This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-25721163
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Frances Medley ended life over multiple sclerosis pain, inquest told | Frances Medley ended life over multiple sclerosis pain, inquest told |
(about 2 hours later) | |
An academic who battled multiple sclerosis for eight years took her own life because she wanted the pain to end, an inquest has heard. | An academic who battled multiple sclerosis for eight years took her own life because she wanted the pain to end, an inquest has heard. |
Former Arts Council of Wales chief Frances Medley, 44, was found dead at her home in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan. | Former Arts Council of Wales chief Frances Medley, 44, was found dead at her home in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan. |
She left instructions for friends to update her blog explaining why she had "decided to call it a day". | She left instructions for friends to update her blog explaining why she had "decided to call it a day". |
The Cardiff inquest heard she took an illegal sedative. A verdict that she ended her own life was recorded. | The Cardiff inquest heard she took an illegal sedative. A verdict that she ended her own life was recorded. |
Ms Medley, who was the former acting chief executive of the arts council, had kept a blog called Victorious Endeavours about her fight against her illness. | Ms Medley, who was the former acting chief executive of the arts council, had kept a blog called Victorious Endeavours about her fight against her illness. |
Her body was found at her home by police in September after neighbours became worried they had not seen her for two days. | Her body was found at her home by police in September after neighbours became worried they had not seen her for two days. |
Ms Medley, 44, explained her reasons for ending her life in the post called "A Sophisticated Sign Off" which was put up after she died. | Ms Medley, 44, explained her reasons for ending her life in the post called "A Sophisticated Sign Off" which was put up after she died. |
In it she said the illness had exhausted her emotionally and physically, and said she found the prospect of further rapid deterioration "terrifying". | In it she said the illness had exhausted her emotionally and physically, and said she found the prospect of further rapid deterioration "terrifying". |
She wrote: "I decided to end my life in a manner and at a time of my choosing. | She wrote: "I decided to end my life in a manner and at a time of my choosing. |
"I am very clear that, whilst the law might say otherwise, I am not committing suicide." | "I am very clear that, whilst the law might say otherwise, I am not committing suicide." |
Ms Medley said that losing her financial and physical independence had been extremely difficult. Without the financial support of her family, she would have had to claim benefits - a prospect she said she found humiliating. | Ms Medley said that losing her financial and physical independence had been extremely difficult. Without the financial support of her family, she would have had to claim benefits - a prospect she said she found humiliating. |
A note Ms Medley left said she had taken a banned sedative bought online. | A note Ms Medley left said she had taken a banned sedative bought online. |
'Remarkable woman' | 'Remarkable woman' |
Coroner Christopher Wooley told the inquest Ms Medley was "obviously a very determined lady" who found the burden of her condition hard to bear. | Coroner Christopher Wooley told the inquest Ms Medley was "obviously a very determined lady" who found the burden of her condition hard to bear. |
"She planned it [her death] meticulously and left letters to say she wanted to end her life - to end the pain at a time and place of her choosing," he added. | "She planned it [her death] meticulously and left letters to say she wanted to end her life - to end the pain at a time and place of her choosing," he added. |
Ms Medley was a leading figure of the Welsh arts scene and was involved in the National Youth Arts Wales Steering Group and the Magdalena Project, which supports women in theatre and the arts. | Ms Medley was a leading figure of the Welsh arts scene and was involved in the National Youth Arts Wales Steering Group and the Magdalena Project, which supports women in theatre and the arts. |
She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2005 and her GP Dr James Martin told the inquest she had suffered a great deal of pain which got too much for her to bear. | She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2005 and her GP Dr James Martin told the inquest she had suffered a great deal of pain which got too much for her to bear. |
Speaking after the hearing, Ms Medley's friend and colleague Gilly Adams described her as a "remarkable woman" who demonstrated great courage and determination. | Speaking after the hearing, Ms Medley's friend and colleague Gilly Adams described her as a "remarkable woman" who demonstrated great courage and determination. |
"She was a very much loved and respected member of the arts community in Wales," she added. |
Previous version
1
Next version