The former chief inspector of schools, Chris Woodhead, has said he would consider suicide rather than be debilitated by motor neurone disease (MND).
Woodhead, 62, who was diagnosed with MND three years ago, said in an interview with The Sunday Times that "the quality of one's life is more important than its quantity".
"'I am clear in my own mind that it is better to end it than continue a life that is extremely frustrating for me and onerous to others who are involved with me," he said.
However, the former Ofsted chief said he would not consider travelling to controversial Swiss clinic Dignitas, claiming he would rather "drive myself in a wheelchair off a cliff in Cornwall than go to Dignitas and speak to a bearded social worker."
Dr Kirstine Knox, chief executive of the Motor Neurone Disease Association, said it was impossible to convey in words the "overwhelming and devastating nature of a disease which in as little as a year can turn a person into someone totally dependent on others for the simplest and most private actions we all take for granted."
She said: "It's important that we talk about death as it's an inevitable part of life and one that society cannot shy away from. By talking about his diagnosis Chris is highlighting the need for better palliative and end of life care in this country.
"Everyone deserves dignity in death."
Woodhead, 62, who was diagnosed with MND three years ago, said in an interview with The Sunday Times that "the quality of one's life is more important than its quantity".
"'I am clear in my own mind that it is better to end it than continue a life that is extremely frustrating for me and onerous to others who are involved with me," he said.
However, the former Ofsted chief said he would not consider travelling to controversial Swiss clinic Dignitas, claiming he would rather "drive myself in a wheelchair off a cliff in Cornwall than go to Dignitas and speak to a bearded social worker."
Dr Kirstine Knox, chief executive of the Motor Neurone Disease Association, said it was impossible to convey in words the "overwhelming and devastating nature of a disease which in as little as a year can turn a person into someone totally dependent on others for the simplest and most private actions we all take for granted."
She said: "It's important that we talk about death as it's an inevitable part of life and one that society cannot shy away from. By talking about his diagnosis Chris is highlighting the need for better palliative and end of life care in this country.
"Everyone deserves dignity in death."
Disability Now, 16th May 2009
Please Note: origanal publishing unknown
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