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Tony Nicklinson's widow in campaign pledge Tony Nicklinson's widow in campaign pledge
(8 days later)
The widow of Tony Nicklinson has said she hopes his campaign for a change in the law on assisted dying will continue in his memory. The locked-in syndrome sufferer, who died last week aged 58, was a keen sportsman until he was paralysed by a stroke in 2005.The widow of Tony Nicklinson has said she hopes his campaign for a change in the law on assisted dying will continue in his memory. The locked-in syndrome sufferer, who died last week aged 58, was a keen sportsman until he was paralysed by a stroke in 2005.
He lost a landmark right-to-die action at the high court this month and died last Wednesday at home in Melksham, Wiltshire, following a rapid deterioration in his health after contracting pneumonia. He had been refusing food in the days leading up to his death.He lost a landmark right-to-die action at the high court this month and died last Wednesday at home in Melksham, Wiltshire, following a rapid deterioration in his health after contracting pneumonia. He had been refusing food in the days leading up to his death.
Jane Nicklinson, who, along with daughters Lauren and Beth, had backed her husband's legal bid, echoed other right-to-die campaigners' calls for Mr Nicklinson's memory to live on through a continued battle to change the law that prevented doctors ending his life.Jane Nicklinson, who, along with daughters Lauren and Beth, had backed her husband's legal bid, echoed other right-to-die campaigners' calls for Mr Nicklinson's memory to live on through a continued battle to change the law that prevented doctors ending his life.
Speaking to the BBC, Mrs Nicklinson said: "This is certainly not the end of the campaign. I do hope that someone takes it up. Even though we didn't win, all the hard work for the case has been done. I hope at some point someone will come forward and carry on with what Tony started.Speaking to the BBC, Mrs Nicklinson said: "This is certainly not the end of the campaign. I do hope that someone takes it up. Even though we didn't win, all the hard work for the case has been done. I hope at some point someone will come forward and carry on with what Tony started.
"I think we always knew the chances of winning at this stage were slim – possible but slim – and we'd never been told anything different so we were prepared for it.""I think we always knew the chances of winning at this stage were slim – possible but slim – and we'd never been told anything different so we were prepared for it."
She said the family knew the result of the high court ruling days before it was made public – something that "knocked him for six". "I think he had raised his hopes so much – probably out of proportion. He said he hadn't been prepared for the emotional side and he was absolutely devastated.She said the family knew the result of the high court ruling days before it was made public – something that "knocked him for six". "I think he had raised his hopes so much – probably out of proportion. He said he hadn't been prepared for the emotional side and he was absolutely devastated.
"I don't think he would have wanted to keep going for too much longer. One of the last things he said to me was, 'I'm already dead – don't mourn for me.'"I don't think he would have wanted to keep going for too much longer. One of the last things he said to me was, 'I'm already dead – don't mourn for me.'
"And it's true – we did. I think, in some respects, seven years ago was harder than this because we did lose the old Tony.""And it's true – we did. I think, in some respects, seven years ago was harder than this because we did lose the old Tony."
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