LET ME LIVE PLEA

9:27am Thursday 4th March 2004

A POIGNANT plea for the right to live has taken a former Lancaster postman to the highest court in the land.

Suffering a degenerative brain condition, Leslie Burke, 44, is challenging General Medical Council guidelines over the withdrawal of food and water from pa4tients.

The Newton Estate resident, who has already lost use of his legs, told the High Court in London he wanted to be able to die naturally, and with dignity.

Diagnosed 12 years ago with Cerebellar Ataxia, Mr Burke says he will eventually need artificial hydration and nutrition. Physically, his body will seriously deteriorate, while he mind remains mentally alert.

Mr Burke says GMC guidelines, introduced in 2002, which allow doctors to stop artificially feeding patients are unlawful'.

His barrister Richard Gordon QC told Mr Justice Munby that the case was of considerable public importance and interest' and could affect thousands of people like Mr Burke.

Currently, doctors can decide to stop artificially feeding terminally ill patients if they think it is in their best interest.

"Patients like Mr Burke may die when they don't want to die," said Mr Gordon.

A decision is expected from the High Court within two weeks.

In an exclusive interview with the Citizen, Mr Burke said he was prepared to take his case to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg if necessary.

Time is crucial, he explained, as his speech, like his body, would gradually go and he would no longer be able to communicate.

"Doctors around me will be able to discuss whether I should live or die and I will not be able to do a thing about it.

"It takes two or three weeks to die after nutrition is stopped and while doctors play God I will be acutely aware of what is happening every second of every minute of every hour, night and day.

"You are entitled to refuse food and water, but do not to have the choice of carrying on living."

Mr Burke's older brother Robert suffers from the same condition, which is already in an advanced state where he needs round-the-clock assistance.

"I look at him and see exactly where I am going. But I'm positive, not bitter. I love life and don't want it to be cut short, even by a few weeks. I want to carry on enjoying it for as long as I possibly can."

Mr Burke works voluntarily three days a week for Lancaster Disc - the disability information and support centre - enjoys cinema, theatre, visiting pubs and eating out.

"It's not a question of being brave, I just want to get on with life and live it for as long as I possibly can."

He said doctors and the general public had no perception of how good life could be for someone in his situation.

"I hope the guidelines will change so the onus will be on letting people come to the end of their lives naturally."

Editor's Choice