Transsexual chooses euthanasia after failed operation

[wa3zrm]

NBC News ^ |

A high-profile case of a Belgian transsexual who chose to be killed by medical euthanasia after a sex-change operation turned him into a "monster" has highlighted the soaring number of people in the region electing to die this way – and has raised fresh questions over the controversial practice.

Nathan Verhelst, born Nancy, gave an interview to a local newspaper hours before his death this week citing his "unbearable psychological suffering" – rather than a terminal or degenerative physical illness – as his reason for dying voluntarily.

"When I looked in the mirror, I was disgusted with myself. My new breasts did not match my expectations...

[Frosted]

Yes, I saw this last week but I think there were a series of operations that went drastically wrong. However, it is shocking that somebody is allowed to end their lives legally over something like this. I think it's pathetic when you've got soldiers coming back from Afghanistan with no legs and they compete in paralympics and you compare it to this. It's a fact that life is tough and your state of mind is required to change to overcome the obstacles that are put in your path. It's really tough sometimes but you must carry on and if you can't, do it yourself and don't create any mess for people to clear up but legalised euthanasia in these cases is so very wrong.

[Skell18]

Yes, I saw this last week but I think there were a series of operations that went drastically wrong. However, it is shocking that somebody is allowed to end their lives legally over something like this. I think it's pathetic when you've got soldiers coming back from Afghanistan with no legs and they compete in paralympics and you compare it to this. It's a fact that life is tough and your state of mind is required to change to overcome the obstacles that are put in your path. It's really tough sometimes but you must carry on and if you can't, do it yourself and don't create any mess for people to clear up but legalised euthanasia in these cases is so very wrong.

I am semi pro legal euthanasia, I would not be happy with someone could just walk in off the street and order one euthanasia please, but, when you have e.g. MS or dementia and will end up a vegetable, then, if yo so choose, you should be able to end it before you forget who you are or loose all mobility and become a burden. Terry Pratchett made a documentary about it a few years ago that was very moving.

Choosing to do it is not an easy thing to do or one thats taken lightly. Your example of soldiers is valid, but they are mostly young, so their mindset will be different to say, someone in their 60s who has had a good life but doesn't want to be ravaged by a debilitating disease. The soldiers will still be able to visualise a life, children etc.

[Frosted]

Yes Skell, I agree...but we're talking about the transsexual. Now I don't know the age of the transsexual but I was assuming he/she was youngish.

[Crow]

Euthanasia is legal in Washington [and Oregon] for those with terminal illnesses.

He should have been referred to a psychologist, or a support group for transmen [at the very least].

Botched tits is not something to kill yourself over. Hopefully, Belgium will examine their euthanasia law, and apply some sort of limitation that will prevent another incident like this from occurring.

-----------

Edit: Apparently, his phalloplasty [penile construction] was also botched. It is quite unfortunate, but I still maintain that this does not qualify for euthanasia. All transgendered individuals that opt to go the route of sex reassignment surgery are repeatedly advised about the risks involved [at least that is my understanding of the process] -- I still believe he should have been referred to a psychologist and a support group for FTM transgenders instead of being allowed to end his own life... and if it was me, I would have sued the bastard, looked into corrective surgery after receiving payment, and opt for a prosthetic. // There were plenty of options still available to him; it certainly was not an end of the road, which is why I don't see this as being a valid application of euthanasia.

[lxskllr]

No one should be prevented from doing as they please. Nobody has an opinion that matters in the subject. It's up to the individual to live, or not as they choose.

[LincolnSnuff]

If everyone who had imperfect tits committed suicide there would be about 3 women left on the planet. This makes a mockery of euthanasia for those who suffer from debilitating illness. This guy should have purchased a sharp razor or a found a tall building.

What's next? "I don't like my hair. Could someone please hook me up to that tank of carbon monoxide?"

[halocog]

"I don't like my hair. Could someone please hook me up to that tank of carbon monoxide?"

Lol, if people like that could thin themselves out that easily, the gene pool would be much cleaner.

[Frosted]

Is there such a thing as an imperfect tit? Maybe it's me. I always thought I was a perfect tit.

Peoples perceptions constantly change throughout life. Remember the daft thoughts you had and daft things you did as a younger man? You look back and cringe. Life changes all the time and you constantly learn and you see things from a totally different perspective but you must live through the pain to get to that side of things. Maybe in a few years this person may have learned to live with it. Maybe this person had a mental illness that needed attention.

Euthanasia in this instance is ridiculous. I agree with lincolnsnuff. If you want to end it, do it yourself.

[halocog]

Frosted, I can't seem to take your posts seriously with that avatar haha.

[lxskllr]

Frosted, I can't seem to take your posts seriously with that avatar haha.

[Skell18]

hahahahahahahahaha!

[wa3zrm]

lx... never thought I'd say this, but you are getting as bad as PP

[Frosted]

lmao

[CzechCzar]

Some of the wisest stuff you have ever said imho Frosted.

Yes, I saw this last week but I think there were a series of operations that went drastically wrong. However, it is shocking that somebody is allowed to end their lives legally over something like this. I think it's pathetic when you've got soldiers coming back from Afghanistan with no legs and they compete in paralympics and you compare it to this. It's a fact that life is tough and your state of mind is required to change to overcome the obstacles that are put in your path. It's really tough sometimes but you must carry on and if you can't, do it yourself and don't create any mess for people to clear up but legalised euthanasia in these cases is so very wrong.

Is there such a thing as an imperfect tit? Maybe it's me. I always thought I was a perfect tit.

Peoples perceptions constantly change throughout life. Remember the daft thoughts you had and daft things you did as a younger man? You look back and cringe. Life changes all the time and you constantly learn and you see things from a totally different perspective but you must live through the pain to get to that side of things. Maybe in a few years this person may have learned to live with it. Maybe this person had a mental illness that needed attention.

Euthanasia in this instance is ridiculous. I agree with lincolnsnuff. If you want to end it, do it yourself.