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Why it was right that my Reg took his life

Jan 7 2008

EXCLUSIVE by Helen Hunt, Liverpool Echo

 

Win Crew

THE Liverpool widow of a man who used a Swiss clinic to end his life today said she would take the same action.

The fifth anniversary of Reg Crew’s assisted death falls later this month.

Win Crew spoke to the ECHO of her belief that they took the right decision and of her determination to change the euthanasia law in Britain.

Speaking from the home the couple shared in Hunts Cross, the retired librarian said: “If I got really sick with something and knew my life wasn’t worth living, I would certainly go and do it.

“I’ve seen close hand what happens – at least I would be picking my own time.

“Surely it would be better if a proper law was in place to allow people who are terminally ill to die with dignity.”

Mr and Mrs Crew and their daughter Jan Healey flew to Swiss clinic Dignitas in 2003.

On January 20, at 10am, with his daughter and his wife at his bedside, he drank water laced with barbiturates.

The 74-year-old retired car production worker had suffered from motor neurone disease for four years and could take no more.

He told broadcasters he had enjoyed a “good innings” as the drugs took effect.

The couple had enjoyed more than 50 years of marriage, but they knew it was time to part.

After Mr Crew’s death, she wanted the government to change the euthanasia law and was given hope by a proposed bill in 2006. But it was rejected by the House of Lords.

Mrs Crew said: “Reg didn’t want to go to another country to die, as he always said England was the best country in the world and hoped to end his days here.

“Not a lot has changed since his death. We went down to London a lot when the bill was going through. Now I do what I can to highlight the plight because it was the last thing he asked me to do.”

Mrs Crew, now in her 70s, was devastated when the bill failed.

She said: “We took thousands of signatures to the House of Lords.

“I really thought it would be achieved and if there was a referendum in this country that law would be passed because everyone I speak to all say the law’s not right and the terminally-ill should have a choice.

“Reg wasn’t in a lot of pain, but it was like having no arms or legs. His muscles had gone.

“He knew he would end up choking or starving to death – why should he have to face that end?

“He had a really peaceful end. If we would have stayed here his end would have been barbaric.”

 
 

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