Jeremy Paxman has said he thought about signing up for Dignitas (Picture: PA)
Jeremy Paxman has revealed he considered signing up for Dignitas amid his battle with Parkinson’s disease.
The former University Challenge and Newsnight presenter, 73, announced in May 2021 that he had been diagnosed with the brain disorder, which leads to shaking and stiffness, as well as difficulty with walking, balance and coordination.
After heartbreakingly saying the disease ‘makes you wish you hadn’t been born’, Paxman has now said he debated going to Dignitas, the assisted-dying clinic in Switzerland, as his condition has worsened.
In a new interview, he’s said: ‘Yes, I have [thought about it]. But then I saw the Terry Pratchett film [Choosing To Die] and I couldn’t help noticing how scruffy some of the staff were in dirty T-shirts.
‘I’m afraid the lack of personal hygiene rather put me off. I think it’s very hard on those left behind, too.’
Despite deciding against it himself, the TV presenter has supported ‘anyone who makes this choice’ and insisted the laws around assisted dying in the UK need to change.
The University Challenge host announced his Parkinson’s diagnosis in May 2021 (Picture: BBC / ITV Studios / Rachel Joseph)
Paxman marked World Parkinson’s Day by handing in the ‘Parky Charter’ petition to Downing Street, asking for more support for people with the condition. (Picture: Matt Crossick/PA Media Assignments)
He added to Saga Magazine: ‘I don’t judge anyone who makes this choice, and I have a lot of sympathy for it. It is a deeply personal decision, so I do think people have the right to choose for themselves.’
He went on: ‘It’s appalling that we employ all these numpties to sit in the House of Commons and they won’t let us make what ought to be our own decision.’
Reflecting on his day to day outlook with the illness, he described the disease as ‘one of the most depressing things’.
He said: ‘Parkinson’s is, for me, one of the most depressing things you could ever imagine. For many people who are ill there is the prospect of getting better.
‘But Parkinson’s is degenerative, and that’s tough… to know that one will carry on being like this for ever is terrible.
Paxman jokingly added: ‘Though I suppose it is a very good opportunity not to do anything you don’t want to do – I have escaped many household chores!’
He described the disease as ‘one of the most depressing things’ (Picture: Joe Maher/Getty Images)
Parkinson’s Foundation
For help and support, you can contact the Parkinson’s helpline on (800) 4PD-INFO (473-4636) or helpline@parkinson.org.
They also have resources and information on their website.
When speaking about being diagnosed with the disease in May 2021, Paxman shared at the time that he was receiving ‘excellent treatment’ for the brain disorder, which leads to shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with walking, balance and coordination.
His diagnosis came when he was in hospital after collapsing while out with his dog, and he was later told by a doctor that his face had taken on a ‘Parkinson’s mask’.
‘I wasn’t as effusive and exuberant as normal. I had no idea,’ he said months later, calling the diagnosis ‘completely out of the blue’.
Earlier this month, Paxman joined fellow members of the Movers and Shakers podcast – which discusses the challenges of living with the disease – to mark World Parkinson’s Day by presenting the Parky Charter and a petition with tens of thousands of names to Number 10, though he admitted he believes the charter and petition will have ‘no effect whatsoever’ on the Government.
The Leeds-born broadcaster said: ‘I don’t think we’re going to get anywhere. You feel like you’re banging your head against a brick wall.’
Need support?
For emotional support you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.
If you’re a young person, or concerned about a young person, you can also contact PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide UK. Their HOPELINK digital support platform is open 24/7, or you can call 0800 068 4141, text 07860039967 or email: pat@papyrus-uk.org between the hours of 9am and midnight.
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