Abstract
Through this documentary filmed in the Netherlands (in Dutch with English subtitles) we are permitted to come to know Antoinette and Cees de Joode and their doctor Dr. Van Oijen, a family practitioner, as they discuss Cees' decision that he would like Dr. Van Oijen to assist in his death when the symptoms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) become too great for him to bear. He suffers from increasing paralysis in his legs, one side of his upper body, and in his tongue and lips. Cees communicates using a personal computer. Segments share reflections from his journal. This film follows Dr. Van Oijen's visits to the de Joode home, the visit of the second practitioner, office visits with Antoinette de Joode, and the final injection of drugs on March 3. Cees chose his birthday as the day to end his life with his doctor and his wife present. The care taken by Dr. Van Oijen to ensure that the patient's request for assisted death remains voluntary and the doctor's caring relationship with the de Joodes are very evident. Dr. Van oijen says that he feels he must help his patient, but that carrying out a request for physician assisted suicide (as he does 3-4 times per year) "leaves its [heavy] mark on my whole life." The documentary won the Silver Apple in the 1997 National Educational Media Network Competition, the Freddie Award in the 1996 International Health & Medical Films Competition, and was the Grand Prize Winner in the 1995 Banff Television Festival.
