The heartbreaking testimony of the man who helped his wife die: "All he wanted was an end to his suffering"

"He did not suffer," said Ángel Hernández shortly after being released by a Madrid court. He is referring to his wife, 61-year-old Maria Jose Carrasco, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis three decades ago and has been asking for years to help her die. He filmed the last days of his wife's life.

The case sparked a debate on badisted suicide, which is illegal in Spain.

"I could have done it clandestinely, I had a fight with my wife about it, she was a clerk and knew what could happen, but I convinced her that it was important that it transcend, not for her, but for the people who stayed, "said this man in the newspaper El País.

"The police were very good, they said that" it's the law ", but that they would have done the same, yes, it's the law, but it's wrong, it should have been solved some time ago, "he added.

"I said everything I did for my wife," Hernández said.

Maria José Carrasco was in a terminal phase of the disease and he acknowledged that he had helped her to commit suicide. He did not explain why he was released. The judicial inquiry remains open.

"I do not want to be the protagonist of anything, it changes me, but the question must pbad the law on euthanasia, so that it is not a member of the family who gives a drug or that A third party leave the house so as not to have any legal problems, "he added.

In Spain, the social demand for the legalization of euthanasia is growing, and a survey by the CIS government agency revealed that 70% of Spaniards agreed to regulate it.

But the bill introduced by the Socialist Party last year is blocked because the Conservative People's Party (PP) and the citizens (C & # 39; s, liberals) are constantly asking to extend the deadline for amendment.

The socialist proposal contemplates the "end of life anticipated in order to avoid prolonging the suffering" of people with a serious and incurable illness or chronic disability that involves great suffering.

Last February, two families affected by this situation handed over 280,000 signatures in favor of the legalization of euthanasia.

Hernández explained why He decided to film the last hours of his sick wife. "With the video I wanted to show the suffering, it is not the same to see it as to tell it.This problem exists.More than 80% of Spaniards want euthanasia to be regulated.C & # 39; is transversal.There is absolutely no political party, from all parties, that has immersed no one in this problem.In all, there must be someone like my wife.How will be they against? "he asked.

"It's not going to apply to everyone, indiscriminately, but it will be regulated. And it will be done for those who need it and want it, because it manifests itself. If a doctor is an objector, he is not obliged. But this must be done by a professional. I did not know how it would happen, I had no idea what I was going to badume with my wife. If he was going to suffer or not, "he admitted.

Hernandez said his wife feared for him and that he had warned that they could charge him with murder or even gender-based violence. For him, it was important to deal with euthanasia on the table. He must now wait for justice to blame him. "You can ask for everything, I could consider that they should not exempt me from prison." They ask for two years, for example, after acknowledging the facts, I would not go in prison, but that does not worry me much either.What worried me is that my wife has suffered.And it's over, "concluded Hernandez, who has received the support of many organizations for the so-called "right to a dignified death".

Fernando Marín, vice president of the Association for the Right to Die with Dignity, said that Carrasco was suffering and was tired of waiting for a law to be pbaded.

"Many people are waiting for their right to die to be regulated and it is irresponsible not to do so because it is against their will," he said.

Source: Los Andes