A QUADRIPLEGIC used chopsticks clenched in his mouth to type out an impassioned death wish, asking Hong Kong lawmakers to legalize euthanasia so he can end what he calls a hopeless life.
Mercy killing is illegal in Hong Kong, but the 34-year-old man who has been paralyzed from the neck down for more than a decade hopes he can help change that.
"I lie in bed 24 hours a day," the man wrote by tapping on a computer keyboard with his chopsticks. "I need other people's help to eat, urinate, clean my body, turn around and sleep. I am a total invalid and a financial and mental burden to my family."
The man, who was not identified by name, said in the letter released Tuesday by legislative officials that he had previously sought help from Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa but only got a muddled response from a health and welfare official.
Lawmakers discussed the man's plight on Monday but gave no indication they would act on legalizing euthanasia.
The man became paralyzed while rehearsing somersaults for a graduation ceremony in 1991.
He can only breathe through a pipe inserted into a hole in his throat, which is connected to a breathing machine that keeps him alive on his hospital bed.
He said the machine alone costs his family more than 10,000 Hong Kong dollars (AU$1,730) a year.
"I want to put an end to this endless waiting, but I can't even kill myself," the man wrote.
Mercy killing is illegal in Hong Kong, but the 34-year-old man who has been paralyzed from the neck down for more than a decade hopes he can help change that.
"I lie in bed 24 hours a day," the man wrote by tapping on a computer keyboard with his chopsticks. "I need other people's help to eat, urinate, clean my body, turn around and sleep. I am a total invalid and a financial and mental burden to my family."
The man, who was not identified by name, said in the letter released Tuesday by legislative officials that he had previously sought help from Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa but only got a muddled response from a health and welfare official.
Lawmakers discussed the man's plight on Monday but gave no indication they would act on legalizing euthanasia.
The man became paralyzed while rehearsing somersaults for a graduation ceremony in 1991.
He can only breathe through a pipe inserted into a hole in his throat, which is connected to a breathing machine that keeps him alive on his hospital bed.
He said the machine alone costs his family more than 10,000 Hong Kong dollars (AU$1,730) a year.
"I want to put an end to this endless waiting, but I can't even kill myself," the man wrote.
