Author Blazes New Path About Terminal Care, Suicide and Euthanasia

Colin Jamieson's "A Good Way to Go" -considering self-determination, mercy and self-termination tackles the difficult subjects of dying, terminal care, suicide and euthanasia, advocating cultural and procedural reform on the mercy and terminal care needed by dying patients. Professionally, the author had worked in the area of bereavement and disaster recovery and was astounded at the ignorance and error in the community on these matters. The book aims to correct this and is written with the general public in mind. He has provided authentic information for a study that provides original thoughts comprehensive enough to provide helpful material, to stimulate discussions, and provide an overview that might facilitate wholesome changes in our society.

Although there already is an acceptance of the need for terminal care and mercy in the community and self-determination for individuals, Jamieson raises new and interesting points. The plea for a more merciful society begins with pastoral help that gives dignity to the dying, a better understanding and acceptance of self-termination, a look at ethics, health services and the law in regard to the subject. Jamieson has been through the emotional struggle with these thoughts during his wife's illness and eventual death-fortunately, he was encouraged by the same wife and folk from the medical profession to write about it. He relates his personal experience to subject to emphasize how the matter is related to pertinent points in law, philosophy and ethics, historical and etymological data, theology, health services, the economy and more that is involved in the debate. Jamieson reviews it from a wider perspective, advocating that the word "suicide" and "euthanasia" or anathemas tagged on to them be dropped from medical establishment procedures with regards to terminal care.

Colin Jamieson starts his book with personal and professional experience. Eventually he goes into as many directions as possible. He filters it through the Western Christian perspective because it is what has brought modern civilisation to this place of confusion and anxiety about death and dying. It is important that people take the bi-cultural and multicultural future very seriously in an ever increasing secular world and he feels it would be audacious to speak on any other culture's behalf. He cautions against unrealistic prejudices, against being deluded or manipulated by advocates while providing some suggestions in sorting it all out. Jamieson is very well grounded on the psychologies involved and emphasises redemptive remedies, whether death or life is chosen. In the end this touches on the meanings and mysteries of life-of care, choice, dignity, respect and responsibility.

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About the Author

Colin Jamieson is trained in art, teaching, and theology, maintaining strong interests in creativity, spirituality, pastoral care, mental health and community development through his professional careers. He has been involved in publishing with two books including his poems, Stations of the Land and Port Hills Poems (both from Chalice Publishers) as well as documentary film-making and a feature film Woman in White, starring Jennifer Barrer. Born in 1935, he trained in fine arts at Nelson College, was primary school teacher, secondary school teacher, Methodist minister, industrial chaplain, adviser/administrator community mental health service, and director for College of Creativity in NZ, Ltd. The author lives in Lyttelton Harbour of the South Island of New Zealand.

A Good Way To Go * by Colin G. Jamieson
Considering Self-Determination, Mercy & Self-Termination
Publication Date: June 25, 2013
Trade Paperback; $34.99; 265 pages; 978-1-4836-4814-9
Trade Hardback; $54.99; 265 pages; 978-1-4836-4815-6
eBook; $3.99; 978-1-4836-4816-3

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