How to Die: Simon’s Choice, BBC Two’s one-off documentary, depicted the poignant story of Simon Binner.
Diagnosed with the incurable motor neurone disease, he faced the unimaginable decision of whether to end his life at a suicide clinic .
A moving and intimate tale, shot against the back-drop of the recent parliamentary debate on assisted suicide, it featured powerful arguments about both sides of the debate.
Simon Binner, subject of BBC Two’s Simon’s Choice (Graham Smith/BBC/Minnow Films)
Simon’s wife Debbie received a great deal of sympathy and praise on Twitter – having already lost a daughter to a rare bone cancer, she also had to face up to losing her husband.
A bright, articulate man with a love of life, it’s little wonder the programme affected so many viewers.
Debbie Binner from BBC Two’s Simon’s Choice (Graham Smith/BBC/Minnow Films)
In the end, he went through with the assisted suicide in a Swiss clinic and died in October 2015.
Tears
@jojomoyes I'm sitting here just sobbing #simonschoice
— Clare Balding (@clarebalding) February 10, 2016
Teetering on the edge of tears watching #simonschoice on BBC2. My gosh. So hard. So. So. Hard.
— Charlene White (@CharleneWhite) February 10, 2016
Bawling. That note – that simple, beautiful note to his mum "Thankyou for being my mum." Sent me over the edge. #simonschoice 💔😭
— Victoria Todd (@VickiGraceTodd) February 10, 2016
Love for Simon
This gent in #simonschoice seems so full of joy and love, devastating that #MND is taking him down this path #MNDAwareness
— Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) February 10, 2016
#simonschoice
Has a person in his position ever been more articulate? A lesson to all of us— ray bradnock (@raybradnock) February 10, 2016
#simonschoice is heartbreaking. He's so brave. MND is truly devastating! I just hope the law changes regarding assisted dying
— Sarah (@sarbaker12) February 10, 2016
Admiration for Debbie
Simon's wife is so strong it's breaking my heart. When he's gone, she'll be left to live. So so sad. Incredible documentary. #simonschoice
— Michael Underwood (@MikeyUnderwood) February 10, 2016
Feel so incredibly sad for his wife who's already lost her daughter to cancer, now she's going to lose her husband 😢 #simonschoice
— Chelsea Shopland (@micheleshopland) February 10, 2016
Debbie's story is just as heartbreaking. Lost a child now her husband two years later. Such a strong lady, on the surface. #simonschoice
— helen witham (@ladywits) February 10, 2016
My heart is aching for Debbie. Such strength in such a tragic situation. #simonschoice
— Stephen (@stejs9) February 10, 2016
An important message
So many missing point of euthenasia debate. It's not saying everyone sick needs to die, just that CHOICE must be there. #simonschoice
— Knitty42 (@Knitty42) February 10, 2016
Watching #simonschoice. Really important issue. Huge respect to this family
— Karen M (@KarriemacK) February 10, 2016
#simonschoice The title of this programme couldn't have put it better. Compelling viewing and my heart goes out to everyone involved. 😢 #MND
— LIVEitPHOTO (@LIVEitPHOTO) February 10, 2016
#simonschoice I have always been in favour of assisted dying but my god, this really brings the reality of it home. So brave yet so scary.
— ⭐️Jan Harrison❤️ (@DELTA_68) February 10, 2016
A heartbreaking programme
This is so upsetting. Certain elements too close to home. Breaking my heart. #simonschoice
— Eva Simone Roberts (@Eva_Simone_) February 10, 2016
What a heart wrenching and harrowing story. But most of all the love from and for Simon shines through #simonschoice
— . (@charishunn) February 10, 2016
This BBC2 prog, #HowToDie is the most moving, clear-eyed and heart-breaking account of #MND. What an awful condition. #simonschoice #ALS
— James v B (@CausticCorner) February 10, 2016
But some opposition too
Glad UK doesn't allow assisted dying
#simonschoice— Faiza (@faiza333) February 10, 2016
In response to the documentary Sarah Wootton, chief executive of Dignity in Dying, said: “No one can fail to be moved by Simon’s Choice. It showed that Simon and his wife both loved each other and loved life very much but, following his diagnosis with his terminal condition that would eventually rob him of his life, he sought to choose the manner of his death.”
She added: “What Simon’s Choice also demonstrates is that, in Parliament rejecting a safe legal option here in the UK, dying people will continue to take such measures in order to have control at the end of life.”
In the UK, the Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123.
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