Paralysed and in pain, Spaniard hails euthanasia law as an option
By Oscar Corrons and Emma Pinedo
Reuters
SIMAT DE LA VALLDIGNA, Spain (Reuters) - Paralysed from the neck down after suffering a car crash at 19, Rafael Botella, now 35 and in pain, is relieved that the Spanish parliament is set on Thursday to approve a law to allow euthanasia and assisted suicide.
Botella thought of ending his life when agonizing pain confined him to his bed six years ago. Though he has since changed his mind, he wants the option to do so legally.
Despite opposition from the political right and religious groups, once signed into law, Spain will become the European Union s fourth country to legalise the practice after Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. A similar plan in neighbouring Portugal suffered a setback this week.
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