What Happened to Freeda Hayes?
Summary:
Euthanasia, murder or act of God – the true story behind the death of Freeda Hayes.
Freeda Hayes was a suburban antique dealer, Daryl Stephens was a respected urology surgeon – separate worlds, yet their lives were destined to collide. In August 1999, Freeda Hayes was diagnosed with an aggressive form of kidney cancer. She was 47. The hand of fate guided her to Dr Stephens who performed a life-saving operation, giving her five precious months in which to say goodbye to family and friends.The operation also forged a special bond between Freeda and her doctor.
On 4 February 2000, Freeda Hayes died in a hospice following a visit from her brother, her sister – and Daryl Stephens. She had been in intense pain for some weeks, and over the last few days had repeatedly asked to be helped to die. Hospice staff considered her sudden death suspicious and police were notified.
Two months later, Daryl Stephens and Freeda’s brother and sister were arrested and all were charged with wilful murder, a charge carrying a mandatory 15-year prison sentence. Their nightmare had begun. Debate waged about public interest being served by charging a doctor with murder when the evidence was at best circumstantial. Pro- and antieuthanasia lobbyists joined the argument raging over the first trial in Australia of a doctor accused of murder for ‘helping’ a patient to die.
What Happened to Freeda Hayes? is a gripping story that takes the reader to the very heart of the euthanasia debate by examining the devastating effect the tragedy of Freeda’s illness and death had on her family and those who treated her, and the moral and social issues that we must all confront in dealing with a person’s right to determine their own fate.
Taken in Contempt
Summary:
How would you feel if on an ordinary day you returned home from work to discover that your partner had disappeared with your child or children?
On 11 March 1999 the son of Robin Bowles found himself in that exact situation – his own son abducted and taken to France by his French-born mother.To the dismay of Robin and her son, they discovered that theirs was not an isolated incident – over 90 similar cases a year are reported to the Australian authorities.
Taken in Contempt combines Robin’s own story of extraordinary loss and pain with gripping accounts of equally heart-wrenching testimony from other ‘left-behind’ parents. These diverse stories describe the heartbreak and danger and, at times, adventure involved, but they also chronicle the incredible courage and the almost insane risks people take in the name of love. Contributors to this book include left-behind parents, abducting parents and some of the abducted children themselves; as well there are the bureaucrats whose job it is to try to restore families amid tears and tough decisions, and the retrievers – men who work in the grey area between law and justice on behalf of other people’s children.
Fearlessly exploring all aspects of this modern moral dilemma, Taken in Contempt is moving, engrossing and totally compelling.
