[Faline]

These are the harrowing scenes that shocked viewers when it was aired this week on the BBC - the death of a sick man on TV.

Peter Smedley, 71, tells Christine, his wife of 40 years: "Be strong my darling", before passing away.
The retired hotelier had gulped down a glass of barbiturates in the BBC2 documentary Choosing To Die, made by author Sir Terry Pratchett. Sitting on a couch at Dignitas assisted suicide clinic in Switzerland, he thanks the doctor for "looking after him".
As Christine strokes his fingers, he says: "She is very good at putting me to sleep by rubbing my hands."
Christine, 60, fights tears as her husband starts to choke before grabbing his arm.
Peter - who suffered from motor neurone disease - is heard gasping: "Water." Doctor Erika Preisig replies: "No more water, just sleep."
She then cradles his head as he closes his eyes and starts to snore loudly - a sign of respiratory failure.

Peter is handed lethal liquid:

Peter Smedley takes down glass of barbiturates:

The end ... Dignitas doctor cradles Peter's head as his wife Christine looks on:


The doctor tells Christine: "He's sleeping very, very deeply now. Soon the breathing will stop, then the heart."
The controversial programme featuring the Smedleys, from Guernsey, sparked heated debate on Twitter.
James wrote: "Peter is incredibly selfish. They have been together 40 years and he's casually killing himself 2 weeks before Christmas."
Tom Beasley added: "It's much easier for the ones who go than the ones who stay behind."
But Rob Hinkley tweeted: "Tough, thoughtful, humane programme about people facing tough situations."

Two videos, first one is unedited but the sounds out. The ones put on youtube keep getting removed or not viewable in my country
Anyone have the unedited original video?

[spookypooky]

This is such a difficult thread to respond to. One of only a couple that has brought tears to my eyes

[wabbit]

It was a sad programme to watch. Couldn't believe how brave and nonchalant he was about it. No real hesitation in drinking that stuff at all...He just wanted to go and that was that.

I thought it was mean that he couldn't have some water, but apparently he could have survived (but with brain damage) if he drank some.

[NaughtyGirls]

Originally Posted by spookypooky ↗

This is such a difficult thread to respond to. One of only a couple that has brought tears to my eyes

heartbreaking hey

[renfairegeek]

Wow.

I do however believe it's our choice to make.

If he was suffering, what good is it to have him stay if he doesn't want to? I know what it's like to have to watch a family member deteriorate and suffer... it's not fun.

I wouldn't want my family to have to go through that either.

Difficult subject, I know... but I still believe that it's our choice to make.

[Faline]

I believe if we are suffering then we should be able to chose to die if we wish. When an animal is suffering it is put to sleep so i don't see why it should be different for humans. As long as the person is sound of mind at the time of making the choice.

[Steve]

I think that Mr Smedley (RIP) was a brave fella to let cameras in on the most intimate thing he will ever have done, I cried when I watched that first time round I made a point of watching it, if nothing comes of his death then fine but if it encourages others to go out with dignity surrounded by their loved ones then job done.
Why die.... possibly alone and in excruciating pain when you can go out peacefully, the state has no right at all to tell you how or when you can die, it's our lives and we will make the decision not fucking big brother, they control too much as it is.

[docfr8]

People commit suicide over minuscule matters, with no regard to family and friends. Selfish acts of cowardliness are a lame way to go out.

He went out on his own terms. Many others dont get to make the choice. Being terminally ill, it is with almost all certainty, that he got all his affairs in order before he died, took care of his loved ones, and was able to tell them goodbye in his way. Much respect. RIP... Mr Smedley.

[whatknife]

So sad....why does he hav to eat chocolate, anyone know?

[Faline]

Originally Posted by whatknife ↗

So sad....why does he hav to eat chocolate, anyone know?

He mentions taste so i think the mixture has an awful taste to it.