Well, we really can’t say, even if there is only one person in the world that wants/needs that option, it should be honored as their right to that choice, not for any other to question?
Our vet decades ago was a barn rat in our race horse breeding and training operation.
He went on to become a vet at the top of his class, with an additional degree as an entomologist and was in demand, went as a consultant to South America and Africa, a very interesting and full life, we may say.
Well, he had Tourette’s syndrome, that made his life very difficult.
Lost plenty of clients that though he was rude, here and there bursting out with odd noises and at times cussing, admittedly disturbing to some.
He fought Tourette’s and depression all his life, he was on all kinds of medications over years, his life was great, he admitted, but also said his problems were so bad at times it was extremely painful, as bad as the worst physical pain.
For the years he was our vet, he came several times a week, especially during breeding season, he left vet supplies with us and would leave the clinic and ran the 30 miles to us, tended to the horses and ran back, unless rarely, he had an emergency waiting, then we drove him back.
He said running helped him more than medications.
At 43, he kept getting off his medication, side effects were unacceptable, kept him from doing his job properly and he hung himself from a tree in his yard.
Mind you, he had all kinds of knowledge and medications on hand to go to sleep and not woke up, that was surprising.
We never know what others go thru, we should not judge their lives and find them lacking and decide they are not good enough, should have done this or that differently and tell the world that in situations like this one, that impacts so many in so many ways.
Mental health problems can be as devastating as any physical ailments.
