Till Death Us Do Part.....

I was deeply moved by the story today of Sir Edward Thomas Downes 85 and his terminally ill wife Joan 74, who chose to end their lives together at a clinic in Switzerland.

Mr Downes himself was almost blind and partially deaf as well as having other health problems. He was one of this countries foremost conductors, having worked with the BBC Philharmonic for forty years, whilst his wife Joan was a former ballet dancer and successful choreographer.

This is one of the most romantic stories I have ever seen in the news. Two people have been able to bring their wonderfully fulfilled lives to an end together, rather than continue in pain and suffering with the certainty of one or the other having to be left to face the world alone at some point for the first time in fifty-four years.

Anyone who sees this as anything other than an acceptable decision for adults to make is not only misguided but cruel. How long before the criminalization of this procedure in this country is thrown out for the archaic thoughtless interference it really is.