The heart-wrenching story of a 52-year-old terminally ill woman from Hunan province in central China, who is so desperate to end her life that she has offered money to others to assist her, has stirred deep sympathy and sparked a fervent conversation about euthanasia on Chinese social media.
Li Xiaozhong was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, in January 2019, according to a report by ThePaper.cn. This rare neurological disease gradually leads to progressive muscle atrophy and respiratory failure, culminating in death for most patients within three to five years of diagnosis.
Presently, Li’s condition confines her to a wheelchair with the ability to move only her eyes. Her daily care and necessities are entirely in the hands of her devoted husband, Shen Shijun, who has been her sole caretaker since October 2020. His duties include hydrating her, aiding in oral hygiene, and feeding her. He uses chopsticks to place food on her teeth during meal times as her tongue has lost mobility. Shen also provides post-meal massages, causing him to develop calluses and joint pain.
Despite his dedication, Shen shared his frustration and distress with ThePaper.cn. He described his wife’s deteriorating condition as having pushed their family to its limits, feeling as if he were imprisoned with her. The severity of Li’s illness has led her to attempt suicide multiple times through various means, including fasting, overdosing on sleeping pills, and even trying to enlist others’ help.
Her latest suicide attempt in May involved paying a friend 34,000 yuan (US$4,700) to assist in her death by suffocation. However, the friend could not follow through, only lightly covering her mouth, which resulted in temporary unconsciousness. The friend expressed his emotional struggle in a WeChat message, stating that he couldn’t bring himself to assist in the act due to their friendly relationship.
Li’s poignant situation has ignited widespread discussions about euthanasia on mainland social media. Some commenters called for the legalization of euthanasia, arguing that it would provide seriously ill patients the option to end their lives with dignity and without burdening their families or society.
Others, while acknowledging the unbearable pain some patients endure, cautioned about the potential dangers of legalizing euthanasia. They voiced concerns about possible misuse where individuals might be forced into it by their families to alleviate their burden. Furthermore, there were concerns that even if legalized, euthanasia could become a luxury unaffordable to many.
In China, where euthanasia remains illegal, families sometimes resort to drastic measures due to the unbearable physical suffering and burden that terminal illnesses place on them. In a 2017 case, a bedridden woman from Zhejiang province, suffering from multiple conditions, committed suicide using rat poison with the assistance of her husband, daughter, and son-in-law. The subsequent legal proceedings resulted in prison sentences and probation for the husband and son-in-law, while the daughter received a suspended sentence.
Li’s story thus amplifies the desperate cries for help and relief from those battling terminal illnesses, prompting a critical reflection on euthanasia and its legal and ethical implications in China and beyond. It underscores the importance of providing necessary support to individuals grappling with suicidal thoughts and to their families.
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