A man has revealed that he would contemplate taking his life if he discovered he had Huntington’s Disease, unless assisted dying became legal. Tom Marshall’s parents informed their son and his wife Dawn that they were going to take their lives on Christmas Day 2020 due to the suffering from their illnesses. Three days later, they were discovered dead. His mother had been diagnosed with Huntington’s Disease, and his father, David, suffered from severe arthritis.
Speaking about the situation, Mr Marshall has said that whether there was a legal route to take if he found himself with the genetic condition or otherwise, he would be “looking for similar options” as his mother. Huntington’s Disease is incurable and has a 50% chance of being passed on.
Members of the Welsh Senedd, the legislative body of the Welsh Government, have been voting on plans to allow those suffering from intolerable physical illnesses to have the option to receive an assisted death. This would be in principle only, as the Senedd does not have the power to change the law. While My Death, My Decision backed the plans, The Church in Wales opposes them.
Marshall’s mother, Suzanne, had contacted the Dignitas assisted death clinic in Switzerland, yet ultimately decided against it, as she did not wish to end her life prematurely, nor put anyone else in a compromising legal position. Those campaigning for assisted dying believe that terminally ill adults of sound mind who are suffering from physical conditions they deem unbearable should have an assisted option to end their lives, with medical and legal safeguards.
This debate is not simply confined to those who terminally ill, as it is important that people with incurable conditions like Huntington’s Disease, Parkinson’s and Locked-In Syndrome are not ignored
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