Shropshire Star

Noel Conway: Huge majority support terminally ill Shrewsbury man's right to die

More than nine out of 10 people support the right for a Shrewsbury man to decide when he dies, accordoing to a Shropshire Star poll.

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Noel Conway with his wife Carol

Noel Conway, who is terminally ill with motor neurone disease, wants to determine when he ends his life.

And his fight has been overwhelmingly supported by Shropshire Star readers.

In a poll of more than 900 readers on shropshirestar.com, 93 per cent said they supported Mr Conway's right to die.

Scores of well-wishers left supportive comments after reading about the case in Saturday's Star.

The former college lecturer, 67, is bringing a judicial review that could result in a change to the law on assisted dying.

Mr Conway's condition means he is not expected to live more than a year, although he says he fears becoming "entombed" in his body during that time as his muscles gradually weaken.

He wants a doctor to be able to prescribe a lethal dose when his health deteriorates. He is supported by his wife Carol.

The case will be the first High Court challenge to the existing law since MPs rejected an attempt to introduce assisted dying in 2015 and the first such case since right-to-die campaigners lost their appeal before the Supreme Court in 2014.

Star readers made it clear which side of the debate they are on, with just seven per cent opposing his view.

They also expressed their support in comments left online about Mr Conway's story.

Noel Conway

Scott Jones, of Shrewsbury, said: "Noel was my a tutor when I was at college and I have worked with his wife Carol. Both are fabulous people. I wish them all the very best and hope they get the legislative support that they desire to move forwards with dignity."

Phil Barley, of Telford, said: "People should have the right to choose their end of life and I truly hope he wins his case.

"No one deserves to suffer like this for themselves and, however objectionable, it is a release for the family who suffer the mental torture of seeing their loved one deteriorate, suffering, and the unknown period prior to their loved one's demise."

Tracy Price, from the Church Stretton area, said: "The pain threshold is different for everyone and unless you have experienced that much pain you can never understand what people are going through.

"He should be allowed to decide whilst he can what he wants to do."

Jayne Risely, from Telford, said: "My sister died from the same illness. We had to see her suffer in pain and it is a dreadful disease. I think they should give you the choice to decide to end your life, no person should suffer to the end."

Lisa Evans, from the Oswestry area, said: "There are lots of human rights laws in this country, but yet those that have the power think that one of the most important things is to be illegal.

"This poor man wants to decide how he goes, to make sure he has control, but no – others say he has no choice in that matter.

"Human rights exist until you want out."

Kirsty Stephens, of Telford, said: "Anyone with capacity and a life limiting disease or condition should have the right to make a decision on their right to die.

"They should be allowed to die in their own homes with their family around them, not have to travel to Switzerland to die."

Mr Conway said he had considered travelling to Dignitas in Switzerland to have an assisted death but it was expensive, he may not be well enough to make the journey, and in any case he would end up dying away from home without his loved ones around him.

He has instructed specialist public law experts at Irwin Mitchell to seek permission for a judicial review on the grounds that the current laws contained in the Suicide Act 1961 are incompatible with his basic rights – to be able to die with dignity.

The law firm has issued proceedings in the High Court and hopes that a full hearing will take place in early 2017.

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