Post by Teddy Bear on May 9, 2009 19:05:31 GMT
Ok, she actually killed herself after watching a drama on the BBC on the euthanasia clinic Dignitas. I just couldn't resist giving the BBC a taste of their own medicine in the way they doctor the headlines to give a false impression 
MS sufferer killed herself after watching BBC drama on suicide firm Dignitas, inquest hears
By Julie Moult
A multiple Sclerosis sufferer killed herself after watching a BBC drama about euthanasia, her family told an inquest.
Angela Harrison died after taking an overdose on the night that A Short Stay in Switzerland was screened.
The play, starring Julie Walters, told the true story of Dr Anne Turner, who suffered a devastating degenerative disease and travelled to the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland to end her life.
Yesterday at the inquest into Miss Harrison's death, her brother Frank said that although she had suffered from depression caused by the battle with the illness, the 44-year-old mother of two had been talking of the future in the days before her death.
'I think what brought it on that night was watching that Julie Walters play on television,' he added.
A Short Stay in Switzerland received critical acclaim after it was aired on BBC1 on January 26 this year. The inquest in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire heard how Miss Harrison - who had suffered from MS for over 15 years - watched the moving drama based on Dr Turner's battle with progressive supranuclear palsy.
In 2006, the GP flew with her children to a Dignitas clinic in Zurich to commit suicide before her condition made it impossible for her to travel unaided.
It is thought that Miss Harrison - who has two sons, 13-year-old Christopher and 11-year- old Alexander - took an overdose of painkillers immediately after viewing the emotional drama.
The former care home worker was discovered unconscious at her home in Eynesbury, Cambridgeshire, and died at nearby Hinchingbrooke Hospital.
Final viewing: The brother of Angela Harrison said watching the BBC drama (above) 'brought on' his sister's suicide
Mr Harrison said his sister had led a fulfilling life before the onset of MS.
He added: 'She fought against being wheelchair-bound. She had decided a long time ago that she would take her own life when the time came.'
After the inquest he said: 'I think that the fact she was watch-ing that play spurred her on to do what she did.
'It could have been six months or even a year later otherwise. Our family have spoken about this at length and we have no doubt it crystallised long-term issues in Angela's mind.
'None of us are upset about the BBC documentary. It was a factor in her suicide but not the cause. We are upset at what Angela did but you have to admire her tenacity.
'It was an indication of her independence.'
He added: 'The boys are quite quiet anyway but when I have seen them they have been quite accepting. I am sure they are more upset than they seem.'
Mr Harrison, a civil servant from the Isle of Man, said his sister texted their mother to apologise for what she had done.
Coroner David Morris recorded a verdict of suicide, saying: 'She took her own life when her experience of a rapidly deteriorating and disabling condition reached an intolerable stage.'
The BBC said last night: 'We are very sorry to hear about this tragic news.
'But we do not feel it is appropriate to comment on what is a private matter, except to state that the programme dealt with an important topic responsibly and with sensitivity, and was prepared with the benefit of appropriate professional advice.'
By Julie Moult
A multiple Sclerosis sufferer killed herself after watching a BBC drama about euthanasia, her family told an inquest.
Angela Harrison died after taking an overdose on the night that A Short Stay in Switzerland was screened.
The play, starring Julie Walters, told the true story of Dr Anne Turner, who suffered a devastating degenerative disease and travelled to the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland to end her life.
Yesterday at the inquest into Miss Harrison's death, her brother Frank said that although she had suffered from depression caused by the battle with the illness, the 44-year-old mother of two had been talking of the future in the days before her death.
'I think what brought it on that night was watching that Julie Walters play on television,' he added.
A Short Stay in Switzerland received critical acclaim after it was aired on BBC1 on January 26 this year. The inquest in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire heard how Miss Harrison - who had suffered from MS for over 15 years - watched the moving drama based on Dr Turner's battle with progressive supranuclear palsy.
In 2006, the GP flew with her children to a Dignitas clinic in Zurich to commit suicide before her condition made it impossible for her to travel unaided.
It is thought that Miss Harrison - who has two sons, 13-year-old Christopher and 11-year- old Alexander - took an overdose of painkillers immediately after viewing the emotional drama.
The former care home worker was discovered unconscious at her home in Eynesbury, Cambridgeshire, and died at nearby Hinchingbrooke Hospital.
Final viewing: The brother of Angela Harrison said watching the BBC drama (above) 'brought on' his sister's suicide
Mr Harrison said his sister had led a fulfilling life before the onset of MS.
He added: 'She fought against being wheelchair-bound. She had decided a long time ago that she would take her own life when the time came.'
After the inquest he said: 'I think that the fact she was watch-ing that play spurred her on to do what she did.
'It could have been six months or even a year later otherwise. Our family have spoken about this at length and we have no doubt it crystallised long-term issues in Angela's mind.
'None of us are upset about the BBC documentary. It was a factor in her suicide but not the cause. We are upset at what Angela did but you have to admire her tenacity.
'It was an indication of her independence.'
He added: 'The boys are quite quiet anyway but when I have seen them they have been quite accepting. I am sure they are more upset than they seem.'
Mr Harrison, a civil servant from the Isle of Man, said his sister texted their mother to apologise for what she had done.
Coroner David Morris recorded a verdict of suicide, saying: 'She took her own life when her experience of a rapidly deteriorating and disabling condition reached an intolerable stage.'
The BBC said last night: 'We are very sorry to hear about this tragic news.
'But we do not feel it is appropriate to comment on what is a private matter, except to state that the programme dealt with an important topic responsibly and with sensitivity, and was prepared with the benefit of appropriate professional advice.'
You should know, they really care.