Man kills self, wife

valerie · Post by **valerie** » Sat Mar 31, 2012 10:03 am

She had Alzheimer's. The family says he acted "out of deep

devotion and profound love" and I guess I'm glad they think

that way.

Caring for someone is really hard, though. Maybe he just wanted

relief from that.

Health | Man who wrote poignant essay about Alzheimer's kills wife, self | Seattle Times Newspaper

Snooz · Post by **Snooz** » Sat Mar 31, 2012 10:14 am

I bet he killed his wife first.

along-for-the-ride · Post by **along-for-the-ride** » Sat Mar 31, 2012 10:35 am

I read that story earlier today. Sad.

gmc · Post by **gmc** » Sat Mar 31, 2012 11:34 am

He possibly felt she had already gone and wanted to join her, in a way it's rather romantic. If you have ever had a member of your family develop alzheimers you might be a bit more sympathetic. Assisted suicide is becoming a political issue over here, most people think it should be up to the individual but as usual the religious are determined to impose their views on everybody. They don't seem to have a problem with no resuscitation requests though. Suicide is not a sin unless you happen to be devout, it's sad the way some people will turn their backs on someone who commits suicide and refuse to attend their funerals.

theia · Post by **theia** » Sat Mar 31, 2012 11:54 am

gmc;1389455 wrote: He possibly felt she had already gone and wanted to join her, in a way it's rather romantic. If you have ever had a member of your family develop alzheimers you might be a bit more sympathetic. Assisted suicide is becoming a political issue over here, most people think it should be up to the individual but as usual the religious are determined to impose their views on everybody. They don't seem to have a problem with no resuscitation requests though. Suicide is not a sin unless you happen to be devout, it's sad the way some people will turn their backs on someone who commits suicide and refuse to attend their funerals.

I thought that too.

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Sat Mar 31, 2012 1:52 pm

Interminable torture for both of them, I'm sure. I can't say I wouldn't do the same.

valerie · Post by **valerie** » Sat Mar 31, 2012 3:01 pm

Who did you mean Gmc when you said "You" might be more sympathetic?

Because my Mom had this terrible disease, and the times I went up

to care for her and give Dad a break, well... it was one of the more

difficult things I've ever done, and it was only for several hours at

a stretch, no overnights or anything.

Ahso! · Post by **Ahso!** » Sat Mar 31, 2012 3:09 pm

No greater act of love can a person perform for the self, the partner and those who continue to live. The man is a hero!

Bruv · Post by **Bruv** » Sat Mar 31, 2012 3:17 pm

valerie;1389476 wrote: Who did you mean Gmc when you said "You" might be more sympathetic?

Because my Mom had this terrible disease, and the times I went up

to care for her and give Dad a break, well... it was one of the more

difficult things I've ever done, and it was only for several hours at

a stretch, no overnights or anything.

Both my parents suffered from it, truly a heart breaker.

I used to say to my wife that when I went to visit her she wasn't at home.

Her body was, she seemed the same as ever except when you had to introduce yourself to her, or answer the question "What are you doing here?" with a seriously lost look in her eye.

If you have ever had a member of your family develop alzheimers you might be a bit more sympathetic.

I don't think gmc meant 'You' or anybody in particular, only that if anyone had experience of it, they would be sympathetic.

gmc · Post by **gmc** » Sun Apr 01, 2012 8:28 am

valerie;1389476 wrote: Who did you mean Gmc when you said "You" might be more sympathetic?

Because my Mom had this terrible disease, and the times I went up

to care for her and give Dad a break, well... it was one of the more

difficult things I've ever done, and it was only for several hours at

a stretch, no overnights or anything.

It was a general comment I wasn't referring to anything you had said. If I was I would have quoted you first to make it clear I was responding to your comment. When it comes to suicide or assisted suicide there is a hard core religious group that see suicide as a sin. If he killed his wife and didn't also suicide he could have stood trial for murder. There have been a couple of cases in the UK where a jury has refused to convict someone for murder when it has been an assisted suicide. One MSP in particular is trying to make it legal in scotland - she has parkinsons disease. - the church establishment is outraged. It's a very topical issue here.

BBC News - Margo MacDonald's End of Life Assistance Bill revived

If suicide is a sin and non believers are already going to hell - as some would suggest - the churches should really not have any say in the matter when it comes down to individual choice. Bet the most condemnatory of this man are the religious, and yes i do know people who have refused to attend the funeral of a suicide.

Alzheimers is a horrible disease but there are others that to some people can make life not worth living, I don't know what I would do were it to happen to me. The real tragedy is all you end up remembering is the shell of the last few years.