Should we trust the Dignitas association in Switzerland?

[disabledlife]

Should we trust the Dignitas association in Switzerland?

Let me ask you about Dignitas, because it is impossible to find its postal address (it's a post office box).

Can he scam?

Is Dignitas trustworthy, or is Pegasos better.

 

[mortuarymary]

Pegasus is my one. Dignitas as far as I know this is from someone who went with a friend, who had the green light then was turned down by them. They kept £5k or something similar of the deposit. He eventually used Pegasus and died peacefully but his wife is taking or was taking Dignitas to court to get the money back. I'll see if I can find the article on Facebook.

 

[Tears in Rain]

They seem pretty straight down the line. As to regards how difficult it is to get into their process, I don't know. Members from their association appeared before the UK house of parliament last year to answer questions. I'd say they're fairly trustworthy, as things go.

Dignitas has helped 540 British people die, MPs told

Swiss organisation calls for assisted dying to be legalised in UK and made available alongside palliative care

www.theguardian.com

 

[mortuarymary]

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjwvOvM7YyEAxWIWEEAHaQYCp4QFnoECA4QAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.exitinternational.net%2Fstory%2Ftroy-thornton%2F&usg=AOvVaw2A4B9x-5-LvWwmnQEJmvhD&opi=89978449

 

[J&L383]

Thank you for posting that. I have joined both organizations (I at least support the Dignitas efforts on the legislative front), and am most impressed with Dignitas' communications (even before I joined I had some questions they quickly responded to, including the refund policy) and they run a tight ship. They are very transparent about "no refunds" (whether or not you get a green light). So if I do apply I will plan on losing a lot of money, and be delighted if I don't! Pegasos is sometimes slow with emails but their track record of approving difficult cases does seem better. And last I checked they have a much better refund policy, you might lose 1,500 but not 4,000. Amy Bloom's memoir illustrate some of the difficulties with Dignitas, although they eventually did succeed, (but this was in a very early days of Pegasos.). I would be curious if one gives a green light and the other doesn't, when supposedly they're both bound by the same rules and guidelines. But that's the problem because of the way it's practiced in Switzerland, it's mostly guidelines and rules and not legislation that they're bound by.

 

[Meteora]

I think with mental disorders you have only very little chance to be accepted. And it depends a lot on the age, too. And on treatments you have already tried. Do you have mental issues or physical?
It s kind of unfair that they keep money although you re turned down.

 

[J&L383]

I have a physical issue. But not life ending (although life itself is life ending ).

Age shouldn't be part of it, but in practice it is unfortunately. (The Swiss law is anyone over 18). A general rule of thumb is the younger you are the sicker you have to be, with medical reports to prove it. Much better chance with Pegasos for mental issues. (Norah Vincent for example). The needle you have to thread is proving that you have discernment and mental capacity despite a mental health issue. Discernment and mental capacity is critical because that's stipulated in the Swiss law.

 

[TAW122]

I think Pegasos is probably better based on what others said. As for either organization, keep in mind it is very hard to get accepted as one would likely have to be in severe chronic illness (mainly physical), advanced age (not just young adult, but like over 50+ or so), and other conditions to have a reasonable chance of getting approval or the green light. Then even with that, there is no absolute guarantee. Furthermore, it seems like Dignitas may be harder to access in the future due to changes in the law and such.

Foreigners fret over stricter Swiss rules on assisted suicide - SWI swissinfo.ch

The Swiss Medical Association has issued a new rule on assisted suicide that may make access more difficult, sparking concern around the world.

www.swissinfo.ch

 

[J&L383]

The new guidelines are just that, "guidelines." They aren't codified in law. (Not yet, fingers crossed). There is never any guarantee in anything. But I believe the Swiss associations are sincere in their efforts to provide peaceful endings for those who are suffering. 50 does appear to be an arbitrary age where it becomes somewhat easier to obtain the green light, but the associations review everything on their merit. If you are suffering in any way, I wouldn't hesitate to reach out.

 

[Mi Mi]

Should we trust the Dignitas association in Switzerland?

Let me ask you about Dignitas, because it is impossible to find its postal address (it's a post office box).

Can he scam?

Is Dignitas trustworthy, or is Pegasos better.

I think it depends
Diginatis was difficult for me because of the language barrier
I basically paid to be a member but I think they never responded back because I didn't qualify
Pegasos straight up gave me a suicide hotline number

 

[J&L383]

I actually found the quality of my communications with Dignitas impressive, with no language barrier problems whatsoever. It was only after they answered some of my questions that that I decided to pay to be a member. (You actually are a member even if you don't pay, if you just declare yourself a member). I'm not sure what you meant by you "didn't qualify."

I understand that Pegasos does sometimes refer you to a suicide line if you are "young." (I don't like that, but it kind of is what it is). It needs to be appreciated that they are operating under Swiss law as well as various guidelines and it's not easy for them. They get a lot of emails and there's really literally only a half a dozen employees/volunteers.

 

[UKscotty]

Hard to trust any organisation that profits so massively from death.

Charging people £10k for something they could do for free feels morally wrong to me.