How to Die: Simon's Choice
The dramatic and poignant story of one man facing the heartwrenching decision of whether to end his life at a suicide clinic after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease.
Simon is a successful businessman with a loving family and a large circle of friends whose world falls apart when he is diagnosed with an aggressive form of motor neurone disease and given two years to live. Within weeks of the diagnosis, the disease causes Simon to lose the use of his voice. Faced with the prospect of a rapid physical decline, Simon tells his family that he is considering ending his life at a Swiss suicide clinic.
Filmed and directed by award-winning filmmaker Rowan Deacon, and made in partnership with the Open University, this intimate and deeply moving film follows Simon and his family and friends as they grapple with the huge moral, emotional and legal dilemmas around Simon's choice. Their conflicting perspectives unearth difficult questions for Simon which mean that his heartwrenching decision is hanging in the balance until the very end.
Shot against the backdrop of the recent parliamentary debate on the assisted dying bill, Simon's remarkable story explores the complex human questions at the heart of this deeply divisive issue.
Last on
Dr Alison Plumb, a morality policy issues expert, on the politics of assisted dying.
Clips
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"I'm not frightened of dying"
Duration: 01:42
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Dratted disease
Duration: 01:02
Credits
Role | Contributor |
---|---|
Participant | Simon Binner |
Participant | Debbie Binner |
Participant | Erika Preisig |
Participant | Ammar Al-Chalabi |
Director | Rowan Deacon |
Producer | Rowan Deacon |
Executive Producer | Colin Barr |
Production Company | Minnow Films |
Participant | The Open University |
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