Knowing When To Go.

"The ending a life by whatever means is always an emotive subject"

High Court judge Albert Wong Sung-hau is a wise and compassionate man. Sentencing a retired electrician to one-year’s probation for killing his terminal-ill wife was the right thing to do. 
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The wife had late-stage lung cancer, and the husband agreed to assist in relieving her pain, allowing her to pass peacefully at a time of her choosing. She consented to her husband placing a tray of burning charcoal in her bedroom after she fell asleep. The husband was initially charged with murder, but this was later changed to a lesser indictment of manslaughter. 

The judge rightly acknowledged that the husband acted unlawfully yet reduced the punishment to the minimum possible without suggesting the court endorsed euthanasia.  

Such mercy killing or assisted suicide is a controversial topic. Yet, having recently witnessed my father quickly slide from a strong redoubtable individual to a distraught bedridden soul, I can understand the powerful sentiments the matter evokes. As a family, we wished for nothing less than his full recovery, an option that became less likely with time. 

Dad sought a dignified exit, not an ending marked by tubes, adult diapers and crippling brain fog. But, as a blessing for him, the end came quick enough. He didn’t suffer too long.

The ending of a life by whatever means is always an emotive subject, especially for family and friends. And yet, if we accord people true dignity in their final days, surely an option should be there to pick your moment, significantly when the quality of life is severely eroded.

In my Dad’s case, we were briefed on the ‘do not resuscitate’ process, a decision that rests with the medical professionals. The appearance of Macmillan Nurses to make sure Dad was comfortable heralded the final stage. They took charge of his care, displaying an empathic but no nonsense approach that gave reassurance. We were glad to be in their hands.

Whether Hong Kong can move toward a sensible, balanced approach to this issue remains to be seen. We have the longest life expectancy on the planet, yet quality of life remains an issue for many as chronic ailments blight their final years. 

What is evident is that the actions of Judge Wong demonstrate it is possible to steer a balanced course. So enacting such a process in law, shouldn’t be beyond the realms of possibility.