Hugo Claus died last week. Claus was the author of 'The Sorrow of Belgium' (Het verdriet van België) and is considered the best writer Belgium ever knew. He suffered from Alzheimer's and ended his life by euthanasia, a decision he took in an early stage of his disease. It is not hard to understand that a man who dedicated his life to literature and poetry, cannot bare to live when he's no longer even capable of speaking clearly. Some people say life shouldn't be valued by intellectual capabilties. I fully agree. That being said, I know I wouldn't want to go all the way down Alzheimer's road either. I've seen it. It's not just about not being able to speak or reason. In the end, it's the absence of any clarity in any way. Nothing left but confusion.
