so sad

The British Conductor Sir Edward Thomas Downes has died at the age of 85 after travelling to the assisted suicide centre DIGNATAS with his 74 year old wife of 40 years, Joan. She had been suffering from a terminal illness and he was blind and almost deaf..they died peaceful "together" a family member reported.
This story upset me greatly, and not just for the reasons that you may think....as long as a clinical depression is NOT a factor in any decision making, I would like to think that in special cases like this, a centre in Britain could be developed to "help" individuals like the Downes seek a dignified and autonomous death.

The only thing that I do worry about dignatas, and that is I suspect it is only utilised by the more articulate and the informed. ( and perhaps the rich?)...what happens to the poor? or the less informed....humm like all health care provision....they seem to be the last ones "allowed" to access it......

anyhow.....this does not detract from the fact that this is a terribly sad story.