Booker resident speaks about euthanasia debate (From This Is Local London)

Booker resident speaks about euthanasia debate

10:30am Saturday 13th February 2010

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A MAN whose own father had Alzheimer's has spoken out against Sir Terry Pratchett's call for euthanasia to be legalised.

Eddie Ball from Shrimpton Road, Booker said although he does have sympathy for Sir Terry he said people with a faith in God would find it hard to agree.

Mr Ball, 64 said: “It is a form of suicide unfortunately. Obviously people who don't have a religion or don't follow a religion may not have a problem with making that sort of decision.

“It is much more difficult for people who have a religious background.”

Sir Terry – who is suffering from the early stage of Alzheimer’s– has said tribunals should be set up to determine whether a person should be granted the legal right to die.

Mr Ball added: “I have great sympathy with Mr Pratchett. I just feel because of my religious background it is a very individual and possibly a little bit selfish in wanting the law changed.

“I feel if people want to make that sort of decision they should make their own means if they need to.

“I don't feel the law should change because of a few.”

Mr Ball, who is a Roman Catholic, believes he was lucky and privileged to be present when his mother, father and wife died.

He said: “Those days were precious, worth more than any amount of money.

“My dad had Alzheimer's. My mother used to get upset but at the end of the day she wouldn't have exchanged one day even when he had Alzheimer's. She liked being with him.”

He added if the law changed he would be worried that it would be open to abuse by family members as not “everyone in the world is perfect.”

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