UAE | General

Let me die, former Sharjah rugby player begs UK court

Euthanasia plea in UK court stuns UAE's rugby community as former Sharjah player seeks death by lethal injection

  • By Sharmila Dhal, Senior Reporter
  • Published: 00:00 January 26, 2012
  • XPRESS

Tony Nicklinson
  • Image Credit: Supplied
  • Tony Nicklinson, whose body is completely paralysed, uses an eyeblink computer to communicate with the world.

Dubai: It isn't the best of circumstances to remember Tony Nicklinson, former rugby player and Sharjah resident. But there's an unmistakable sense of nostalgia in the community as the 57-year-old hit international headlines this week after appealing to Britain's High Court to let him die.

A former senior executive with a construction company in the UAE, Nicklinson, 57, suffered a stroke in 2005. Ever since, he has been afflicted with locked-in syndrome, a condition where his entire body is paralysed except for his mind. He lives with his wife Jane and their two daughters in his native Wiltshire, England. But he is completely dependent and needs constant care.

He communicates with an eye-blink computer and has been widely quoted by the British press as saying his life is "dull, miserable, demeaning, undignified and intolerable".

A prisoner in his own body, Nicklinson approached the UK High Court because without help, he cannot administer a lethal medication to end his life. But under British law, anyone who helps him die could be charged with murder, even if it is done with his consent. The murder charge carries a life sentence.

A Ministry of Justice lawyer, however told the court on Tuesday that only Parliament can decide on the request. The case has been adjourned till February 8.

Fond memories

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"What a tragic story," Andrew Cole, Chairman of the Arabian Gulf Rugby Football Union, told XPRESS. "It must have taken a lot of soul-searching for the family to come to the decision."

An active rugby player, Nicklinson was member of the union and chaired the Sharjah Wanderers' Sports Club. "He was widely respected and did a lot for rugby here," said Cole.

Ian Hussey, Chairman of the Sharjah Wanderers' Sports Club, agrees. "He was such an active man. He chaired the club between 2001-2006 and it was under his leadership that the pitches were grassed. He is always remembered for that."

He said Nicklinson had suffered the stroke on a business visit to Athens in Greece. He was in hospital for three months and although he survived, the damage proved heavy.

"I can understand his frustration now," he said, adding that his wife was still in touch with Nicklinson's wife Jane.

A trained nurse, Jane reportedly met Nicklinson on a "blind date" in Dubai.

David Skidmore, former chairman of the Arabian Gulf Rugby Football Union, said, "I have fond memories of an energetic and enthusiastic rugby fanatic who spent most of his time to develop the sport. He was instrumental in paving the way for Sharjah to host the Under-19 Rugby World Championship in 2006."

"Nicklinson was extremely hospitable and always smiling. It is very sad but I know from my heart that this is something he wants," said Skidmore, referring to Nicklinson's ongoing fight to end his life.

Comments (5)

Share your views

  1. Added 11:41 January 26, 2012

    I lost my husband to car accident last month an our parents are missing after his funeral ceremony. All I pray to God even now this very moment while writing this is if only there was a way to communicate with his soul -- leave alone the body. The presence of Nicklinson itself brings about a lot of hope to people around. Taking care of loved ones is never a burden. And when I first read the article about his plea for lethal injection, I was in total agreement to his miserable situation, but after thinking more about him and his family, I would never agree or approve of this decision. Nicklinson still gets to see his family and live with his loved ones. Families like ours have no mode of communication with our loved ones. We grieve to our loss with no hope.

    Anonymous, Mumbai, India

  2. Added 11:25 January 26, 2012

    Thanks for the article, we will all pray for our ex-wanderer!

    Anonymous, sharjah, United Arab Emirates

  3. Added 10:48 January 26, 2012

    A very sad story... I could feel the pain he's going through every moment. God Bless him and his family.

    Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  4. Added 09:11 January 26, 2012

    Don’t give up Tony! Research work in medical science is in full swing. God willing, very soon some cure will be discovered. Life is a gift from the Almighty. God gifts us life and it's only God's right to give and take life.

    Kamran, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  5. Added 06:35 January 26, 2012

    I feel terrible and I don't know how to express what this person must be going through. But I hope he is made to realise that there are other people who want to end their life because of some debilitating conditions, and that he may act as a beacon of hope and inspiration to them. I pray for this man's guidance.

    Anonymous, Toronto , Canada

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