Daughter’s plea for terminally ill to be allowed to die with dignity

Samantha Scott is calling for changes in the law after a petition was launched campaigners.

‘Dignity in Dying’ urges the Scottish Government to introduce assisted dying.

Her mum Sheena Lawson was diagnosed with metastatic cancer in August 2014 which led to numerous tumours growing on her spine and throughout parts of her body.

Over a three-week period, her body began to shut down and all her vital organs stopped working. The illness led to crippling pain that not even high doses of morphine could relieve.

She was bed ridden for the full three weeks and was unable to make the slightest of movements without any assistance.

The devastating effects of illness left her unable to eat as her bowels failed.

Samantha watched on as her mum continued to suffer and her dignity began to disappear.

Samantha told the Ayr Advertiser: “It was at this point the family would visit and she was embarrassed.

“She was no longer able to do things on her own and didn’t want family seeing what they saw.

“A few days prior to her passing the family left her hospital room and turned around to see her crying and looking at photos we had sat on the bedside table.

“She didn’t want to be in that situation or to suffer any longer. “She was always a very proud person in terms of appearance, and I know that she wouldn’t have wanted anyone to see her the way they did.”

Samantha’s mum passed away just before her 21st birthday.

Now she wants people to think about the impact not just on the patient but on families as well after she watched her mum suffer.

She added: “I have seen things I won’t ever be able to forget and those memories will stay with me for the rest Daughter’s plea for terminally ill to be allowed to die with dignity of my life when it could have been prevented by allowing my mum to pass on when she wanted to.”

A local nurse who has worked with terminally ill patients has also backed calls for people to choose how and when they die.

Aimee Kennedy said: “I personally think that every person has the right to choose how they die. Nobody wants to suffer at all.

“I have given patients end of life care and as professionals our job is to do the best, we can to let the patient die peacefully and pain free, but this isn’t always the case.

“Patients do suffer, the doctors and nurses try their best but sometimes drugs and pain relief isn’t enough.

“We wouldn’t sit by our pets and watch them suffer, we would to take them to the vet to be put to sleep so that they slip away as peacefully as possible. That is why I am all for this.”

The Ayrshire Hospice say ‘serious consideration’ needed before change in the law is considered.

They believe that “very careful and serious consideration” would be required if there was to be changes in the law.

Margaret Wilkie, Patient Services Director at the Hospice explained: “The whole ethos of hospice and palliative care, as defined by the World Health Organisation, is that it “intends neither to hasten nor postpone death”.

“Improving access to hospice and palliative care services should be a priority for the Scottish Government ensuring public funding is available to increase the availability of palliative care, whether provided by the NHS, social care services, national organisations, or charitable hospices.”

“Like all hospices across the UK, this philosophy is a cornerstone of Ayrshire Hospice care.”

“If there were to be a change in the law relating to physician-assisted suicide in Scotland, we believe that very careful and serious consideration would need to be given to the effect it would have on patients and those important to them, staff, volunteers and services.

“The Ayrshire Hospice is keen to encourage more open conversations about death and dying in Scotland to help dispel myths, raise awareness and improve understanding.

“The hospice is also keen to work with partners to develop resilient and compassionate communities across Ayrshire offering holistic support to patients requiring palliative and/or end of life care.”