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How to Die: Simon's Choice

The dramatic and poignant story of one man facing the heartwrenching decision of whether to end his life at a suicide clinic after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease.

Simon is a successful businessman with a loving family and a large circle of friends whose world falls apart when he is diagnosed with an aggressive form of motor neurone disease and given two years to live. Within weeks of the diagnosis, the disease causes Simon to lose the use of his voice. Faced with the prospect of a rapid physical decline, Simon tells his family that he is considering ending his life at a Swiss suicide clinic.

Filmed and directed by award-winning filmmaker Rowan Deacon, and made in partnership with the Open University, this intimate and deeply moving film follows Simon and his family and friends as they grapple with the huge moral, emotional and legal dilemmas around Simon's choice. Their conflicting perspectives unearth difficult questions for Simon which mean that his heartwrenching decision is hanging in the balance until the very end.

Shot against the backdrop of the recent parliamentary debate on the assisted dying bill, Simon's remarkable story explores the complex human questions at the heart of this deeply divisive issue.

2 months left to watch

1 hour, 24 minutes

SignedAudio described

Last on

Wed 2 Apr 202523:30

Credits

RoleContributor
ParticipantSimon Binner
ParticipantDebbie Binner
ParticipantErika Preisig
ParticipantAmmar Al-Chalabi
DirectorRowan Deacon
ProducerRowan Deacon
Executive ProducerColin Barr
Production CompanyMinnow Films
ParticipantThe Open University

Broadcasts

  • Wed 10 Feb 201621:00
  • Fri 18 Mar 201603:45
  • Wed 2 Apr 202523:30

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