Persuasive writing- The BIG issues.

In Room 9 we've been having some pretty heavy discussions on some of the big issues in the world. Some wonderful thoughts and opinions have been shared and listened to. Students have recently chosen a topic of particular interest to them and after carrying out some research have written a piece of persuasive writing. We hope this piece of writing from Tarren Loughran will get you thinking.

What would YOU do if you had a terminal illness? I know my choice. I would go get euthanized. Why? You may ask. Do you think I would WANT to live my life in suffering, pain, regret? I bet most of you reading this don’t even know what euthanasia is right? Now is your chance to find out. In this piece of work, I will take you on a journey explaining what euthanasia is, why New Zealand should legalise it, and I will tell you the story of the life of someone who has had a rollercoaster ride switching between life and death, influencing the worlds view on euthanasia to finally die in peace. But first, let’s start with the info.

Euthanasia is intentionally ending someone’s or something’s life to relieve pain or suffering. To everyone that owns a pet you might know this as being “put down”.

There are 3 main types of euthanasia, voluntary, non-voluntary and involuntary euthanasia. Voluntary euthanasia is when the person to be euthanized has made the decision themselves. Non-voluntary is when the person to be killed is unable to choose themselves, so someone close to them has to make the decision for them. Involuntary euthanasia is when someone is killed against their will. This is also called murder. There are also two types of ways to get euthanized, passive and active. Passive euthanasia means that you die slowly and peacefully. An example of this is unequipping an iron lung or other types of life support. Active euthanasia is when you die quickly and painlessly. For example a lethal injection.

In my opinion, euthanasia should definitely be legalised in this fine country of ours. People should be given the right to die. Why? Say you, yes YOU, are suffering from terminal cancer, stuck in a hospital bed, constantly in pain, endless injections only prolonging your miserable life? Not only would you be in pain yourself, what about all your family members? They could do nothing to save you, shivering in despair of the inevitable waiting to happen. Doesn’t sound nice does it? There’s only one solution. Euthanisation.

Let me tell you the story of one person who changed the view of euthanasia around the world. Terri Schiavo. The story begins when Terri collapses face first onto the pavement, unconscious. She was rushed to hospital and couldn’t live without complete life support. In 1998 Michael Schiavo, Terri’s husband, filed a petition to remove her feeding tube, therefore letting her die rather than suffer. Her parents opposed this refusing to let Terri die. In 2003 Terri Schiavo got her feeding tube removed but the government ordered it to be put back in, making her endure more pain. Terri finally died at a Pinellas Park Hospice in 2005 after having her feeding tube removed for a second time. Studies show that patients who have their feeding tube removed usually die a peaceful death. If you were Terri, what would you do?

I hope I have widened your knowledge about euthanasia, as well as helping you choose a side in the everlasting debate over this highly controversial topic. Do you want to live like Terri Schiavo? Endlessly suffering great pain? This is why I think NZ should legalise euthanasia. If I want you to take one thing from this it is this. You have the right to die.