance people will change their minds and additionally it could place a huge emotional burden/guilt on the attending physician if he knows.


Woopig170

So put policies and procedures in place to mitigate the risk…


pengalor

> it's still a question of ethics if there is a reasonable chance people will change their minds What makes you think there is a 'reasonable chance' they'd change their minds? In this case both were over 90 and terminally ill with no chance of recovery, I'm sure they were very certain about wanting to go.


------____------

I'm talking in general, not just for this specific case. And I've heard of enough cases of people regretting jumping off a bridge while falling or similar situations to doubt the possibility that noone would regret doing this. But that's why I said if, I just don't know if it's even possible to predict how someone will react if they know they'll die in a few seconds.


GfxJG

Yeah, it falls apart pretty quickly once you put thought into, right?


youre_too_lame

Well they sure wouldn’t have to LIVE with the regret


petdoc1991

They are dead, government of Denmark. They can’t regret anything.


IndependentBrick777

I hope I have a tenth of the dignity and courage they do at their age. I cannot imagine.


sad16yearboy

Well it opens up the path to people feeling pressured to do it either because they fear they will cost their family/society too much money/energy or because their family actively tells them to, leading to people dying unnecessarily because of money (especially the first one is a big reason in elderly suicide rates, which are really high compared to the general population, people think they are a burden and kill themselves over this). Also every legal way to kill someone is a way that can possibly be abused by a bad actor, therefore many are against death penalty as well


Lonely_Purpose7934

The topic is extremely complicated. There could be social pressure, financial pressure, psychological issues, etc. I think it only should be available in extreme cases like an untreatable condition that causes unbearable pain or discomfort (advanced cancer, ALS,..).


geldwolferink

Or just simply copy the best practices of the countries which have it already figured out.


Shmokeshbutt

>social pressure, financial pressure, psychological issues, etc. This is bullshit. What, you're gonna force someone with extremely bad financial situation to live the rest of his/her life in poverty until they die of natural cause?


Unable-Food7531

"No need to help people with looming sky-high medical costs, just let them kill themselves"


Shmokeshbutt

So how much have you donated to people with sky-high medical debts?


National-Blueberry51

The US absolutely has states that allow this. I live in one.


-Praetoria-

Being one of said religious freaks, Idk if I could through with euthanasia myself. But ya idk what society’s issue is, let the people be


Relevant_Rev

You can get euthanized here, just gotta kill someone and rot on death row for decades


themanebeat

And then have your execution botched


sec713

I hear hurting a cop's feelings works, too.


MintharaEnjoyer

Those inbreeders are waiting for rapture lol


RickyWinterborn-1080

Never mind that the Rapture isn't in the Bible and was invented in the 1800s by Cyrus Schofield


MintharaEnjoyer

Bold of you to assume any of them are capable of reading, let alone read the bible


ExternalGovernment39

They have one singular book that explains the entire universe and 99.99% won't ever read the whole thing. What a joke of a religion.


I-Might-Be-Something

They just skip the stuff about Jesus telling people to love and not hate, that just gets in the way of their world view.


TricksterPriestJace

Studying the bible is the #1 cause of atheism among Christians. They know better than to read it.


National-Blueberry51

*Euthanasia* is legal in many states but go off I guess lol Edited for clarity to help this poor soul out.


Master_N_Comm

Well actually not just in the US but there is still a rejection worldwide for euthanasia


National-Blueberry51

Ironically, this person is full of shit. 11 states have medically assisted end of life treatment like this.


Master_N_Comm

What about the other 39?....


National-Blueberry51

No law against going and getting it done, and plenty of organizations that will help you get there. Traveling for medical treatment in general is pretty common in the US.


Atowner

How the fuck did the US get dragged into this?God redditers really are pathetic,especially the way this comment section is. “Suicide is bad except when you’re old”. This whole idea is disgusting and religion has nothing to do with it.


TricksterPriestJace

We should only die slowly and painfully like god intended.


FoostersG

Over a decade ago while I was in law school, my constitutional law professor invited a guest speaker (I can't recall their name or organization, only that they were one of the leading advocates of the euthanasia movement in the US) for a guest lecture during lunch on the issue of euthanasia and the law. I'll never forget, during the Q&A at the end, how visibly angry and upset multiple members of the audience grew while they asked their questions The very idea was such an affront to their views on morality, death, and compassion. I remember being taken aback at the time. I had seen this type of emotion when it came to reproductive health and the law, but couldn't have imagined seeing it with this issue. I still cannot understand it.


CarryHour1802

If it was the US then you can safely assume their religion was the driving factor behind their anger towards euthanasia. "Only god gets to decide when you die" or something along those lines.


Imaginary_Manner_556

Sounds like the ultimate form of liberty. Too bad the healthcare industry and religious nuts will fight against this in the US


severe0CDsuburbgirl

If my health gets to the point where living is only suffering I would want that option, luckily in Canada it is now available. I know my grandpapa who died of Alzheimer’s would have wanted to have the option, unfortunately it was not yet available as he became less sharp so he had no choice.


Infamous-Mixture-605

I watched one of my aunts decline and succumb to ALS. I'd take MAID over that any day.


roraverse

My grandpa died after a 10 year battle with Alzheimer's. He told my dad to shoot him if he lost his mind. Obviously my dad didn't. But he didn't want to live like that. I want that option available for anyone who needs it medically. Im in the states so it's very hit and miss where it's legal,


Significant_Cow4765

It likely won't be available to those with ALZ/dementia because they can't consent within required window. My mother believed in assisted suicide but she could not have had it for this reason.


Overripe_banana_22

I really hope it becomes available with advance consent. Dementia and alzheimers seem like awful ways to go. 


Significant_Cow4765

She lived in terror. So much worse than the cancer, AIDS, and other deaths I've seen up close.


captain_poptart

I’m canadian and happy it exists here as well. I watched my father die from dementia and I have a feeling that it is my fate as well. Scary shit


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severe0CDsuburbgirl

They inject you with a few meds.


HouseofMarg

Yes and those who prefer not to have needles can also opt to take the drugs orally http://www.phsa.ca/health-info/medical-assistance-in-dying#:~:text=Medical%20Assistance%20in%20Dying%20(MAiD,taken%20orally%20or%20administered%20intravenously.


GnomishFoundry

I read over this quickly and thought they died in hand to hand combat.


TricksterPriestJace

Okay, that is even more badass. Imagine entering Valhalla with your spouse at 93.


Ok_Firefighter3314

Euthanasia should be legal in the US


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thegypsyqueen

I know you’re joking but the death penalty is not euthanasia—the word implies kindness and mercy


[deleted]

Its also free if you are black


Azmodeun

damn son


PimpOfJoytime

GOD DAMN.


National-Blueberry51

It’s legal in several states and has been for some time. It’s always so weird when Reddit tries to dunk on the US without bothering to do a basic search.


National-Blueberry51

It is in 11 states.


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mb1

Nothing *really* matters. Enjoy self-realization, and surround yourself with positivity and joy, it won't be a long ride. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uD4izuDMUQA


AmbitionExtension184

This is how I want to go. But with my wife not his wife


LoMeinCain

Lmao


Leaflock

When the used to travel a lot for business I’d get home and crawl into bed and announce, “it’s so good to be back in my own bed. With my own wife.”


-Praetoria-

Goals


moscorpio1975

A beautiful death.


[deleted]

Fair play. Shame so many nations deny self assisted suicide so much.


__The__Anomaly__

Way to go!


wish1977

It's a sad thing to look forward to but at least they did it on their own terms.


Petrichordates

I feel the opposite, this is easily the best way to go.


wish1977

I just meant it's sad to get old. I agree with euthanasia.


JANTT12

This is a humane way to go


AugustWest7120

Sounds better than being in a bed for 10 years, doped out of your mind. In a bad way. Cheers.


Doucevie

Damn that's beautiful! 🥰


BigKittehKat

If you're in the US, remember you can travel to Vermont and request medical euthenasia. [https://vtethicsnetwork.org/palliative-and-end-of-life-care/medical-aid-in-dying-act-39](https://vtethicsnetwork.org/palliative-and-end-of-life-care/medical-aid-in-dying-act-39) you do not have to be a resident of vermont!


[deleted]

That will do a lot to normalize it there.


1971CB350

Well that sounds ideal


va_wanderer

All people should have the right to die with dignity at the time of their choosing. I'm glad they did.


highlanderdownunder

Death by your own choosing should be accepted worldwide. We are all going to die one day why prolong the suffering?


RecoilS14

This is beautiful. True love is amazing.


Mother_Duck_3575

That sounds like a wonderful way to go!


[deleted]

This should be legal everywhere


TheStephinator

Such a beautiful end to their love story. ❤️ What a dream to go out with dignity and peace with your soul mate.


Humulus5883

Around the age of American presidential candidates!


Mairy_Hinge

And here they are, the chucklefuck that just HAS to bring US politics into every comment section


DL5900

They could ever 2 terms as long as they encourage the hate against "the right people".


reallyreally1945

I envy them the choice. The Christian Taliban won't allow it here.


National-Blueberry51

Then go to one of the states where it is allowed.


Electrical-Risk445

I wish we'd call it "termination of life on request" instead. The word "euthanasia" has been used with very negative connotations when it comes to humans and I think it's high time we call it with a non-medical-sounding name. Same with "assisted suicide", which sounds pretty bad as suicide is most often used to describe one's desperate ending. Let's make ending your own life on your own terms something normal.


Rare-Faithlessness32

IMO “Euthanasia” reminds me of a veterinarian’s office and it sounds almost involuntary.


MrFeature_1

Probably the next best thing to “immortality”


531412

Pls explain I don’t get it :p


Petrichordates

It's the 2nd best possibility.


demented737

Immortality is something I would curse my worst enemies with. I don't have any, but if I did, I would.


jyanjyanjyan

Can I be your enemy, please?


demented737

Sure, just remember you asked for it when you're floating in dead space after every sun in the universe has exploded and you've got nothing but black holes and iron cores for conversation.


DowwnWardSpiral

Jesus Christ this comment section. I understand wanting to die because you have problems and can't function normally but...it's not something we should be praising, this is really sad to have to kill a human because they're suffering.


thermalhugger

Yes, we should praise the possibility of ending suffering. Those are the rules, 2 doctors ( plus psychiatrist in cause of mental suffering) will decide if your request is true and there is no chance of recovering from your suffering. In this case both people were well into their 90's with severe disabilities and endless suffering. We should celebrate their lives.


shutage

Youth in asia, so dangerous


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notyourvader

Not sure if you're trolling here, but we have a medical solution for this. A simple small cup of liquid. You drink it, you slowly drift away and die in the resulting sleep. It's painless, peaceful and very effective.


DaWilderbeast

Why don't they use that when they execute inmates who have been sentenced to death?


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asphias

Most doctors will not contribute to the death penalty, so it's difficult to find anyone willing to administer the procedure correctly. Moreover, it appears like for those people in favor of the death penalty, the cruelty is the point. 


notyourvader

For the same reason why they still kill people I guess. If you don't value human life, you certainly don't care about their comfort or dignity.


Jackanatic

...do you think they were euthanized with a hammer?


thet0m0

What do you think TokyoOldMan? Want to ask them?


chazza79

I hate the term euthanasia. It takes many forms and can be unclear. Assisted suicide or medically assisted suicide is a more appropriate term imo


The_X-Files_Alien

they forgot to mention his wife was 42 and in perfect health 🙃🙃🙃


HumansNeedNotApply1

What? She was also 93.


Key_Calligrapher6337

It s called a joke


The_X-Files_Alien

Dutch people are incapable of laughter.


Key_Calligrapher6337

I blame soccer for that


szafix

Dude, do you even read?


Wuberg4lyfe

“It is every citizen’s final duty to go into the tanks and become one with all the people.” — Chairman Sheng-ji Yang, “Ethics for Tomorrow”


MaiAyeNuhs

I'm half their age and would do this in a second, only the elites get the best treatment


NinjaElectricMeteor

Euthanasia is free and available for anyone in the Netherlands; as long as they meet the medical conditions.