News story: Mother guilty of murdering disabled son
Posted by
Elena - former Community Manager
on 25th January 2010
at 10:55
Yes I had seen this. It's the second case I've seen in the last week of a mother killing a child.
I'm not sure what I think...I know that people have their reasons for doing things like this, and none of us can really understand what thoughts are behind actions like these, as we don't walk in those shoes.
But I can understand why the mothers are punished - if they weren't, then it would set a standard that it's ok to do this in our society. My heart goes out to all involved, as well as jurors and the people trying the case.
Posted by
Snowdrop
on 25th January 2010
at 13:13
Yeah I saw it too, I didn't really read up on it to offer a detailed response but I would say that I couldn't imagine having to see your child in a lot of pain & or laying like a vegtable in a bed with no sign of life so maybe living with such a thing could drive you to consider carrying out such an awful act to your own child. I would say that the authorities are more to blame then the mother as I imagine she was very isolated & not offered the help & support she so clearly needed.
I have always agreed with people being able to decide if they want to end their own life when they have a terminal illness etc & think the law should be changed over here to allow this so its done in a proper way within correct guidelines. I guess one of the main difficulties with a case like this is the son was in no condition to choose his own fate & the mother decided for him which would obviously never become law for this to be allowed.
I will say though I have no idea what it would be like to decide you wanted to take a lethal injection for yourself or to give your child one but I know when I had to have my dog put down, I held him in my arms while the injection was put in & I felt the life drain out of him until I was holding him dead, it was an absolutely awful experience & I couldn't imagine holding my child (no matter what quality of life they have) whilst the same thing was done. I think like Elena, my thoughts go out to all involved in this & similar cases.
Tracy - Community Champion
Posted by
Elena - former Community Manager
on 26th January 2010
at 10:34
I noticed today in the Metro that both of the recent cases have been tried now, and two very different results:
"Kay Gilderdale was given a 12-month conditional discharge after admitting the assisted suicide of the 31-year-old ME sufferer Lynn. Jurors acquitted her in less than two hours in what trial judge Mr Justice Bean described as a victory for 'common sense, decency and humanity'." It went on to say, "The not guilty verdict 'properly reflects the selfless actions my mother took', said her son, Steve, outside Lewes Crown Court."
And in a separate article, "Inglis was convicted of murder last Wednesday and jailed for a minimum of nine years."
Interesting....
Posted by
Snowdrop
on 26th January 2010
at 13:31
Was both cases tried in England Elena, I don't know why I thought one was abroad?
Tracy - Community Champion
Posted by
Elena - former Community Manager
on 26th January 2010
at 15:10
Hmm, I thought so but I could be wrong. I don't have the paper any longer but I think it said that due to the very different outcomes of the cases there are now campaigners who want to perhaps revisit the law on this issue.
Posted by
Snowdrop
on 26th January 2010
at 16:27
I think these sort of cases & laws always will come up from time to time but I don't think they'll ever be a big change in the law with regards to issues like these
Tracy - Community Champion
Posted by
Elena - former Community Manager
on 26th January 2010
at 17:14
It's a very tricky issue...!
Posted by
debbynorris
on 26th January 2010
at 20:02
I watched my grandmother die on request in hospital by not having food and water. It took her a painful 3 weeks.
I would not wish this upon anyone and being now the mother of a autistic child am very aware that she will face incredible hardship from people outside of the family and friends.
I cannot imagine the suffering this mother had daily when she had committed her life to helping those less fortunate. Surely she would be able to judge more than most, especially those on the jury, what her son was going through.
This country needs to get real and have a better system for lethal injection. Its about time the subject was properly debated. People are living longer these days and I don't think all are enjoying it. Surely in this day and age we deserve more choice. After all we allow abortion.
Posted by
Elena - former Community Manager
on 27th January 2010
at 09:27
Family matters are difficult to explain to the outside world, and I think you've really pointed out something key here which is that people will go through incredible hardship from others who are not involved in the decision.
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Posted by
Nia Charpentier
on 21st January 2010
at 10:59
Hi Everyone..
Did you see this story today? I know it isn't about autism specifically but it does involve disability so I'd be really interested to hear your thoughts. I imagine there may be mixed views..
Nia
Mother guilty of murdering disabled son