No Swiss trip for MS sufferer yet
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MS sufferer Colin Campbell has confirmed he will not be travelling to Switzerland to end his own life this week.
Mr Campbell (56), who lives in Queensgate, Inverness, spoke out earlier this year, saying he planned to travel to the Lifecircle Clinic in Basle to take his own life.
The former IT consultant said he could not face living with multiple sclerosis (MS) any more, or face the inevitable decline in his condition.
He had been due to fly out on Monday, with plans to end his life on Thursday, June 15.
His decision to put those plans on hold was due mostly to fellow MS sufferer Rona Tynan, also from Inverness, who after hearing his story, was determined to convince him there were other options.
"It is totally down to her that I have decided not to got to Switzerland for now," said Mr Campbell.
"I still very much believe people should have the right to take their own life through assisted suicide if that is the decision they feel is right for them, but Rona has convinced me there are other options I need to look into before taking that step."
The pair are now looking into stem cell therapy as an option, though there are questions still to answer about exactly which form of treatment is best and how it would be funded. The average cost of a course of treatment is around £50,000.
Mr Campbell said: "It’s by no means signed and sorted but it’s good to have something to work towards."