# From "The Guardian": "Pratchett starts process to end his life" **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 13, 2011, 9:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-guardian-pratchett-starts-process-to-end-his-life/585301 "2011-06-13T09:26:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![JoseB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/joseb/32/1530_2.png) [@JoseB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoseB)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 9:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-guardian-pratchett-starts-process-to-end-his-life/585301/1 "2011-06-13T09:26:58Z")
Exactly what it says on the title. Article from “The Guardian” here: > **[Pratchett starts process to end his life](https://www.theguardian.com/books/2011/jun/12/pratchett-starts-process-to-end-his-life)** > > The fantasy author Sir Terry Pratchett says he has received consent forms requesting assisted suicide but has not yet signed them Of course, they say that 70% of those who start filling up the paperwork for that don’t go through with it, and Pratchett himself says that his upcoming book and movie are what prevent him from going ahead right now. I (selfishly, I know) hope there will be enough books and films coming up to keep him busy, and also that there will be some kind of breakthrough regarding Alzheimer’s disease that will allow for a stabilisation or even a reversal of the process. Hey, one can hope, no…? ---
**Author:** ![One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/838e76/32.png) [@One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/One_And_Only_Wanderers)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 10:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-guardian-pratchett-starts-process-to-end-his-life/585301/2 "2011-06-13T10:00:30Z")
It sucks that he (or indeed anyone) is in this position. I will appreciate any future works of his and salute him when he’s gone. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-guardian-pratchett-starts-process-to-end-his-life/585301/3 "2011-06-13T10:28:17Z")
Good to know. I hope he’ll take the last steps in time. ---
**Author:** ![Double\_Foolscap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/85e7bf/32.png) [@Double\_Foolscap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Double_Foolscap)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 10:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-guardian-pratchett-starts-process-to-end-his-life/585301/4 "2011-06-13T10:32:37Z")
I though that this was going to be Pterry starting the process of filling the syringe with morphine and cracking open the single malt - I’m relieved that it’s just paperwork. The situation still sucks the big one, though. ---
**Author:** ![yanceylebeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yanceylebeef/32/12290_2.png) [@yanceylebeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yanceylebeef)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-guardian-pratchett-starts-process-to-end-his-life/585301/5 "2011-06-13T14:14:31Z")
Terry Pratchett has started the process of ending his [life](http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/jun/12/pratchett-starts-process-to-end-his-life) I’m behind him 100%, but I can’t imagine living in a world that no longer has Sir Terry’s voice in it. ---
**Author:** ![One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/838e76/32.png) [@One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/One_And_Only_Wanderers)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-guardian-pratchett-starts-process-to-end-his-life/585301/6 "2011-06-13T14:15:56Z")
May be if interest to you > **[From "The Guardian": "Pratchett starts process to end his life"](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=612234)** > > Exactly what it says on the title. Article from “The Guardian” here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/jun/12/pratchett-starts-process-to-end-his-life Of course, they say that 70% of those who start filling up the paperwork for that don’t go... ---
**Author:** ![yanceylebeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yanceylebeef/32/12290_2.png) [@yanceylebeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yanceylebeef)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-guardian-pratchett-starts-process-to-end-his-life/585301/7 "2011-06-13T14:21:08Z")
Well. Poop. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-guardian-pratchett-starts-process-to-end-his-life/585301/8 "2011-06-13T14:29:23Z")
Merged threads. ---
**Author:** ![yanceylebeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yanceylebeef/32/12290_2.png) [@yanceylebeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yanceylebeef)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-guardian-pratchett-starts-process-to-end-his-life/585301/9 "2011-06-13T14:35:37Z")
Thanks, **Marley**. ---
**Author:** ![Taomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Taomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taomist)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-guardian-pratchett-starts-process-to-end-his-life/585301/10 "2011-06-13T14:38:58Z")
Aww, damnit. And the book I randomly picked up to read today is: Mort. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![hotflungwok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/edb3f5/32.png) [@hotflungwok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hotflungwok)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-guardian-pratchett-starts-process-to-end-his-life/585301/11 "2011-06-13T15:21:44Z")
Dammit ☹ I’m gonna go read Interesting Times. ---
**Author:** ![Damfino](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Damfino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damfino)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-guardian-pratchett-starts-process-to-end-his-life/585301/12 "2011-06-13T19:22:30Z")
I hope he doesn’t have go through with this. I respect his choice, though. But last I heard he had _three_ books in the pipeline, dammit! His last few books have shown no fall in quality (_Nation, I shall wear Midnight, Unseen Academicals_) so I hope and trust that he remains in good health for a long time to come. I hope that doesn’t sound too selfish. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-guardian-pratchett-starts-process-to-end-his-life/585301/13 "2011-06-13T19:38:51Z")
The man was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s three years ago. He may have largely held his faculties thus far, and no doubt his fans are grateful for whatever works shall be forthcoming. But there are much worse fates (for family and friends, as well) than the death he now anticipates choosing. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-guardian-pratchett-starts-process-to-end-his-life/585301/14 "2011-06-13T19:57:51Z")
My mother has Alzheimer’s. Or rather, I should say that the body of a woman that I once called Mama is in the end stages of Alzheimer’s. My mother is basically dead, but her body is still alive. I applaud Terry’s courage and foresight. The end for an Alzheim’ers patient is not pretty or easy, and it’s very hard on the survivors. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-guardian-pratchett-starts-process-to-end-his-life/585301/15 "2011-06-13T19:58:17Z")
Very sad, but I’m glad he has this option. Interesting how many don’t go through with it. I’m guessing the process makes them feel more empowered. Alan Carr, who wrote the world’s bestselling book on quitting smoking, was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer a few years ago and made the arrangements with a clinic in Amsterdam, but instead chose to die “conventionally” in a hospital of his illness. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-guardian-pratchett-starts-process-to-end-his-life/585301/16 "2011-06-13T20:32:28Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > My mother has Alzheimer’s. Or rather, I should say that the body of a woman that I once called Mama is in the end stages of Alzheimer’s. My mother is basically dead, but her body is still alive. I’m sitting here sobbing. I lost my dad to cancer and my mom to a sudden stroke, and I honestly couldn’t say which was worse - the drawn out process or alive one day, gone the next. I’m so sorry for your loss. ---
**Author:** ![Alka\_Seltzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@Alka\_Seltzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alka_Seltzer)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-guardian-pratchett-starts-process-to-end-his-life/585301/17 "2011-06-13T21:40:21Z")
Just watched the programme. Upsetting, but there are worse things than to die at a time of your own choosing, in relative comfort. Terry has now signed the consent forms, but has not yet decided if he will take his own life. As an Alzheimer sufferer, he has a particular dilemma. If he was to wait until his condition detoriated too much, he would no longer be able to give his consent, making the procedure impossible. He may be forced to take the decison while he still has his faculties and is able to continue with his life. Here’s hoping that day is long delayed, whatever he decides. If you haven’t read them, here are Terry’s [thoughts](http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/feb/02/terry-pratchett-assisted-suicide-tribunal) on the subject from the Richard Dimbleby lecture. ---
**Author:** ![Taomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Taomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taomist)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-guardian-pratchett-starts-process-to-end-his-life/585301/18 "2011-06-14T04:46:25Z")
BTW, the article near the original story, [http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/may/21/jon-ronson-how-to-spot-a-psychopath](http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/may/21/jon-ronson-how-to-spot-a-psychopath) is interesting as hell! Scarily enough, I’d score at least a few points on the psychopath test. :mad::eek: ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-guardian-pratchett-starts-process-to-end-his-life/585301/19 "2011-06-14T17:25:51Z")
I do hope he brings some sort of closure to Discworld before he goes. What I’d sort of like to see is a montage book, set varying numbers of years past the books we have now, showing the deaths of various major characters. Yeah, morbid, but Pratchett’s death scenes are so well and kindly done that they hardly even seem sad. ---
**Author:** ![Damfino](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Damfino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damfino)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-guardian-pratchett-starts-process-to-end-his-life/585301/20 "2011-06-14T21:56:09Z")
> [@chronos](#): > > i do hope he brings some sort of closure to discworld before he goes. What i’d sort of like to see is a montage book, set varying numbers of years past the books we have now, showing the deaths of various major characters. Yeah, morbid, but pratchett’s death scenes are so well and kindly done that they hardly even seem sad. How do you reply in all caps? Tried but couldn’t. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-guardian-pratchett-starts-process-to-end-his-life/585301.md?page=2)