Discussion If I ended up as a cripple (due to life or unexpected circumstances), I would certainly CTB

[TAW122]

Throughout the years on here, I've come across many threads posing the question (even if worded differently or paraphrased), what would make you want to CTB? and I've answered it many times and one of the things that is an absolute deal breaker for me is if I ended up being crippled (physically or psychologically disabled) to the point where I would no longer be able to live an independent life and would require assistance in day to day life (but still enough to have some physical capacity to CTB).

I simply could not see myself living in such a predicament with the problems and issues that I currently face on top of not having physical independence and everyday life being a challenge, a chore. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful that I still have my physical faculties and capacity now, and I don't take it for granted. I generally live life cautiously (avoiding unnecessary risks) since life sucks enough as it is without the additional challenge and difficulties.

Just for the record, this isn't a jab or to downplay the people who ARE actually crippled, disabled, or in a vegetative state. They are very brave and strong for continuing to live and survive despite their quality of life being poor and I respect and admire their perseverance and tenacity to face "life". So many people, especially those in the real world automatically get defensive and aggressive at even the mention of such a topic or comparison, "EVEN IF TALKING IN GENERAL TERMS" and would not even hear out the argument before slapping the label of "Abelist" and whatever '-ist' they will throw. In short, their reasoning and ability to hold a rational discussion immediately goes out the window and no civilized, rational discussion could take place, but I digress.

What are your thoughts? Would you CTB over something like this, why or why not?

 

[WornOutLife]

Yes, I undoubtedly would too.
There are cripple people who are amazing and real winners in life in comparison to me (crippled athletes for instance) but I just couldn't cope with a life like that.
Even though I can walk, CTB is on my mind every single day.

 

[Superdeterminist]

In principle there's no question that I would want to. However my brain, and apparently brains in general, adapt to new lows and somehow justify continued existence in a sick attempt to self-preserve. So in practice, I'm not so sure.

 

[Ghost2211]

In principle there's no question that I would want to. However my brain, and apparently brains in general, adapt to new lows and somehow justify continued existence in a sick attempt to self-preserve. So in practice, I'm not so sure.

This is my thought on it as well. Current us can't imagine such low quality of life, but once we are are in a negative position we adapt to the new normal and continue on unhappily.

 

[NightmareTour]

Im actually at the point that I'm struggling physically and neurologically, but guilt is keeping me here. I've had the conversation with someone who agreed that they'd risk prison to put me out of my misery if/when I literally can't function and don't know what's going on around me, but I guess we'll see if they actually go through with it when presented with the situation.

Even then though, I don't think where I draw the line is the same as where other people draw it. I'm 23 and already need a stick to walk and struggle to complete basic tasks. I'm not going back in a wheelchair again. There isn't any help or chance of improvement. I'm probably ultimately going to end up having to do it myself. It'll always feel selfish, but I guess there are some situations where you have to be selfish, and everyone has their limit.

 

[lostangel]

If I ever found out I had a paralysis disease I would certainly ctb asap. I know nobody will have mercy on me so why wait around?

 

[Lost in a Dream]

I guess for me, it would depend on how severe the disability. It would also depend on whether or not it's the result of a progressive disease or a one-time injury. For example, if I was to lose just one of my legs and had to use a prosthetic to get around, I think that could be a good thing for me. Since I would have an actual physical disability, I could get financial assistance and would no longer have to deal with soul-crushing jobs that don't bring me happiness. What I could do instead is some kind of volunteer work that would make me feel like I have a reason to live. Since I'm not a big fan of people, it would most likely be at an animal shelter that doesn't kill them. I know that I could do this because I have a family member who only has one leg and he does all the things he wants to do, so it could work.

Anything worse than that, I'm certain that I would CTB, especially if a disease that was going to make it get worse and worse was the cause. With the above example, I would probably keep an emergency escape method just in case, but I doubt I would think about it much. It would just be there in case I needed it.

 

[KleinerWolf]

What doesn't kill you, kills someone else.
People care about different things.
I find that fascinating.

 

[NightmareTour]

Since I would have an actual physical disability, I could get financial assistance and would no longer have to deal with soul-crushing jobs that don't bring me happiness.

Trust me, disability benefits are not as good as people seem to think they are. You don't get to be comfortable, you get about enough to rent the cheapest place you can find, pay your bills, and just about afford to eat. Maybe a takeaway every month or something.

Also, you have to prove that you physically cannot work, they'd quite happily sit you down in an office job or something if you were capable of doing that.

 

[Lost in a Dream]

Trust me, disability benefits are not as good as people seem to think they are. You don't get to be comfortable, you get about enough to rent the cheapest place you can find, pay your bills, and just about afford to eat. Maybe a takeaway every month or something.

Also, you have to prove that you physically cannot work, they'd quite happily sit you down in an office job or something if you were capable of doing that.

I do know that disability benefits suck because I have family members who get it and yes it's true that it doesn't cover everything. Luckily there are ways to get assistance for other things, which I could get without too much worry, since I know where those places are (some of my family members can't drive themselves places, so I take them when I can). I also have a fairly good idea of how the process works and how it has benefited them.

I know it won't be heaven on earth. It would have its pros and cons like everything else, but for me, I think it would be doable. The worst that would happen is I would turn out to be totally wrong about everything and I would CTB, which is why I would be prepared for it. You made good points though and it made this thought experiment a little more interesting (I totally wasn't considering chopping my own leg off. I swear it's just a thought experiment!).