All smiles as Tara Cheyne’s Progressive Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill passes in the ACT.

The Legislative Assembly voted overwhelmingly to support the law 20 votes to 5 votes, 80%, which is remarkably close to the level of community support for VAD in Australia.

What a historical moment today and the culmination of a decades-long fight for compassionate end of life choice. The content of the ACT bill gives the other states something to aim for in future reviews of their legislation. Only the Northern Territory to go. It is rather ironic that the Northern Territory were the first to pass VAD legislation with their Rights of the Terminally Ill bill way back in 1995. This bill was overturned by the Howard Government soon after.

Ian Wood

May 19, 2022  It took many years of lobbying for this additional compassionate end of life choice, however the NSW Legislative Council, after considering around 100 adverse amendments in a long debate, and rejecting them all, passed the final stage of the VAD Bill 2021 by a substantial majority of 23 votes to 15. The Bill had passed the Lower House 52 votes to 32 on the last sitting day of 2021.   The final version of the VAD Bill was then adopted in the Lower House on 19.5.2022.

A previous NSW Bill was lost by just one vote in 2017, about the same time Victoria passed their VAD Act.

This is an emotional time, as I think back to my late friend and mentor, Rev Trevor Bensch, who co-founded our group with me early in 2009.  Trevor was a hospital chaplain, and some of what he had witnessed led him to support the VAD choice.  We met with The Advertiser reporter Jill Pengelley in the vestry of North Adelaide Baptist Church, and this article was our first piece of publicity!

We have updated our terminology since to reflect that used in all Australian VAD legislation.

Above: Rev Trevor Bensch with our first Patron, Kym Bonython AC, DFC, AFC

I must thank every person who has written and spoken to MPs, those who have shared their stories of loved ones who endured needless suffering at the end of their lives, every Voluntary Assisted Dying Group in each state and territory, Andrew Denton and the team at Go Gentle Australia, Rev Dr Craig de Vos B.V.Sc., Dip.P.S., B.Th.(Hons.), Ph.D., and so many others who have assisted me in our part in reaching this goal. Huge thanks go also to Alex Greenwich MP, all the co-sponsors of the VAD Bill, Adam Searle MLC for his work in the Legislative Council, and every MP who spoke and voted to pass the Bill.

Of course the final step in VAD legislation throughout Australia is to have the Right of the Territories to enact VAD legislation restored.  This was taken away in what is known as the ‘Andrews Bill’ by the Howard Government, after our Northern Territory under the guidance of Marshall Perron became the first jurisdiction in the world to pass a ‘Rights of the Terminally Ill Act 1995’ to give end of life choice.

We do need to be aware that it will be18 months before VAD actually becomes available in NSW, to allow for setting up all the facets of the Bill re access.

To those who have opposed this legislation – we do remind you that the key word is voluntary and there is no compulsion for you to use the law in any way.  We all support more funding for palliative care, and better access to palliative care in remote and country areas, but also know that the Voluntary Assisted Dying choice is needed in addition to the best possible PC.

History has been made and the wishes of a huge majority of the community have been respected..

Ian Wood, Spokesperson.

Tragically, on the same date, September 22, but in 2017, Elizabeth Holmes, who had been in agony for some time from stage 4 breast cancer and other serious health problems, decided the only way to relieve her suffering was to take her own life in Tamworth, New South Wales.  As Elizabeth (Liz) noted just prior to her death, this desperate action could have been avoided if NSW had had a Voluntary Assisted Dying Law.  Such a law would have given Liz a compassionate extra choice in the manner of her dying.

New South Wales is now the only state remaining without a VAD law,  It is time!  COVID-19  has made many of us contemplate our dying and should not be used as a reason for delaying legislation.

This following speech by Sandra Nelson, MLA for Katherine, NT,   talks of the circumstances prior to the death of Elizabeth Holmes.  It is surely yet another reason why a Voluntary Assisted Dying  law is needed  in New South Wales.           The speech has now been shared with all NSW Members of Parliament by Elizabeth Holmes’ daughter.
Posted here, including photos, with permission. 

ADJOURNMENT – EUTHANASIA
23 November 2017
Madam Speaker, I rise tonight to commend Premier of Victoria – Daniel Andrews and his government on the historic passing of voluntary euthanasia laws which were passed in Victoria’s Upper House on Wednesday 22nd November.
Madam Speaker , There are few topics as popular, and yet divisive, as euthanasia. Both sides raise compelling arguments, and those arguments are numerous.

End of life care for the terminally ill or those with ir-remediable illnesses is dictated by law, regardless of what is in the best interests of the patient. The current prohibition on assisted suicide is at odds with our otherwise patient-centred health system, it’s almost contradictory. This is the one area of medical care in which the patient’s views cannot be considered and taken into account in determining a course of action.

Many of those who would seek assisted suicide are not physically capable of taking their own life. Even where a person is capable of taking action themselves, it is my opinion that it is barbaric to leave them with the choice between a potentially long and undignified death or violent options to take their own life.

The Northern Territory likes to think of itself as frontier country – it was certainly at the forefront of the international debate over euthanasia. On 25 May 1995 it became the first jurisdiction in the world to pass laws allowing a doctor to end the life of a terminally ill patient at the patient’s request. In doing so, the law permitted both physician-assisted suicide, and active voluntary euthanasia in some circumstances.

And under the Rights of the Terminally Ill Act 1995 (NT) strict conditions applied: it is neither an unqualified ‘licence to kill’ nor an unqualified affirmation of a competent adult patient’s right to assistance in dying.

Madam Speaker, a couple of weeks ago I was visited in my electorate office by Sharon Cramp and her husband Spud.
Sharon and Spud shared with me the story about Sharon’s beautiful mother, Elizabeth Ann Holmes. Liz broke her back when she was 53, she battled breast cancer for 12 years, and had 2 hip replacements (one that dislocated itself early this year). She had a terrific career; she worked in a bank, she raised money in the Miss Australia Quest,

worked as a model, worked in retail, worked as a divisional secretary for a prominent insurance company, and also worked as a volunteer Life Line counsellor for 18 years.

And most importantly, Liz was a devoted and dedicated wife and mother.
Liz kept a very detailed diary; which Sharon has shared with me. Liz’s diary explains in detail the decisions she was faced with before she took her own life this September. Liz was 77 years old when she died.

Sharon has shared also with me a letter that her mother wrote to her. And I will read that letter now.
“To everyone I love, especially Wayne, Sharon and Wendy. I was so looking forward to my life after my two hip surgeries. I have not been able to walk or drive for years……….for the first time after the second operation and I knew my life was ruined. My dream of training into Melbourne to visit my son and grandkids and also to Adelaide to catch the Ghan to see Shaz and Spud out of Darwin and my first trip to Wen and Daves home and my granddogs. Now I cannot even walk Katie!
(Katie was her dog)

‘I thought okay, if I cannot walk, I will swim and I cannot do that as well. My grade four breast cancer has progressed and has broken through the skin and will infect people and become infected myself. I have had 24 years of pain. I am not going to burden my children and friends and have palliative care. What a farce that is! Because there is no option in New South Wales, I choose euthanasia. At least I could still drive but I am not capable of doing that. Never had an accident in 60 years. I have lost my confidence in driving. I have no independence. My licence has been cancelled. I have to pay to keep my garden, house and dog plus maintenance. I watch tv, I read, I do crosswords. I have become a hermit, with a dog called Katie, my saviour. I have nothing to look forward to but pain and indignity. We all should be able to choose when we die, so with great courage and no cowardice I go to God. An act of love. Please cremate Katie so she can be with me. Love, mum.”

Liz at her 60th Birthday, 2000.

Our Chief Minister has asked the federal government for the Northern Territory to have back that ability to make the decision for ourselves in this Chamber, he stated “ensuring that we all have control over our lives, that we are masters of our own destiny. That is an essential guiding value of this government.”

I put on record today that I support a person’s right to die with dignity, when and how they choose to do so. On behalf of Sharon and Spud, the rest of their family and their friends, and in memory of their mother Liz Holmes and in loving memory of my father – Joao Carrascalao, who also had to make a difficult decision, I commit today to lobby to introduce voluntary euthanasia laws to the Northern Territory.

I end my adjournment with a poem that is in Liz Holmes’ dedication book given out at her funeral.
“A celebration of life.
Do not grieve for me. If my parting has left a void, then fill it with remembered joy. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss. Ah yes those things I too will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow. I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. My life has been full. I savoured much. Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch.
Perhaps my time seemed too brief. Do not lengthen it now in undue grief. Lift up your heart and share with me. Be happy. I am set free.”
In memory of Liz Holmes.

I have the memorial book and a copy of Liz Holmes’ diary and letter she wrote that I read tonight. I would like to table these in Parliament.
I have also shared copies of these with all Members to take the time to read through. It is an incredibly detailed diary and I encourage you to read it, so all of you have the opportunity to gain insight into what people go through when they make this decision.
Thank you Madam Speaker.

Conclusion of the speech by Sandra Nelson MLA for Katherine.

The most comprehensive analysis of this change in Canada that I have read was posted on Facebook by Marshall Perron, who you may recall was Chief Justice in the Northern Territory . and who initiated the Rights of the Terminally Ill Act there some 20 years ago.

Here is Marshall’s posted article in full –

NEWS FROM CANADA
June 17, 2016: Canadian parliament completes passage of federal aid-in-dying legislation.

Yesterday will be remembered as yet another momentous step forward for our movement to establish the right to aid-in-dying as a fundamental human right.

Yesterday, Friday June 17, the Canadian Senate passed bill C-14 put forward by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party, which had previously been passed by the House of Commons. This made aid-in-dying fully legal all across Canada, and established a country-wide legal framework for its implementation.

There are many parameters of the new Canadian law which are similar to those of our own Oregon, Washington, Vermont and California laws. The Canadian law allows assisted dying for consenting adults “in an advanced stage of irreversible decline” from a serious and “incurable” disease, illness or disability and for whom natural death is “reasonably foreseeable.”

Canadian Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould and Health Minister Jane Philpott issued a joint statement, saying: “The legislation strikes the right balance between personal autonomy for those seeking access to medically assisted dying and protecting the vulnerable.” The new law has the strong support of the Canadian Medical Association, which said in a statement that it was “pleased that historic federal legislation on medical aid in dying is now in place.” Cindy Forbes, president of the CMA, said the law brings clarity and balance to assisted dying. “I feel very confident the government has done the right thing.”

A brief summary of the history leading up to this momentous event: In June, 2014, the Canadian province of Quebec passed a groundbreaking and far-reaching aid-in-dying bill, and in February, 2015, the Canadian Supreme Court ruled unanimously (nine to nothing !!!!) that aid-in-dying is a fundamental human right for terminally ill people, part of a broader human right to compassionate care at end of life. On December 10, 2015, the Quebec law went into force. And on June 6, the Canadian Supreme Court’s ruling took effect, invalidating all previously existing laws banning aid-in-dying.

To us in the USA, it’s fascinating that the debate in Canada over the bill has not been about whether aid in dying should be legal, but rather about whether the new law goes far enough, and in particular that it does not help people who suffer from intolerable medical conditions even though they may not be “terminal.” The Canadian Supreme Court’s 2015 decision establishes intolerable physical suffering as a condition for aid in dying without requiring that the person be terminal. However, Ellen Wiebe, a Vancouver doctor who has been assisting in deaths, said she sees the new law as flexible. In her view, patients with advanced multiple sclerosis, who would die if they did not accept treatment, could be deemed to face a “reasonably foreseeable” natural death, and therefore be eligible for medical assistance to end their lives.

Dear Mr Andrews

Marshall Perron, former Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, wrote to you recently about the diary of the tragic last weeks of John Baylis, who died from Motor Neurone Disease.

As Mr Perron so clearly and succinctly pointed out, the fact that John Baylis could not access the assisted death he so rationally requested, was due to your action in instigating the overturning of the Rights of the Terminally Ill Act.

What Mr Perron did not say, is that you do still have the opportunity to go some way in atoning for what a substantial majority of Christians believe was your regrettable lack of compassion for the terminally ill, as they die with suffering that even the best palliative care cannot relieve.

Eighteen years have now passed since Oregon State, USA enacted their Death With Dignity Act in 1997. Since then three other states enacted similar legislation – Washington State. Vermont and California. Montana and New Mexico also have the right by a court decision In Europe, The Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg have had choice since 2002, in addition to Switzerland.

There is now a mass of data available, based on the experience in these countries.
Essentially, we can now state that
– Laws enabling choice both for medically assisted dying and voluntary euthanasia can and do work very satisfactorily.
– Many people given the ‘green light’ for an assisted death actually live longer than those who do not request assistance. It is palliative in its own right.
– The numbers using an assisted death are very few, but the knowledge that it is available gives comfort to many.
– The concerns that the elderly, the ‘alleged’ vulnerable, and those with disabilities might be subject to coercion are unsupported by the evidence.

What we can now state in Australia is that palliative care’s own data, (PCOC) collated from over 90 specialist PC services, shows that in the “terminal phase” one in five patients reported suffering moderate to severe distress from pain, one in five patients reported suffering moderate to severe distress from breathlessness and one in twelve reported distress from bowel problems. It is these patients who need choice in dying.

The last resort in palliative care, when all else fails, is to put the person into a medically induced coma, known as terminal sedation, where they gradually starve or dehydrate to death, a circumstance that family and the nursing and medical staff can find extremely distressing to watch.

Terminal sedation is accepted by the medical profession and the Catholic Church as an appropriate and religiously ethical last resort, as the stated intention is ‘to relieve suffering’. No reporting is involved, and the patient need not even be asked.

Yet if the dying patient requested, “Rather than starve me to death in a coma, with the trauma of having my family watch this slow death, please give me the next few days medication in a single dose”, this would be illegal.

I ask you, as a Christian, why it is morally acceptable that the slow death procedure from starvation should be within the law, but not the other alternative?
Although not widely known, there has been support for assisted dying/voluntary euthanasia from Christian theologians since at least the 1930s.
The Right Rev. Dr W. Inge, former Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral, London, when founding the British Voluntary Euthanasia Legalisation Society in 1935, said, “It is not contrary to Christian principles.”

Among the founders of the American Euthanasia Society, in 1945, were prominent Christians such as the New York divines Henry Sloan Coffin, the President of Union Seminary, and Harry Emerson Fosdick, the minister of Baptist Riverside Church.

Rev. Trevor Bensch, a co-founder of Christians Supporting Choice for VE, former hospital chaplain and Minister of North Adelaide Baptist Church, South Australia, says: “My call for legal Voluntary Euthanasia is compassionate and thoroughly consistent with the teachings of Jesus.”

Highly respected Catholic theologian, Prof. Hans Kung, states: “As a Christian and a theologian I am convinced that the all-merciful God, who has given men and women freedom and responsibility for their lives, has also left to dying people the responsibility for making a conscientious decision about the manner and time of their deaths. This is a responsibility which neither the state or the church, neither a theologian or a doctor, can take away”

More recently, Lord Carey former Archbishop of Canterbury and head of the world wide Anglican church, speaking in support of the Falconer Assisted Dying Bill before the House of Lords, UK, said: it would not be “anti-Christian” to ensure that terminally ill patients avoid “unbearable” pain, and “One of the key themes of the gospels is love for our fellow human beings … Today we face a terrible paradox. In strictly observing accepted teaching about the sanctity of life, the church could actually be sanctioning anguish and pain – the very opposite of the Christian message.”

Former Archbishop Desmond Tutu, one of the most revered religious leaders, also speaking in support of the Falconer Bill says: “I have been fortunate to spend my life working for dignity for the living. Now I wish to apply my mind to the issue of dignity for the dying. I revere the sanctity of life – but not at any cost.”

Mr Andrews, the evidence in support of CHOICE for assisted dying is overwhelming.
I sincerely urge that you study this evidence and the attachments here.

Do you have the courage and compassion to change your position, as did Prof. Tallis? (see attachment)

Would you be willing to vote to give the Northern Territory back their right to make their own laws? Even if you would not wish that choice for yourself would you be willing to endorse the right of others to choose, should the proposed Senator di Natale Dying with Dignity Bill come up for debate?

In conclusion, I repeat the fact that on Monday 5 Oct 2015, the California Governor signed an End of Life Bill, giving 38 million Americans the right to choose an assisted death. I note that Governor Brown received support for passing the California Bill from Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

Significantly Governor Brown, who actually had the power to Veto this Bill, is a committed Catholic and previously had training as a Jesuit priest. His stated reasons for approving the Bill included –
“In the end, I was left to reflect on what I would want in the face of my own death. I do not know what I would do if I were dying in prolonged and excruciating pain. I am certain, however, that it would be a comfort to be able to consider the options afforded by this bill. And I wouldn’t deny that right to others.”

Yours sincerely

Ian Wood
National Co-ordinator
Christians Supporting Choice for Voluntary Euthanasia
Mittagong NSW

Attachments
Prof Tallis, Why I changed my mind on assisted dying
RIP Keith Smith
Catholic Dr Olvera supports Aid in Dying
Quebec Report, some conclusions
Booklet – I want the choice of an assisted death
Anglican Canon Rosie Harper supporting the assisted death of her Uncle in Switzerland
Recommended reading:
Is there a Christian Case for Assisted Dying? Yes. by Prof. Paul Badham
A Good Death, by Dr Rodney Syme
Absolute Truth, by Edward Stourton
Doctor, Please Help Me Die, by Tom Preston MD

Recommended Viewing:
In the End, a DVD, Dr Charlie Corke
Andrew Denton Podcasts and interview:
www.wheelercentre.com/broadcasts/podcasts/better-off-dead

.

John Baylis’ Diary

83 year old Darwin man John Baylis died from the ravages of Motor Neuron Disease on 5th March 2015. This is an exact extract of his Facebook diary.
Dec 15, 2014 – Aged Care Assessment Teams ( ACAT ) I have finally been diagnosed by my GP , as having ‘ the monster inside me ‘ being diagnosed as Motor Neurone Disease . We applied for me to be assessed by ACAT , and they required a doctors report . My GP stated that I had MND . Fifteen years ago now , Dr Burrows of RDH made multiple diagnosis of my emerging symptoms . They were MND , small vessel disease , Myclophaphy and possibly Slow Person Syndrome , SPS. I visited a prominent Brisbane MND specialist three times , and an Adelaide specialist once , with no diagnosis . Now , I have to bite a bitter bullet , and accept that my symptoms fit MND , and Dr Burrows was probably correct initially .
The reason I have “ come out of the Closet “ to coin a phrase , is to promote and push , for the right to die with dignity movement , or Voluntary Euthanasia for the terminally ill .
Younger people reading this , barring accidents , will get old and decrepit , like I am today . They will then , desire the right to die with dignity . It will not be there for them then , as it is not there for me now , unless they join the fight , for the right to die with dignity now .
Imagine if you can , a good mind , with good recall and an active imagination , trapped in a body that can’t walk , can’t talk , both arms and hands affected , lips , and throat not under control . Difficulty eating and drinking . Just take a moment please , and really put yourself in my position . It is an awful place to be , believe me . Many places in the Western world are enlightend , and provide exits when they’re needed .
What then , do I have to look forward to ? palliative care ? that scares the shit out of me . Can’t eat ? so they’ll feed you through a tube , can’t drink , another tube . They will save your body without dignity , but what about the healthy mind that is trapped inside , until it escapes the efforts to keep the body alive , by dying .
We all recognise that a suffering pet , should be put out of it’s misery . What about us , we should be allowed to exit painlessly , when it is no longer worth staying alive .
Voluntary Euthanasia for the terminally ill should be everyones right . Damn Kevin Andrews to hell .
Voluntary Euthanasia for the terminally ill should be everyones right. Damn Kevin Andrews to hell
Dec 18 – This comment goes back to April 2010 , when I was diagnosed with lung cancer . I was a heavy smoker , only stopping after cyclone Tracy . I was put on a 6 week course of chemo and radiation . The chemo was Cisplatin , and Vinorelbine . I posted somewhere , that I was originally diagnosed with MND , by Dr Burrows of RDH . He’s still there . MND usually kills within five years , but some cases are recorded as twenty years . Mine kicked in with early symptoms approximately fifteen years ago . See comment below . In April 2010 , I could still walk , talk , shower and do nearly everything . If I fell , i had big trouble getting up again . In retrospect , the monster lived in my right arm , I always had pins and needles sometimes so strong it would hurt . Presently , that is happening now , to my left arm . ” I’ve said all that , to say all this ” .
Incredibly , after two weeks of my chemo , my MND symptoms simply went away . For the first time in years , I trotted up stairs without holding on . Rolled on the floor with my grand daughter , and got to my feet effortlessly , The reversal of my symptoms lasted just over a week , and then slowly , my symptoms returned . None of the doctors I’ve told this seemed interested , but I thought if I posted it , maybe one day , it might lead to research , combatting MND >
Dec 20 – I am John Baylis MND sufferer . Have a look at my profile , and imagine the monster inside me , is inside you .
What can I say , that we have’nt all said before , only this , ” spend some time , with a monster inside ” Lyle Shelton . How can they alone , know God’s will , or even if there is a god .
Spend some time with a monster inside Lyle Shelton. How can they alone know God’s will, or even if there is a god.
Dec 21 – OMG , Kevin Andrews has been promoted to a ministry . VE prepare to defend yourself .
Dec 22 – Yes , I definitely look like shit
Dec 24 – To ALL of the wonderful people , that have given me support in my hour of need . Thank you all so much . Johnny Baylis
Dec 25 – Well , Xmas is nearly over and I got to see family and friends once more . That was a good thing .
Dec 26 – John Baylis I did exactly like Krissi Besic and others have said , I waited too long , letting others fight for this Voluntary Euthanasia to be made law . Discriminatory politicians , make their policies on VE , following the religious lobby , all the time knowing , that if needed , they are wealthy enough , to fly to an enlightened country and use the ” Dying with Dignity ” program over there . As Philip Nitschke pointedly defended himself , saying , ” why should only the wealthy have this option ” Kevin Andrews is only one of the litter that shelved the NT’s Right to die legislation .
Discriminatory politicians make their policies on VE, following the religious lobby, all the time knowing that if needed, they are wealthy enough to fly to an enlightened country and use the ” Dying with Dignity ” program over there.
Dec 28 – I tried to go easy on the monsters progress over xmas , It’s an unpleasant subject for the festive season , but it has beaten me , if I stop facebooking , please understand that I really appreciated all of the support I have been given by facebook friends . If I don’t “like” or answer comments , it’s because I don’t feel up to it , and not because I don’t care . Make bloody sure , YOU NEVER EVER get in my position .
Now is the time for you to get behind a Voluntary Euthanasia program. We have the numbers, all we need is the will.
How is it we never see an Ad on TV regarding VE ? Has anyone tried ? Is it being blocked ? 80% for VE is way too many , to be blocked by a few religious extremists in government . Because of the monster , I will not not be able to carry on much longer , but remember please . You will all get old and decrepit like me one day , The best time to fight for what you want , is now .
Dec 28 – This is a real bad day for me , possibly the worst yet . I have deteriorated more overnight , my poor family are doing it hard . I so wish for a peaceful exit . VE if established now , would have eased my suffering . Make sure it’s there when you , or your loved ones might need it .
Dec 29 – It has to come , but sadly , I think too late for me.
Jan 1 – I’m hitting the bottom of the barrel today , Got to hang up guys ,thank you all , and may Kevin Andrews and all religious extremists rot in my hell
May Kevin Andrews and all religious extremists rot in my hell.
Jan 1 – I see on TV today , where a valuable baby Rhino was euthanised at Werribee , Melbourne . They said it had an infection . The infection may have caused pain and suffering , it may also have caused death aka a terminal illness . That is such a nice civilised thing to do , and the people making the decision should be commended . BUT What about me , and the many others ?? Are the people making the decision AKA Kevin Andrews religious extremists to be commended or cursed .
Jan 2 – bad day yesterday OK . Fell twice , more skin off but nothing fatal , frown emoticon worse luck .
Jan 3 – the mmonnster gojftm y han xd noaw mivght losze my fb friennndddddddddddddddzs so sorrrrrrrrrry i cant go peacesfulmllyg
Jan 4 – still tell me any neeews and dont always exppectt answwwers xxx i can manage srtill but editting is too harrrd . i want all thhhe polliies VE checkkked for their vote, and their answers on facebookkk . Please
Jan 4 – The m on szter is too smmmart it hhas taken my in dex finnger ojuuft now . mmmy typing fi nnger
Jan 4 – John Baylis
2 January at 14:32 • Edited
I want to explain to Kevin Andrews and other politicians . what MND really means , I don’t think think he has a clue , which makes him dangerously stupid when he disabled the NT’s Right To Die . Now he’s Minister for Defence . Let me explain a tiny part of my suffering to you Kevin Andrews .
I wake early morning , still dark , to go toilet . I wake my wife by making non understandable noises , she has to lift me into a sitting position on the side of the bed , she hands me the pee bottle and helps me use it . Stools are more undignified Kevin & co , She waits , however long it takes , and then wipes me . Do you think your wife , Mrs Andrews , could handle that OK Kevin?
I slept OK , thanks doctor for the sleeping pills . She helps ……………………………………………………………………………………………………..
This bit is corrrected big time .. Thhhe part comment above I wrotte bbeforrrrrrrrrrrrrrre the monster got my hand . It will never be finished now . I wont wwaste it though , I’ll post it ,, I’mmmmm reeally ouut of the closet now i reckon
Jan 5 – How can they do this to us ?? IIt’s inhumane and so blloody cruuel . I’m suffering so badly ,,, I dreeammm of relleeeease .
How can they do this to us?? It’s inhumane and so bloody cruel. I’m suffering so badly, I dream of release.
Jan 5 – Carlene-Baylis Webb
I’m signing because my father is suffering. He is in his final stages of Motor Neurone Disease. It has slowly taken everything from him, his dignity, his mobility and now he is unable to communicate with his loved ones. He can hardly eat & drink, palliative is NOT an option he wants to die peacefully at home with his wife and children supporting him in his plight. He wants to end this suffering he is being made to endure and advocates the right to die with dignity. We love you dad XO
It has slowly taken everything from him, his dignity, his mobility and now he is unable to communicate with his loved ones. He can hardly eat & drink, palliative [care] is NOT an option. He wants to die peacefully at home with his wife and children supporting him in his plight.
Jan 6 – whatss onn my mind , is a pllacce to rrrreeeeeeest in peacce , oothers hhavve been throuuugh thhis , annd it is horrible . Why am i going throuuugh this ??? Just bbecausse somewealthy self importtannt relligiouus extremists in governmmxennt arre stopping me from ending mmy life peacexfullly at home wziithh ffamilly and friennnndds . kevin andrreews will be ever rrremexmmmberrrrexd for the sufferihg of ppooor bastarrds lliike mmex .
Jan 6 – I am starring in my own horror fiklm , brrreakfast this morning was two weetbix wiith jjust enouugh mmmilk to mmakex themm moist . like this they stiick to mmmmmmmmmmy special crooked bennt spoon designed to assit loss of wrist rotatin ,, which i hhave . my wife covers mme with towels to protect mmy shirt annd shorts which she dressed me innn bjefoore . no good ,,, ,i look like a battlefielld , so she cllea ns me up and p huuuttttts cleeeeean clotheessss on mme . well that wwas b rrreekkkfaast . how do ybu copke with that Kexvin Andrreeewss ?? pls xcuse. Oh i forgot a bit ,mmmmy rght armmmm is unable to mmove above mmy waissst , but mmmy righhht hhannnd a bit useable .. mmy lxxxxxxeft arm i ccccccccan use a little but my ha nd is bad finger and thummb dont opppose and no ffeellling in fingers . how i eeat , gget foodon sppoon wzithh righhht hhhnd and lilftc hand and spoon wivtth back of mmy lxxxxxxeft hand too bloody scccåry .
Jan 6 – WHY DO WE LET THEM DO THIS TO US . THEY ARE TORTURING ZSO MANNY PEOPLE . EVEERYONE THIN KS ITCCANT HAPP´N TO THEM BUT IT CAN . DON’T THHE GOVEERNMMENTTS KKNOZW HOOW WE HUURT ? I WANT OUT BUT THHEY ARE GOING TO MMMAKE MME SUFFFFER MORRRRRRRE . PLEASE MAKE THEMM LISTEN . I HURT INSIDE SO BADLY
Jan 6 – i’d llike to ssssssay i miss all you guuys i shared so mmuch with , but now things ha ve chang ed . so sorry you all knoow who you arre .
Jan 7 – John Baylis Stephen Bennett MP spend some time wzith my monster you healthy dont carre MP , and see wghat cchanges the b alancce even morrrrrre than 8o5% . If you dont want it m,,, dont use it .. but xdont forcce others to suffffffffferh orrib ly likkke i am atm If you agree to VE it means you ccare to hhelp terrible suffering you cant evven imagine , if DONT agrrree with V E , you a cruel bastard that does nt are about rrreal people , only rrelivgvious lobby grooups and party policiies . what will iit be stephen bbennett ? are you A cruuel bastad mp or o r do you havvve gutts to stanxd upand b e counted as a caffring human being ,
If you don’t want it, don’t use it .. but don’t force others to suffer horribly like I am at the moment. If you agree to VE, it means you care to help terrible suffering you can’t even imagine. If you DON’T agree with VE, you are a cruel bastard that does not care about real people, only religious lobby groups.
Jan 8 – I am not funnctioning pprloperly ,,,,,, what iindgnity now ..hhas thhe monster done Dammnnnnn you to hhhhell kkevin andrreewws
Dammnnnnn you to hhhhell Kkevin Andrreewws.
Jan 8 – feeling weirrd slouchingb in chair cccannnt thhiinnnk properly i’ll give fbbbbbb a rrreeest
Jan 8 – not good , whhy why do thhey do this to us why arrrex they doing it to mmme , thhrrrey arrrrrex so cruuexl ,,,,, ,,,,, I’mmmmmm prrrrrretty helpllessssssssss noow , dotheyb undderstnd what thexy are puutting us thhrouggh , it is absolutttely hhell .. i cant e ven thankk mmmy wiffffe , or tttxell hhe how much i love hmer . damn themmm , we crying ouuut for ccompassion , i’m cyiiingfor compassion ,,,,, but tvhexy dont listtxen they , kevin an drewss , are torturing us ,,,, torturing mme bbexyond what i cannnnn stand.dont let itv happexn to you ,,, iit not only withouut dignity , it is hypppocritial , callous , murderous cruuuuuuuuxellty . if therreex is a god and its kevin an drreeewzs god its a sadstic god . damn him dddammmnnnnnn him ddammnnnn himmm
Jan 8 – They force people to kill thxemsel vvvxes vlolxentlly, bby not letting thxxemmmmm dilxe zwiith dignilty .. is all about powzer . it coulld happxen to annny one of yomu latver on .. mmakkkxe surrrrrrrrrrrxe iivt doxesnt . it is hxelll bxxeyond bxellinef .
Jan 8 – switch off a wzhile fffeel rattshit
Jan 10 – the mmonsttter goot both hhha ndds nnow , allll fkkkkkiingers afffecctted i think iiitxsss trying to stop mecommuniicatng ,, immm msurrrrrrre ittts evil and intellliiiigent … what you reckon kkev in a nndreews ? cooould you hhhhhhan dlle this ,,,,,,, yoou cruuuell bastaedddddd ? oor would you pprrrrrrefffer to die wiiith dignkkkity
Jan 12 – monster so bad noow and can7t ans4wer all questions any mmorrre , two dayys no fb .clint annd Donald so good too us , Cllint cut doownnnn ttwoo biiiig ppalms neext to honuse ,,,,,, llllllllloove themmmmm booys . 60 n-oifications , ccant annswer ,,onlly llooooooookkkkk annd pick ,, sooorry .
Jan 12 – I havve lost my dignity over and over ,,, tthxe monstxer has almost finishxxxxxxxxxed mmme . It iiiis so cruuexl ,,,,,, una ble to ttalk wallk annd commnicate iiis impoossiblllllllle to,magin5e .
Jan 13 – i thik this my “la s t Post” thamk you all wondnerfull suppo rtner s of mys elf and V E , wheen i pass i’d like our kid s and grandkids to jhave dign/ity in death.
Jan 13 – ths is my l ast thank you t o all fb frˆn ds and support ers of mysef and VE , wh en i go , hope soon , hope too thha t V E i s t˙nere fomr our k/id s
Jan 13 – dpaugh ter k e ll y rea rr ang ed pc for m e . I c an t do much . but b epfore I’m finished propely i 4wannt to thank you a3lllll once again for increnblle support for myslf and VE . when i go keep fight for VE johnnyn bay…..ylis
Jan 16 – stil here ,, but only just i found new way to type veryhard for me to do better than nothnng cant read much or like but i try thannnk uou all John Baylis
Jan 18 – this is clear type for me , we made a short wand with large handle i can hold fairly well , and a rubber tip to select the right keys without trailing my hand over the keyboard , but it is extremely hard for me to hold it in my right hand and move my right hand / wand , with my left hand . i need many rests in this comment , but i wanted to highlight the suffering that we/I have to endure . imagine if you can , eating and drinking like that . since my last post , the monster inside has just about taken over now . both arms only raise to chest high , both wrists will not rotate . i have the weirdly bent fork and spoon to get anywhere near my mouth , then talk about a pig in shit , thats me . i have absolutey no dignity left , my poor wife does everything for , and i cannot thank or give her a hug . what a hypocritical bastard is our latest minister for defense . he has caused me unbearable suffering and i’ll die cursing him . once again , thank you all
I have absolutely no dignity left, my poor wife does everything for me, and I cannot thank or give her a hug. What a hypocritical bastard is our latest Minister for Defense. He has caused me unbearable suffering and I’ll die cursing him.
Feb 23 – Message from JB added here by his kids:
Facebook friends, I have reached the end of my journey. Talk to my kids Carlene, Clint and Kelly if you would like to find out any updates. Please, don’t forget my fight for VE!
JB x
March 8 – Finally, in words dad would have used…… DAMN YOU TO HELL Kevin Andrews.
END
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Click to read former chief minister Marshall Perron scathing letter to Kevin Andrews in response to John Baylis’story

 Read the followup letter to Kevin Andrews, MP,  by Ian Wood, in a separate Post