Deaf Belgian twins helped to die after losing sight
Identical Belgian twin brothers who were born deaf, have been granted their wish to die after becoming blind and unable to bear not being able to see and hear each other.
The case tested the boundaries of legal euthanasia.
Doctors gave the 45-year-old twins lethal injections after they had had a cup of coffee together and said goodbye to each other, a spokesman at the UZ Brussel hospital said.
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Pule' Carmel
Feb 20th, 02:40
During my teaching life I had many students wanting to leave the courses at University because they thought they would not make it. Many parents phoned me on the quiet telling me of their Children's dilema.I could have left it at that because it was their choice, but I felt that they were not correct in their decision and I did my best to explain.They all succeeded with flying colours and were glad
M. Mifsud
Jan 15th, 20:22
When reading on someone's death it is always a very sad moment. I read this story with a heavy heart. While I refrain from condemning these unfortunate twins for their decision to end their lives, I thank God for the gift of life which is so precious and dear. When I hear such stories the instinct is to turn to the Almighty and Lord of Life and shout :- THANK YOU LORD FOR THE GIFT OF LIFE. AMEN
Stannis Baratheon
Jan 17th, 19:29
Uhm...thank your mother and father for the gift of life
CHARLES MUSCAT
Jan 15th, 18:26
Respecting one's choice is not an argument that logically always holds good. One should not condone euthanasia because it is requested by the individual. What about the choices that other individuals make? Should we also condone theft, abortion, speeding on the roads and risking other people's lives,use of drugs, imolation, racism? All actions are based on choices but are they morally correct?
Mano' Xerri
Jan 15th, 15:58
I guess its their choice to end their life & no one else's business, but then again in Belgium they are a different kettle of fish then the rest of us, i certainly wouldn't like to live there.
gil falzon
Jan 15th, 14:53
Not surprising seeing as we have partial-birth abortion (9 months) in Victoria, Australia; genetic engineering; female infanticide in India and China on an alarming scale; euthanasia coming into law all over the West and other more sinister plans by our nihilist social engineers who have hijacked the Left of politics.
It is just so sad that human life has become so dispensable and commodified.
A Bezzina
Jan 15th, 12:58
To think that only a few days ago we were reading the inspiring story of Fr Cyril Axelrod, a deaf-blind priest who visited Malta throughout the month of December ...
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20121210/local/Deaf-blind-priest-s-visit.448955
Ms.D. Galea
Jan 15th, 12:08
God forbid that people are bumped off for being born with hearing or visual deficiencies.
Kenneth Grima
Jan 15th, 11:55
In this case i would be proud if i was Belgian no one should have the say the way how to end your life in this case,one should & deserve the right to end his life in a dignifying way.Many put to sleep pets not to let them suffer when there is no hope,but we are so hypocrites when it is about us humans that we leave ourselves to be tortured & left to die in the most painful & horrifying ways.
A Tonna
Jan 15th, 13:30
Wow!!! Very progressive and mature.
Conrad Costa
Mar 6th, 00:05
kenneth, by all means, choose how to live and end your own life. if i were a doctor however, i may possibly shy away from performing such a procedure as actively ending your life and do not feel like i need to be made to help you achieve your goals. best regards cc
Rosie Caruana
Jan 15th, 11:48
WELCOME TO BELGIUM, AS USUAL Brussels dictates who is to live and who is to die, they can keep that country for all i care, glad i am Maltese and proud of it.
Frans Aguis
Jan 15th, 12:20
I imagine you took no note of the part where it said it was THEIR wish to die
Matthew Saliba
Jan 15th, 13:24
The seat of the EU is in Brussels. Belgium has its own Government.
I Bugeja
Jan 15th, 21:07
Rosie, i do not suppose you know the meaning of euthanasia do you?
Joseph M. Grech.
Jan 15th, 09:59
Yes it is a shame on Brussels.
It seems that this so called modern country lacks the required support for such people in this situation.
It is a shame because people are being treated as animals - but people are not animals, they have reason on their side. They can be reasoned to appreciate their life for themselves and their relatives. It is a real pity if humanity degenerates to this low level.
Mr F J Brincat
Jan 15th, 11:09
What is this inane rambling about? Twins that felt that they could not stand not seeing each other and thus can no longer communicate with each other have decided that they wish to terminate their lives together. What has this got do do with your warped conceptions of Belgian society? This is not a slight to any religion - it is a choice two grown ups made.
Adam Cassano
Jan 15th, 11:16
Did you know that they use isolation as a form of torture and punishment in prison systems. Locked in a pitch black room not being able to hear anyone or see anything. How would you enjoy living the rest of your life like that after seeing what this world has to offer. You say they are not animals yet you think its a good idea to take away there free will as well as their ability to see the world.
Joseph M. Grech.
Jan 15th, 12:11
@Mr F J Brincat
My point is that such a supposedly advanced society with such a supposedly advanced technology and such supposedly advanced welfare service like Belgium could have found a way to make them appreciate their lives with all their disabilities not just kill (murder) them as if they were dogs!
THEY DID NOT AND THEY FAILED!
It's you who mentioned religion and yes it is a warped concept
Matthew Saliba
Jan 15th, 13:28
@Mr F J Brincat: Fret not! Some people have yet to understand the meaning of freedom of choice.
@Mr Grech: They had another option - kill eachother! They CHOSE to go in a dignified manner by using THEIR mental faculties (i.e.: they were not forced to die)
Mr F J Brincat
Jan 15th, 13:30
J Grech - you mean the concept of choice is warped or the choice they made? You see, just because you don't agree with it, it doesn't make it is the wrong choice. They felt that it was the right choice to take - which is the most important thing really, not what you or I think.
Paul Hawker
Jan 15th, 13:45
Funny saying that Mr.Aguis, i think there will be alot of people on the islands who wish to die, as soon as they receive their income tax forms and the long awaited electricity and water bills. Yes. then Belgium is the place.
V Mercieca
Jan 15th, 09:59
I am not in agreement with the writers below.
God forbid if every blind person decides to die just because he/she does not see.
Life is precious and should be respected. Many people loose their sight and they learn to adapt to the new situation.
Unfortunately these twins choose the easy way out
Adam Cassano
Jan 15th, 10:59
Did you also read that these 2 twins are deaf as well. Being deaf and blind is different from just being blind.
Carmel Borg
Jan 15th, 12:46
@ Cassano
so according to you, the angels living at the Dar tal-Providenza should also be given the option to demand the society to kill them. Being blind, being deaf, being both or being desperatae for other reasons has nothing to do with it. Tell us where one does draw the line of what unbearable means? Society failed these persons.
Adam Cassano
Jan 15th, 13:06
@Carmel Borg, If they wish to do so and are old enough to understand and make an informed decision then yes they should have the choice to live or not live their lives the way they wish. Who are you or society to tell them how they should deal with their own choices. We are not herd animals we can make our own choices. And this one is no ones choice but theirs.
Martin Saliba
Jan 15th, 17:12
Carmel Borg , one word to your question , Yes.
Paul Pulis
Jan 15th, 17:41
The easiest way out is to judge from the comfort of one's home.
Anthony Cassar
Jan 15th, 07:56
Just one word.......Shame
Franco Attard Trevisan
Jan 15th, 08:32
who are you (or I) to judge?? ... It's their life and their choice
P Mangion
Jan 15th, 08:43
Agree with Mr. Attard Trevisan !!!!
Doris Sarlo
Jan 15th, 09:38
I agree with Mr. Attard Trevisan & P. Mangion! It is their life and their choice!
Carmel Borg
Jan 15th, 11:08
Attard Trevisan, Mangion & Sarlo
Shame is on the country not them. I understand they felt desperate, but should a country offer to kill those who feel that they can't be desperate anymore? Where will one draw the line on the definition of unbearable?
Yes, shame on Belgium and similar laws
Franco Attard Trevisan
Jan 15th, 13:29
@ Carmel Borg
"where will we draw the line"
easy.. you draw the line by realizing that any decision taken regarding by a person regarding his body / life /existance should be respected .. If a human being decides it's time to call it a day, then so be it. Obviously one should see that before such a decision is taken all options are considered.
Please choose the reason of your report below: