ASSISTING THE DYING TO MAINTAIN DIGNITY IN DEATH
Although I started out in Afrikaans, I decided to write this reflection in English to make it accessible to ALL of my faithful readers and beyond. In response to an invitation from Hospice Bloemfontein, I embraced the opportunity to attend a special event this past Sunday evening. HOPE AND HEALING, a profoundly deep, open discussion on the topic of ASSISTED DEATH which was hosted by a local Bloemfontein Dutch Reformed Church, Berg & Dal NG Gemeente . As introduction, a 24-minute Netwerk24 video documentary was screened. It told the heartbreaking story of the last part of 63-year-old Carol de Swardt’s journey to her life’s final destination in Switzerland, where she was able to legally end her own life with the assistance of medical professionals. Carol’s unspeakable suffering for an unbearably long time led her to this decision, undoubtedly the most difficult and important of her entire life. Her heartfelt plea was overtly simple - I do not want to lose myself, I