“My life is my own”, writes the late Yuri Hayashi, ALS patient

By Barrier Free Japan

August 7 2020

It was reported on Thursday 24 July 2020, that two doctors were arrested by the Kyoto Prefectural Police for allegedly murdering a woman who had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, at the patient’s request. 

The deceased, a woman aged 51 named Yuri Hayashi, ran a blog and a Twitter account.

On June 29 2018, the day after Hayashi made a blog post titled “Euthanasia as described by a palliative care doctor” she offered a correction and elaboration on her views about euthanasia, in a blog post titled ‘My life is my own‘:

“I missed a very important point in yesterday’s blog.

In order for euthanasia to be recognized in Japan, a great change in values is necessary.

My life is my own.

People in this country may have heard of it once. “My life is not my own.”

I remember being taught that at school.

“Don’t you feel sorry for the parents who gave birth and raised you?”

“Can I make you sad to support and support me?”

It is necessary for you, your family, and the people around you to have the idea and values that your life belongs to you, not to your parents or to those around you.

But what about the feelings of those around them?

Both the family and the people around us must think of the patient first. The patient shouldn’t want to suffer.

There are also cases in which parents assist suicide when asked by a child who suffers from an illness.

Family members and people around them may endeavour to respect their will, and they may fight guilt, until the people of this country can change their mindset.

And debate is needed to get it.

To decide one’s “life” and “death” by one’s will.”