My friend is the person mentioned in the article as ...
"She has only one child, a daughter aged 40 who lives in rural Taranaki. "
I haven't been able to get hold of her ..she has got her phone on answerphone (understandably) ... and I hope she is OK ...
By RICHARD WOODD richard.woodd@tnl.co.nz - Taranaki Daily News | Saturday, 16 August 2008
Joy's death wish finds sympathy, rekindles debate
Joy Hunter has been besieged with calls after declaring her right to kill herself in Thursday's Taranaki Daily News.
"I didn't really like the exposure and the headline but if I'm connecting with other like-minded people, then I'm pleased to have got the voluntary euthanasia debate rekindled," she says.
All the major radio talkback hosts have called her and on Monday she will be interviewed by TV3.
"I had a woman phone me from Wellington to offer a drug that can be used for suicide and she claims it's untraceable. I've told her I'm prepared to meet her," she says.
"I can do what I like to myself but the law will prosecute anyone who assists me. I'll do what I can to have the law decriminalised, while I'm still able," she says.
Mrs Hunter, 77, is a stalwart of the Eltham Historical Society and in 2005 published Slices From New Zealand History, a history of milling and bread-making.
"How long have I got? I don't know. I have cancer developing, and I have bowel function problems. It's a question of what gets me first: the cancer or another stroke or dementia," she says.
"Despite all that I'm still quite fit and my heart is strong. I'm driving legally again but I've lost my confidence since the stroke."
She has only one child, a daughter aged 40 who lives in rural Taranaki.
"I've told her what I plan to do and she was very upset but it's my choice. I'd never involve her.
"She wanted to build a granny flat or extra room for me, but it wouldn't be the same as Eltham, so I'm staying here in the Masonic flats."
When she does pass on, naturally or from her own actions, Mrs Hunter wants a simple cremation, and no big fuss, but says her daughter vows she will organise a wake in her honour.
"My ashes can be buried under an oak tree at her place that was grown from a seed of the Pitcaithly Oak in Thames.
"That grew from an acorn planted by in 1864 by my Scottish great-great-grandmother."
Mrs Hunter said she incorrectly named a veterinary euthanasia drug in Thursday's story as Benulate, when it should have been Nembutal.
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