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Discworld News From PJSM Prints


January 31st 2010

Sir Terry Pratchett declares that ‘Assisted Death’
is an idea whose time has come

Sir Terry Pratchett will present an impassioned plea for people to have the right to choose how, where and when they die when he delivers the Richard Dimbleby Lecture on BBC One on Monday 10.35pm.

The best selling author, who was diagnosed with a rare form of early-onset Alzheimer's disease in 2007, will argue that ‘Assisted Suicide’ or, as he prefers, ‘Assisted Death’ is “an idea whose time is really coming” and will call for a tribunal to be set up where people can apply for legal permission to end their lives at a time of their choosing.

In the speech, he says: "the tribunal would be acting for the good of society as well as that of the applicant … and ensure they are of sound and informed mind, firm in their purpose, suffering from a life threatening and incurable disease and not under the influence of a third party…. I would suggest there should be a lawyer; one with expertise in dynastic family affairs who has become good at recognising what somebody really means and indeed, if there is outside pressure. And a medical practitioner experienced in dealing with the complexities of serious long term illnesses.”

He offers himself up as a test case for the new tribunal declaring: “if I knew that I could die at any time I wanted, then suddenly every day would be as precious as a million pounds. If I knew that I could die, I would live. My life, my death, my choice.”

The tribunal would also offer protection to the medical profession, who in the past, he argues, often played a role in helping people have a comfortable death: “The Victorians knew how to die. They saw a lot of death. And Victorian and Edwardian London were awash with what we would call recreational drugs, which were seen as a boon and a blessing to all. Departing on schedule with the help of a friendly doctor was quite usual and there is every reason to believe that the medical profession considered that part of its duty was to help the stricken patient on their way.”

He believes that many GPs would support the right to die now if they were protected: “It would be interesting to speculate how many doctors would “come out” were it not for the baleful glare of the BMA. Anyone who has any long-term friendships, acquaintances or professional dealings within the medical profession, let alone knows anything about the social history of medicine, knows that down the ages it has seen it as part of its duty to allow those beyond hope and skill to depart in peace. I can recall the metaphors that have been used; helping them over the step. Showing them the way. Helping them find the door. Pointing them to heaven. But never, ever killing them, because in their minds they were not killing and in their minds they were right.”

He adds: “I certainly do not expect or assume that every GP or hospital practitioner would be prepared to assist death by arrangement, even in the face of overwhelming medical evidence. That is their choice. Choice is very important in this matter. But there will be some probably older, probably wiser, who will understand. It seems sensible to me that we should look to the medical profession that over the centuries has helped us to live longer and healthier lives, to help us die peacefully among our loved ones in our own home without a long stay in god’s waiting room.”

Summing up he says: “It’s that much heralded thing, the quality of life that is important. How you live your life, what you get out of it, what you put into it and what you leave behind after it. We should aim for a good and rich life well lived, and at the end of it, in the comfort of our own home, in the company of those who love us, have a death worth dying for.”

The Richard Dimbleby Lecture is on BBC One, Monday 1st February, 10.35pm

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January 28th 2010

And the Winner is

Broadcast Awards 2010

Over 1200 of the best of the broadcasting industry were recognised with a coveted Broadcast Award at last night's gala dinner at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London.

The Awards proved to be a fantastic night. Comedian and 8 Out of 10 Cats regular, Jason Manford hosted the evening and presented the awards.

Big winners included The X Factor, The Inbetweeners, Sky News and Twofour. The prestigious Channel of the Year Award went to ITV1 and Best Documentary Series went to Terry Pratchett: Living with Alzheimers – congratulations Terry and Rob!

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January 28th 2010

Nation NTLive

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January 23rd 2010

Dimbleby Ticket Winners

Howard and Liz Smith are the lucky winners of our prize draw and will be attending the Dimbleby lecture on February 1st. Congratulations! For everyone else, you will find it broadcast that evening on BBC1 at 22.35.

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January 14th 2010

Sir Terry Pratchett to give 2010 Dimbleby Lecture

'Shaking Hands With Death'

Terry Pratchett

Sir Terry Pratchett, is to deliver BBC One's annual Richard Dimbleby Lecture on February 1st.

This will be the 34th lecture held in honour of the veteran broadcaster who died in 1965.

The first novelist to give the lecture, Sir Terry Pratchett is the acclaimed creator of the bestselling Discworld series. The first Discworld novel, The Colour of Magic, was published in 1983 and there are now 37 books in the series.

Regarded as a significant satirist, Pratchett has won numerous literary awards, was awarded an OBE in 1998, Knighted in 2009 and has received eight honorary doctorates. His novels have sold more than 65 million copies and have been translated into 37 languages.

In December 2007, he announced that he had been diagnosed with a rare form of early-onset Alzheimer's disease. Since then, he has become Patron of The Alzheimer's Research Trust and has been closely involved in fundraising as well as making a sizeable donation to the charity himself.

In this keynote lecture, 'Shaking Hands with Death', Sir Terry Pratchett will explore how modern society, confronted with an increasingly older population, many of whom will suffer from incurable illnesses, will need to redefine how it deals with death.

Jay Hunt, Controller of BBC One says: "I'm absolutely delighted that one of our most popular and best-loved authors has agreed to give this lecture. Sir Terry Pratchett has spoken with great bravery and honesty about his battle with Alzheimer's and I look forward to an intelligent and thought provoking speech."

Other previous Richard Dimbleby lecturers include the Prince of Wales, Bill Clinton, Dame Stella Rimington and Dr Rowan Williams.

The lecture will be executive produced by Phil Dolling and the producer is Victoria Simpson.


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Win A Pair of Tickets!

Admission to the Dimbleby lecture is strictly by invitation only, but we have one pair of tickets to give away to this prestigious event.  All you have to do is email us HERE with your name, address and phone number and your entry will be placed into our electronic hat.

The event is taking place at 6pm in central London on Monday 1st February and will finish at around 8.30pm.  Please make sure you can organise travel to and from the event before making an entry.  Your travel, accommodation, food and anything else you can think of except one pair of tickets is NOT included.  Also, please do not contact us regarding travel, hotels or restaurants – these are all your responsibility!

Please do not make multiple entries as these will be automatically deleted.

Tickets are not transferable.

We will draw one name at random on Friday 22nd January and the winner will be notified by telephone when we will give them the exact location and timings.

Good luck!

 


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Please join us in supporting the Alzheimer's Research Trust.


Support The Alzheimer's Research Trust


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