I came across this story yesterday and wanted to comment. In belgium a pair of deaf twins were euthanized because they were facing a life of blindness. Commenting on their death, their doctor said, “It was a relief to see the end of their suffering.” Every year thousands of people in Belgium choose euthanasia. Most of them face a terminal cancer diagnosis or something of that magnitude. So you might ask, “What was the suffering spoken of by their doctor?” Did they have a terminal diagnosis? No! Their suffering was that they could not stand the thought of being blind and not being able to see each other ever again. You read that correctly. They chose death over blindness.
As someone who deals with being blind on a daily basis I wanted to comment on this situation. First, blindness can be a very difficult thing to live with. It is something that impacts almost every aspect of my life. It can cause great frustration and stress. A life with blindness, however, is infinitely better than no life at all.
Second, a government that would support euthanasia of two people simply because they are going blind is incredibly offensive and repulsive. These actions do nothing but promulgate the attitude that a person who is blind, or deaf, or has any other physical ailment cannot live a fulfilling life. It supports the false notion that people who deal with these issues cannot be a productive part of society. My life has had many frustrations and stresses directly related to my blindness, but I have not allowed them to hold me back. I have pressed on through them, doing whatever I can to help others and contribute to the society around me.
When I first read this story I was shocked by it. I was shocked that someone would choose death over blindness. I was shocked that a government would support and encourage such actions. And I was shocked at how little attention this story has received. Once the shock wore off, however, I became heartbroken. Heartbroken over the fact that people have nothing more than this life to live for. I am able to accept my blindness, pressing on through the frustrations and stresses, only because I have something to live for beyond this world. I have a purpose for my life that transcends any physical ailment I might have. I live for the gospel, and to advance the cause of Christ. I pray for the family and friends of these twins. I pray that they would come to know Christ and would gain a purpose beyond this world.