Whose Life Is It Anyway Brian Clark

A person’s right to live or to die should begin and end with the individual involved. Brian Clark in his drama “Whose life is it anyway?” questions this assumption. Many people would reason that the quality of a person’s life is more important than the sanctity of it, and as Dr. Jack Krevorkian states in the film “You Don’t Know Jack”, “Who cares what people think, It’s how the patient feels.” Ladies and gentlemen, an individual’s ability to make rational decisions in situations of trauma is explored in Clark’s drama through the script’s protagonist, Ken Harrison. As a quadriplegic awaiting transfer to a long stay facility where he will live the remainder of his life, it is his challenge to the medical profession which forms the basis of the
These two passions sustained him but sadly neither can now bring him any joy. Although he is physically immobile, Ken’s mind is active, and perhaps this is more detrimental to his mental wellbeing than a broken body. Opinionated, articulate and intelligent he has resolved that for him “life is over” (Page 55) because he “can’t do things (he) wants to do”. On this basis he demands to be released from the hospital in which he resides and asks that his treatment cease. In contrast to Ken’s beliefs and demands, stands Doctor Michael Emerson, the hospital’s consultant physician. Clark uses him as a comparison to the two moral ideals. Unlike Ken who wants to end his life, Dr Emerson believes in the sanctity of life and, that even in the most tragic situations, people can “come to accept” (Page 12) their condition and live a fulfilling life. Although noble, I side with Ken’s belief in the value of the quality of one’s life. I do not believe that life is worth living if a person is unable to find satisfaction or peace within it. Sadly, it is Doctor Emerson’s arrogance regarding this issue which challenges my respect for him. When he abuses his position by not only forcibly injecting Ken against his will with Valium, but then declares Ken mentally incompetent and irrational, I am appalled. By disrespecting Ken’s wishes, he has lost my
In 2015, 57-year-old Simon Binner was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease and was given 6 months to two years to live. Initially, he accepted this and wanted to make the most of his time with his wife and family. However, his condition deteriorated immensely within the first few weeks, and resulted in Simon losing the use of his voice. Faced with the prospect of a rapid decline physically, Simon decided to tell his family that he was considering ending his life at a suicide clinic in Switzerland. Similar to Ken’s realisation that he was not living but was existing, Simon came to a similar conclusion and also had to fight for what the best was for him. Enduring similar moral, emotional and legal obstacles on his journey, Simon was granted the right to assisted suicide in a clinic in Switzerland where he took his own life with a lethal l injection. He died at peace, with integrity and with dignity. Similar to Ken, Simon’s right to decide his path was restored by the law and I am so pleased that the law is able to bring reason and justice to those truly