Ken Dickson, husband and father
Our beautiful Dad took his own life on Friday 9 October 2015 at the home he shared with mum and Down Syndrome son, Jason. Dad left behind a note expressing his desperation to the end. All he wanted was for someone to help end his suffering so that he could die in peace with dignity which is what he deserved.
"Dear Joan,
Sorry to go this way but until the Govt don't pass the law and find a better way to help with the side effects or the pain manage the effects of the side effects that go with it sorry I have no alternative but to go this way
Love Ken xxx"
Our father/husband Kenneth Stanley Dickson aged 81 was suffering terribly with his third bout of cancer. Although Dad was on a lot of medication there were days when it just wasn’t enough and the side effects of the medications were unbearable. Dad got down to a weight of just 45 kgs. Dad was a true gentleman, loved and respected by everyone who knew him. It hurt Dad’s dignity and pride that his daughters and wife had to shower him and change his soiled pants, but we would do it all again for him tomorrow.
"Dad was a devoted and dedicated Christian. Towards the end he became a strong supporter for euthanasia to be legalised in Australia."
What dad went through, especially in the end, was horrific. He made the heartbreaking decision to take his own life hanging himself in the backyard. Jason, who is Down Syndrome, was the one to find dad and that made the situation even worse, if that was possible. Jason is still saying that dad is coming home soon, he just doesn’t understand.
Family of Ken Dickson: Joan, Julie, Mark, Jo, Christine, Bradley and Jason, February 2017