Terry Pratchett: Choosing to Die

From The Australian:  Terry Pratchett: Choosing to Die

PRESENTED by fantasy writer Terry Pratchett, this film is about assisted suicide.
In its opening seconds, Pratchett tells us he is 62 years old and was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2007. For him at the moment, in his own words, life with Alzheimer's is full of small but embarrassing inconveniences. He says he won't remember your name seconds after you tell it to him because of his problem with short-term memory. A few years ago he stopped being able to type and now dictates his work to Rob, a personal assistant. Pratchett tells us he has almost finished the first draft of his new book, Snuff. Rob clarifies that it is in fact the 38th draft of the book. "Is it?", asks Pratchett, incredulous but without a trace of irritation or self-pity.

Pratchett knows some people are against assisted dying for religious, moral or practical reasons. "They fear that we may open the floodgates to widespread and uncontrollable killing of the vulnerable," he says. The film then focuses on the stories of people suffering from incurable illnesses who want to choose the time and manner of their death; to have, as Pratchett says, the death they want. A thought-provoking investigation into a serious real-world dilemma.Terry Pratchett: Choosing to Die, Sunday, 9.30pm, SBS One