I am feeling quite tired tonight.   Stood for two hours plus,  on Parliament House steps where the Minister for the Aged, the Hon. Gavin Jennings walked passed me without any acknowledgement…..A few people kindly signed the Petition, including one lady on her way to Peter Mac for her treatment for breast cancer.  A gentleman introduced himself as a life member of DWDV and wished me well, understanding full well how difficult it is to achieve legislative change.

Another gentleman quite made my day.   Although he is a Pro Life person, as distinct from Pro Choice,  he told me he respected my efforts in what I am trying to achieve.   He did not sign the Petition, but accepted my card regardless.   I have great respect for those who at least listen and evaluate, and agree to give my position consideration.  I want choice for myself, others can make their own!   I have also handed out to the DWDV literature.   One lady thought my VE badge, dark blue with the white dove on it was representative of the Uniting Church.  Although informed otherwise, she still signed the Petition.

Just as I was due to leave because I had a previous commitment a contingent of journalists and photographers arrived at 12.15 to cover the Toxic Waste storage debacle Protest elsewhere on Parliament Steps.   (no one wants it in their back yard!).   It can give you cancer I’m told!    However, when I tried to talk to one woman about the intended nuclear debate about to start, she quickly pointed out quite dismissively “that  was a Federal issue”.   No, Madam, both are Australian issues regardless of which State we live in!  Given that both Toxic and Nuclear Energy create there own disposal problems for Australians, whether in Victoria or elsewhere I quickly realised that this was not really a moral issue but perhaps an opportunity to embarrass the incumbent State Government.   Why do people consistently split responsibility when vital policies are made by both Liberal and Labor with people from the same ideology.  The differences are only that one works in a State or a Federal arena – but they are still Labor or Liberals Members and are representing us a constituents.   

In Foreign Correspondence this week one of the two stories was about two Australians who returned to Italy to participate in Governing Italy!!!  Old men who had chosen to come and live in Australia are returning to Italy to make decisions about what happens to those Italians who still live there.   One gentleman hopes the process will eventually lead to a globalized government representing the whole world….God the mind boggles – as America, Russia and China would each fight bitterly to be the one in control the “the red button”, the genetically modified food to better enslave people to work for the wealthy few, and to control the entire global population from outer space.   If you feel I’m being absurd, just think of the technological advances made by mankind at the expense of the dispossessed, and the oppressed.   Already there are great gaps in the haves and the have nots!

It was unfortunate perhaps that I had to leave right then, but was really too tired to stand any longer and having had nil orally for obvious reasons, it was time to go!

Tomorrow I will drive to Ballarat and visit a relative! another one who thinks I am a Rebel with a Cause!  I wonder if he will sign the DWDV Petition?

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Mr Baillieu’s office (The New Liberal Opposition Leader) has not returned my telephone call or given me their position in writing relating to the Liberal Policy Platform.  

A Party that endorses autonomy for the individual normally, I’m advised by a friendly Liberal member of the family, so I am waiting with baited breath for a response.

Ms Helen Shardey, Shadow Minister for Health posted me a letter dated May 26, 2006, which thanked me for my letter regarding euthanasia (as distinct from choice and dignity in dying).   It is an important issue and she assures me that my views will be taken into account, should legislation on this matter come before the Victorian Parliament.

And, once again, thanks me for my letter………Helen Shardey, Member for Caulfield, Shadow Minister for Health

In the four years I have corresponded with both Houses of Victorian Parliament I believe this is the first response I have ever had from her, although previously I had hand delivered my letter to her new office.

I have at least 40 such letters in my files from all manner of politician, but this lady is our Shadow Minister and still gives the stock reply – but who will actually bring it before Parliament?.  I can’t! – that’s why we have elected government ministers – to represent the people!  What does surprise me is the wordings of the letters is so similar, I wonder if there a bank of letters where politicians just pluck the appropriate letter, remembering to change the name and address each time,  to appease the angry/frustrated/disenchanted constituent.  And how many tax payers dollars go into these “draft common saying nothing at all” letters????   A friend recently received a letter with another person’s name and address…and we’ve received similarly worded letters to different constituents.   I do hope when Work Choice does kick in, that time and motion studies, money saving measures start at the very top of the ladder in curbing expenses for letters that actually “say nothing useful”.  

Senator Ellison’s letter, Federal Minister for Customs was the exception.  It answered my concerns.  That was appreciated!

Ms Shardey is the Liberal Representative, for Caulfield,  for one of the most densely aged population in the whole of Victoria.   Could someone please ascertain what her vision for Victoria’s aged is going to be, given that staffing of nursing homes is already quite difficult and the frail elderly are suffering.   Admittedly many in Caulfield are Jewish and because of their cultural love of family will look after their own, but what of the rest of Victoria for whom Ms Helen Shardey is the Opposition Spokesperson?.

Give us a Voice, Give us a Choice! I have said these words a hundred times over the past few days……Yesterday I went to the Bentleigh Shopping Centre and stood outside Rob Hudson’s ALP Office and asked people to sign the DWDV Petition, and in the process found myself explaining the simple processes of what Choice is about!

At the three venues I’ve had the Petition, its intent is not always understood. Two people thought I was asking for them to sign their “Advance Directive/Living Will” with the petition form itself. Some thought it was asking the Government to authorize killing people. Many thought it was already a reality that their last wishes would automatically be respected by all those around them. I explained it was an indication of their choice but the Health Care Workers made the final decision about their end of life outcomes. I also reminded them of Maria Korp who did not regain consciousness to make her wishes known before she was cut off in the prime of her life.

I was asked why, and if, I wanted to die? Of course, I don’t want to die! but I acknowledged that “How” I die is important to me!

A few said a sincere “thank you” for the effort I was obviously making. Standing in a cold wind for long periods of time (2 hours mostly each time) is not my preferred choice of entertainment. I’ve said Voluntary Euthanasia is a very long way off, first we have to have Advance Directives / Living Wills given Statutory Recognition!…that is ensure the Medical Treatment Act 1988 is adhered to in law. The simplicity of abiding by the patient’s wishes is much harder to achieve than most seem to realise.

I’ve read somewhere that 40% of doctors will support a patient’s request for a hastened death, which means that 60% do not put the patient’s wishes before all other considerations. I am talking specifically here about chronic and terminally ill people, not a young person involved in a car accident who has become differently abled as a result of the injuries sustained.

Many “can’t consider their death as they have too many years to live” I too thought I would go on forever, a strong minded, healthy woman, without a care in the world! A number of people thought I looked far too healthy to have had cancer or be a potential stroke victim! Again looks are deceiving!…I knew a young tall strapping handsome man who to all intents and appearances looked like a Film Star – but buried in his body were lungs constricted by the condition known as cystic fibrosis. He was able to continue living because he successfully underwent a lung transplant. I was my personal inspiration in survival of ovarian cancer.

As we live longer, resources as commented in the RACV Royalauto of June 2006 informs us that The Royal District Nursing Service cared for 30,000 people. These figures relate to the Greater Melbourne area making 1.3 million visits annually to people who are elderly, in need of assessment or palliative care and or medical care.

There are 1000 registered nurses attending to 7000 people daily. I have checked and established these figures relate to the Greater Melbourne area only and that Regional Cities, such as Bendigo and Ballarat have other nursing units.

I had no idea that the Royal District Nursing Service existed on partial Government funding topped up by Corporate Support. In this article, the RDNS, as a charity is being subsidized by the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (an emergency repair vehicle organisation for those American readers of this site) the petrol costs for 42 vehicles, covering 8 million kilometers, There is a small fee of user pays which may range from $A2.85 for a pensioner for a visit. Donations to the RDNS are always gratefully received.

I found it quite sad that the sum total of a person’s day for pleasure would be a visit from the nurse. I can understand the mutual respect and liking that develop between the nurse and the visited. But with 1000 nurses attending to 7000 calls for their attention per day, it reflects the times we live in that shortly, with a greatly increasing aging population those 1000 nurses will need to increase dramatically. By operating on Federal & State limited funding and the RACV supporting the petrol bill (and how long can that last?), surely the solution is to allow people who are frail elderly chronically ill, and terminal to die with dignity, making room with limited resources for those coming up behind. Many of those 7000 would be in the age bracket of frail elderly, themselves living alone and unable to interact with others they’ve grown through the year with. Desperately lonely individuals, but unable to make new friends because of their confinement due to age or health reasons. Many quite intelligent individuals who are quite set in their ways and suffer the frustrations that lack of mobility creates to enable them to interact with like minded groups.

It is appalling to think that choice and dignity in dying is so very hard to achieve given that most of our Health System seems so very dependent on public donations, from Monash, The Royal Children’s, The Royal Melbourne, The Ambulance, The Royal Life Savers, the list is seemingly endless.

The question I would ask the Politicians is what vision is there in place to support those who are being kept alive as much for experimental reasons and family love (?), who would rather be allowed a peaceful death?. Talking only in terms of Choice.

Politicians will, at some point, realise that the unemployment which is skyrocketing with companies and jobs overseas, massive importation of cheap labour, (who just send their money back home to their overseas families), and now with Work Choices, there will be no Australian donation base with which to work!

People living in Australia will no longer be able to maintain their generosity to the Health Care System because they are too busy trying to support their massive mortgage, unemployment, minimal wage. The RACV of Australia won’t have a customer base themselves because people will not own a vehicle or run it because of their own unemployment and vehicles running costs which are spiraling out of control.

Anyone who watched the Four Corners Program on Channel Two last night dealing with the Aboriginal communities in outback Australia will understand how much closer that sense of hopelessness is being brought into the city with unemployment and minimal wage impacting on a person’s sense of worth and purpose for living.

The nuns, when viewing a child doing “nothing” would say, The Devil finds Work for Idle Hands. I have lived with that philosophy all my life. I’ve always made sure I’m busy and lead a fulfilling life. However that takes effort – the world doesn’t come to me – I go to it……I found the Aboriginal woman who said “I only live for today” a concern. Without focus, without purpose, the community dies and so does hope. Unless there is a vision by our politicians, Your Choice in Dying, will become a reality for a whole range of individuals who have lost any sense of purpose for living. Dying is not the worse thing than can happen to an individual, I believe, it is the loss of hope that things will ever get better than how they see their life today. Without purpose!

I heard a young girl mention I as walked through a room where someone was watching the “Big Brother” Program that she’d earned $8 per hour. I didn’t register her name or the job but I am making a point. Australians cannot live on the costs incurred within our society on the wages that “Big Business” is prepared to pay. Some who are employed make good money – but for the majority of lower income families struggling to survive, juvenile delinquency will look like a kindergarten compared to a nation filled with unemployed, unmotivated to labor for a pittance, frustrated and angry, Angry because a life style that took 50 years to develop has been wiped clean by globalization. People without major health issues who take their own lives, do so because they feel so totally helpless and hopeless in the face of what is being offered to them.

Child minding duties over for now, I’ve moved on to prepare for “Scrabble Day with the Ladies” this afternoon.   Just now though I have included under Additional/ Related Readings/Film a heartfelt Christian Response to the film, The Da Vinci Code, together with my say and a contributor’s response to the Christian’s article which is well researched,  but a little pointless when one considers the words quoted in the rebuttal of the film cannot be verified as authentic.   We always come back to the definition of “faith”.  The author himself quotes “faith” but others in society prefer a more scientific approach to decision making on which we base our living (and dying).  Perhaps now the Christians can understand better the lack of humor, Islam, Sikh, Jews, & Hindus do feel when their religious beliefs are under attack.  What is that cohesive word, ecumenical (?) before they pick up their rifles again and kill in the name of God.  Personally I stay right away from it all – it is truly my definition of profanity in the name of the Lord.  To kill each other in the name of God or whatever other title people put on Mother Nature and ignore the outcomes is truly “blasphemous”.

Far too tired for comfort this morning, slept badly.   As this afternoon and tomorrow will be taken up with child minding duties of a good grandmother I will switch off from Choice as I enjoy the laughter and innocence of the very young.

There is an article under Media /”Dying By Inches”/ which will strike a cord with many visitors.  In particular an observation received by email which encourages us to consider what dying by inches really means.

Chuckled yesterday as I walked past a Petition against the The Da Vinci Code.   They still haven’t “got it”.  That it is a book and a film, not a documentary, but an entertainment.  They wanted Dan Brown to have the historical facts corrected – since when has Hollywood stuck to the facts?.     I wanted to ask them to sign my DWDV Petition (there appeared to be three men organising their Petition, so three signatures to my one!) but then I thought perhaps they wouldn’t see the joke.  In fact I thought they were perhaps deliberately blocking my view of their professionally set up little table on Swanston Street.  All the comforts of home. (I had all my placard and windcheater on obvious display also, so I would have impacted on them)  I wondered if they had a permit, was it required under Council Law and just for a minute, I wanted to stand beside their setup and create a disturbance for them!   But by then, I was really too tired myself and I’ve learnt, not everyone shares my wicked sense of humor.

Today’s Events

Today in front of the Victorian Parliament Building, as expected more about awareness than collecting of signatures which was probably six at the most.   However, 99% of those who walked past me read the Placard, some will consider its implications to promote Legislative change.   Some people took the DWDV pamphlet for more information, others took my card.

I was aware though that very few dark suited men or women showed any visible sense of acknowledgement, far too busy, busy, busy to slow down and actually look at me.   No doubt they were our elected Members of Parliament by the quality of their suits.   I thought they needed to walk to Flinders Street and meet the “other” real people of our society, the homeless, Real people, who need to feel included in the wealth of Victoria.  Given a purpose for living.    Last year I had one unnamed politician actually engage me in meaningful dialogue.    Perhaps because I am not funny,  young, physically attractive or “a name”,  makes the difference except when they want your vote…then they’ll climb over glass to convince you of their sincerity and integrity.

Three important incidents occurred today, over and above the kindness of people to stop, and probe and show an interest, and even sign the petition.   I didn’t push myself forward like I did on Flinders Street Station.   It was for me, about creating awareness.

Firstly, A teacher had me explain to her students what I was trying to achieve with my demonstration.   She took a photo with myself, placard and students so they consider the issues of how laws may be changed.   I gave her both the Dying with Dignity Victoria brochure and my website card.  I thanked her for the opportunity that I see through the education of the young.

Secondly, a delegate of a major union came and introduced himself asking me to explain my intentions.   I felt quite reassured by his sense of purpose and understanding.   Not that he personally can do anything for me but it had something to do with those heavy closed wooden doors as a symbol of Parliament being cut off from the people it serves, yet someone as a Delegate to the ALP Conference, actually listened like they cared.   It doesn’t take much to make me happy.

And of course I was able to go up to Constable (?) Theo Gazis and thank him sincerely for his tactful handling of me when I was so distressed on May 12th on the steps of Parliament House….I was able to say that he reassured me that policemen do know how to demonstrate sensitivity when it really counts…..as it doesn’t always come through to the general public.  I told him today “he’d received an honorable mention in dispatches”  We need to be as quick to praise as we are to criticize!

I stood for two hours and sat for half an hour, then walked back down Bourke Street wearing the Windcheater promoting legislative change and carrying my Placard.   Even where I stopped off for a very late lunch, a young man took my card with interest….Turkish folk!….Jokingly he asks what’s wrong with a rope over the tree outside his restaurant in Swanston Street to which I responded, absolutely nothing except for the ones who’d find me – like his customers!!

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Yesterday, two and a half hours on Flinders Street Station netted me 37 signatures for the DWDV Petition for Legislative Change.   I was tired and a bit sore with the standing…..many interesting people I spoke to,  included an indigenous aboriginal who told me their elders took care of their needs to ensure choice and dignity in dying.   I explained that in a hospital environment that would put the elder at risk.   He signed the DWDV petition.

As reported in the Australian Nursing Journal, cancer had previously not been a major consideration for aboriginals because of the high mortality rate from other systemic diseases and the relatively short life expectancy.  However recent observations demonstrate increasing incidents of respiratory system cancers also cervical and breast cancers in their womenfolk.   Some elders see cancer, according to a recent study by Dr Deborah Prior as introduced by white man’s colonisation.   Many aboriginal see cancer “as a death sentence”, because it mostly quite advanced when diagnosed.   We are reminded again that it is important to be cultural sensitive to a particular groups values.

I felt the last paragraph of the article was of particular importance……

It is particularly important that cultural practices are accommodated when the patient is near the end of life because the place and manner of death have cultural and spiritual significance….

To promote cultured centred cancer care health professionals should have some knowledge of Aboriginal culture and understand the impact of history on people’s attitudes toward conventional health care.

A culture-centred approach require health professional to respect the different world views about a disease like cancer and recognise these differences as strengths, not barriers, and that the cultural strengths are the bases for appropriate cancer care.

One of my favorite theater experiences is attending the Bangarra Dance Company from Sydney.   I participated in the march of the Silent Protest of Sorry.    I wish I could do for them but I can’t think, white Australians have helped more than they hindered, the indigenous people.   The Labor Government tried to do something practical only to have their work undone by the Liberals.  I can only register my sorrow for them as a marginalized section of our Australian community.

I too have cultural and spiritual beliefs which I would like to have respected in my end of life decisions.

The Pro Euthanasia and the Anti Euthanasia lobby groups are like two railway tracks that always run parallel with each other. The train that must use both tracks is “life”. Both tracks believe they are the only one supporting the train. Eventually the track runs into a junction which is death, but until that happens the two run side by side, never meeting each other, both destine for the same permanent stop. Both believing in their individual superiority over the other track. Going no further.

It is the journey we take, that makes the difference in how we want to arrive of our final destination. We can’t convince the other track that it is not needed because we need balance to achieve a comfortable ride. But after a long journey some people stand up from their seats and go to the door earlier, restless to be done with the journey. Others have no need for this restlessness in their lives because they have no desire or need to arrive at their final destination until later, much later.  But, arrive they will!

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Yesterday. I attended a “First Communion” service……unlike my previous experience I felt no tension at being in a Catholic Church again for the purposes of such a ceremony.   It gave me nothing but it took nothing from me either (except money for the plate!)

It was interesting around the table afterwards where discussion ensured about how services are conducted in this modern age.   Older Catholics felt much of the symbolism and sincerity had somehow been eroded with piped music and a TV type screen rolling up the wording…. A little unaccompanied hymn was sung by the congregation.   But the children were happy and delighted in their long white dresses and the boys in their dark suits,    A very special day for them to remember.    I asked if they were still required to “fast” from midnight but from the smile I received it was an unheard of “venial” sin gone with modernization.

Given the anger expressed by the official Catholic Church management regarding The Da Vinci Code it was surprising to see three women attending to the priest’s needs at the altar during the ceremony.   One has to wonder at an organisation that finds the thought of a WOMAN becoming an ordained priest – and how much angst is demonstrated about Mary giving birth by intercourse so distasteful- it allows for procreation after all.   With woman 50% of the population,  and priests dying due to the aging process, one would think it a logical solution to allow the ordination of woman, together with choice and dignity in dying as that aging become an epidemic in the face of modern medical technology.   

I wonder how long it will take for a logical approach to the world’s differences, to be implemented,  using only practical solutions

There are two ways of exerting one’s strength — one is pushing down, and the other is pulling up.”
–Booker T. Washington

Confucianism
Do not do to others what you would not like yourself. Then there will be no resentment against you, either in the family or in the state. Analects 12:2

Zoroastrianism
That nature alone is good which refrains from doing another whatsoever is not good for itself. Dadisten-I-dinik, 94,5

How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and strong, because someday in you life, you will have been all of these.    George Washington Carver                                                                                   __________

The Da Vinci Code film which I saw last night was a good story.  But obviously it is just a story and to me that it was a “take off” of 007 but instead of the “bad guys in the British intelligence service” this story happened to be a very tiny select segment of the “Catholic Church”.  I thought the monk character was ridiculous and the “Holy Grail” analogy stupid to the extreme – however the scenery was magnificent, the acting, I thought was very good, and I didn’t notice “the lank dirty hair look” as I was too interested in the story line and the scenery.  I believe those who had an understanding of Catholic doctrine would have been the only people to actually have some understanding of the storyline.   I think the story was sympathetic to Catholics in general and as there are “bad apples” in every large business corporation I think the film should be taken much less seriously than some have proposed.  The big screen though is the way to see it…..DVD TV won’t show the same scale of architectural beauty.  

All I realise is, that since there has been a single God for major religions throughout the world we have not stopped killing each other in His Name…..

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I have posted an excellent article by Rob Harle, titled The Constitution, Religious Intolerance and Voluntary Euthanasia, under Political, also please read Senator Ellison’s letter.

Bottom line:  is that the world should be big enough to accommodate alternative points of view and still have room for allowing people to agree to be different without threats, boycotts, discrimination, and the general unpleasantness that some people seem to develop because they think theirs is the only one worthy of consideration.    Mr Harle reinforces my belief that whatever “works for you is your right to participate in”, while allowing others,  the same courtesy.

The Liberal Policy Platform is not necessarily for introducing voluntary euthanasia legislation.  The views expressed by Mr Baillieu were a personal one, and will possibly not form part of the Party machine. 

Highlight was getting a formal response from Senator Ellison (Federal Minister for Justice and Customs) which answered my concerns.  His letter has been reproduced in both Letters from Politicians  and under Additional/Related Reading/Politics.

I must remember to say that I am talking Victoria, Australian politics when referring to Messrs Baillieu, Bracks, Pike & Shardey.  

I have asked verbally May 16th,  of both Mr Baillieu, Opposition Leader and Shadow Heath Minister, Helen Shardey written responses to the proposed euthanasia policy so I am better informed when asked about it.   Mr Baillieu’s office number is 9651 8512 where Sarah will answer your enquiries.   Ms Shardey’s Caulfield North Office is 9527 3866.   Having spoken to the gentleman in her office I am not anticipating any response from the Shadow Health Minister but perhaps Mr Baillieu’s office will be more forthcoming.

Recently, I was talking to a retired nurse in her 70s, a Liberal voter (I asked) in Ms Shardey’s electorate, telling her of the possibilities of a Victorian Liberal Government’s policy, which included euthanasia.   She was telling me of her experience years before as a nurse, where a doctor had prescribed morphine for an elderly man in bad pain from cancer.   Rather than give the prescribed medication the nurses collectively,  decided not to as it might have killed him.   Apparently his last two weeks were agony.   I believe in the end they complied with the doctor’s instructions.    I was horrified, and this must have shown as she did say that education has improved since.

She went on to say that she agreed to limited voluntary euthanasia for only terminally ill patients and didn’t see people suffering advanced multiple sclerosis or muscular dystrophy as terminal!    MS & MD were “illnesses” unlike cancer (?).  I pointed out to her that the difference between cancer could be six months ( considerably more or less) suffering,  against MS & MD which could be seven years!…  All chronic and terminal illnesses were deadly.

But because I have a vital interest in how the Australian economy is going to bear up under the pressure placed on governments by a continuing graying non contributory group of citizens, I believe Choice is the alternative, and it will take a Liberal Government to achieve this.   Because by definition the Liberals believe society should have autonomy.  A user pays where the rich will be able to afford the medications, the instant hospitalisation, and the best doctors.   

Labor has made itself dependant on gambling to sustain Health among other things – but as the asset owners have gradually dwindled their superannuation and houses to support the habit, money is no longer there for other necessities.   I have heard of two widows who have lost their homes to gambling and one now lives in a caravan park.   With the encouragement of the baby boomers to mortgage their houses to live grandly for the rest of their lives (which is fair enough) and the repayments will come out of their estate,  there will be no inheritance for the children.   I wonder even if children are aware that on their parents death they may be left with “nothing” tangible.   People sometimes think that massive debt, bank card bill, whatever,  dies with the deceased.   With less money within the reach of ordinary people some visionary planning will have to be undertaken, however unpalatable by government.

Under facts & figures I will give you some insight into the nursing crisis which is not looming but is overwhelming Victoria now.