FRONTLINE | “Suicide Tourist” Clip | PBS
Watch this program online at http://video.pbs.org/video/1430431984/ http://www.pbs.org/frontline/suicidetourist In this clip from “The Suicide Tourist,” ALS sufferer Craig Ewert explains his decision to end his own life and discusses the argument that committing suicide is the equivalent of “playing God.” “The Suicide Tourist” airs Tuesday, March 2 at 9PM on PBS (check local listings).
Do we have the right to end our lives if life itself becomes unbearable, or when we enter the late-stages of painful, terminal illness? The questions, debated for centuries, have only grown more pressing in recent years as medical technology has allowed us to live longer lives, and several U.S. states have legalized physician-assisted suicide. With unique access to Dignitas, the Swiss non-profit that has helped over one thousand people die since 1998, Academy award- winning filmmaker John Zaritsky offers a revealing look at a couple facing the most difficult decision of their lives—and lets us see for ourselves as one Chicago native makes the trip to Switzerland for what will become the last day of his life.
Watch “The Suicide Tourist” on air and online beginning Tuesday, March 2 on PBS (check local listings) and at http://www.pbs.org/frontline/suicidetourist
Duration : 0:2:52
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From the interview …
From the interview with his kids, it was evident that both his children loved him very much. I think it would have been better for them to be there holding his hand. Avoidance of reality only leads to more misery
Seen tv programs …
Seen tv programs where some Brits have gone to Switzerland, too, for their thought.out plan of sucide.
4. Also, your …
4. Also, your attempt to trivialize my comprehension of suffering is only pointing out that you’re not taking a broader look at open acceptance of suicide.
Your examples you cite as being limp reasons to kill one’s self… people HAVE killed themselves over those matters. Are you prepared to defend them?
If you are, then you have a pretty weak value of life. If you’re not, then you better take a closer look at accepting suicide at all, because this is where it leads; more pathetic reasons.
1. You are making a …
1. You are making a grandiose assumption when claiming I have no idea what a family in such a situation is going through.
2. When I presented Christopher Reeves, it was to point out that people who are in an equally desperate situation as Craig can still see the point in life. The point is that it’s all about perspective, values and will.
3. Instead of limiting your response to you, I, Christopher and Craig, have you a comment on the impact of normalizing, mass-processing suicide on society?
He did it.
He did it.
The man had ALS, he …
The man had ALS, he was suffering. He was going to die very shortly anyways.
They are very …
They are very serious about who they approve for this. There has to be a doctor that says it’s ok, usually they only do it for terminally ill people who are suffering greatly.
They even have to video record the person drinking the solution himself so that they will not have any legal problems. They are very organised.
I cried so hard …
I cried so hard after he swallowed the drugs and his wife kissed him and said “have a safe journey”. it was like he was just going away on vacation or something. So sad
This was an excellent program by the way. Very informative and so human.
wow this is so sad!!
wow this is so sad!!
@TheJediCharles: Of …
@TheJediCharles: Of course we all suffer. But this isn’t about losing a job. Or being in debt. Or breaking a bone. This is about quality of life. This man’s quality of life will ONLY get worse. And if he feels the need to end it, then that is his choice. Christopher Reeves didn’t agree with Craig. So what’s your point? It’s easy for you to talk, but neither you nor I have any idea what he and his family have went through.
he makes some good …
he makes some good points, however if this sort of thing is allowed there needs to be strict regulations. dispite his uneq situation and being able to rationaly make that decision. most of the people who commit suicide are depresed or have some other mintal problem. should we euthanise any distressed teen or buisnessman that just got laid off. what about people who just went through a big break up. it needs to first be determaind that thay are makeing that decision rationaly and not emotionaly.
then how do you …
then how do you explain keeping people alive with treatment and technology. wasn’t it “god” who gave them the illness. isent keeping them alive going againced “god”
The bottom line. …
The bottom line. It’s his decision. Believe in God or not. It is HIS decision. He and his family has this enormous pain to deal with. Not another human on earth has any right to pass judgement. on his and his family’s feelings about this.
His decision ~
watched this last …
watched this last night, got to me at the end.
I hope he dies as …
I hope he dies as soon as possible. The ill should be taken out of their misery. That man suffers from more than just ALS, he has further problems. i hope he is put to rest.
While his point …
While his point sounds “brilliant”, it’s really not. The way he describes his options apply not just to him, but everyone. We ALL face suffering in one degree or another and then death. He’s hardly alone. It’s called being human.
What he was surgically omitting is that life takes place during suffering, and is still worth living, depending on what one values. Christopher Reeves didn’t agree with Craig.
“To live is to suffer.”
-Friedrich Nietzsche
He just didn’t want to adapt short-term.
ouch, too much …
ouch, too much thinking
excellent point!!. …
excellent point!!. They are such “caring” christians
The issue isn’t …
The issue isn’t religion; that’s a deflection.
The REAL issue is the inevitable results of increasing normalcy of suicide. The inevitable result is devaluing of life and the definition of suicide, and the inevitable slippery slope.
Why must a person be ill? Why can’t one kill himself if they’re just fed up? Why not “assist” those who were not conscious? Should children be allowed to? Why not assist someone who a board rules “should” die?
The problem isn’t where we are. It’s where it leads.
God, what a program …
God, what a program. Thank you! Such a brave man. My heart is crying for him. Bless you sir. Safe journey indeed.
The poor guy is …
The poor guy is right. Screw the bible thumpers and any other fools who are stuck in belief traps and try to force it onto others.
Why do so many …
Why do so many choose to deny God? Yes, technology is different today, and yes 50 years ago this man woudl be dead. But God allowed him to be alive today WITH the technology. I have seen the Lord do mighty miracles on death beds that boldly proclaims, He allows what He does to be glorified! Trust Him, and see Him glorified. Trust Him not… and die. One of the beauties of God is He gives US the choice. See John 9:1-7
If you believe in …
If you believe in god or you don’t it all boils down to one thing. It’s HIS decision…. otherwise it wouldn’t be called “FREE WILL”.
Even though everyone has their own opinion I believe that he will do what he wants to do and he will face the outcome.
But if I “judge” him, then I’m no better myself.
The man has a right …
The man has a right to take away suffering while he can make the decision rationally. There are nursing homes filled with living vegetables without a quality of life at all, and no way to make the same intelligent decision. The title means that he must go to Switzerland to ease his suffering. I did think that Oregon had a death with dignity law, but, it may be that there is less red tape in Switzerland.
The man is right. …
The man is right. Why should he be forced to live like that when he doesn’t want to? We extend lives in numerous ways, but, we don’t do it with a proper quality of life. Our nursing homes are filled with “living vegetables”, beyond the point of making any decision. This man has made his decision after a long period of intelligent thought. Pay him the honor of obeying his request.