“I’ve had a good life and I’m not bitter”
Updated 17.50 | Published 17.43
He has been sick for years and is getting worse.
Now Richard Flinck has had enough – and decided to end his life at a death clinic in Switzerland.
– I think I’ve had a good life and I’m not bitter, he says to Aftonbladet.
The actor Thorsten Flinck65, and his twin brother Richard Flinck65, has bared his innermost self for several seasons in the Sigge Eklund’s podcast series “Aterföreningen”. The three are old childhood friends and in the third season, which came in 2024, Richard Flinck told us that he had lung cancer.
After that, his followers on Instagram have been able to follow his long illness journey with long periods in hospital.
“Live a rich life”
On Saturday, Richard Flinck posted a post with the title “Flinck’s death fund”. There he writes, among other things, that he has had a rich life and experienced more than most, but that he has now decided to try to get euthanasia. In the post, he asks for money for active euthanasia in Switzerland.
“However, after four years in hospital, I feel that enough is enough. I have no desire anymore, it’s not fun. Body functions ceasing, breathing hell,” he writes and continues:
“So. Period. My plan is for me and a good friend to go down to Switzerland and finish,” he then asks his followers for money.
When Aftonbladet talks to Richard Flinck, he is collected.
– I have struggled with this for four years and if there is a change, it will go in the wrong direction. I feel that before I lose the initiative and become worse and have to get a good man, then it’s not me who decides anymore.
Too weak for treatment
Flinck tells us that he suffers from pulmonary emphysema, which makes it difficult to breathe, and he has intestinal cancer with unsightly tumors.
– It is possible to operate, but I have been too weak for it. Then they wanted to try chemotherapy, but even that I was found to be too weak for. I myself feel that it is not going in the right direction.
– I think I’ve had a damn good life and had fun and got to experience things so I’m not bitter, not in the least if I’m honest.
According to Flinck, this is not a spur of the moment but something he has been thinking about for a long time.
– Yes, I have. Then I put it out of my mind for a year or so and thought I’d try, but now I feel like I don’t want to be a part of this and I especially don’t want to be a part of getting worse. I am also very afraid of falling into the hands of someone else. Here in Sweden, we don’t even discuss euthanasia, you just have to shut up and live.
Euthanasia is not permitted in Sweden
Active euthanasia means that someone – for example a doctor – intentionally causes a patient’s death at the patient’s request.
Therefore, it is not allowed
The mission of healthcare. Swedish healthcare is based on the fact that care should cure, alleviate and comfort – not actively end life. The government has repeated that active euthanasia and assisted suicide should therefore not be included in care.
Criminal law. If someone deliberately causes the death of another person, the act may be covered by the provisions on murder or manslaughter in the Criminal Code. There is no exception in Swedish law for active euthanasia.
Ethical principles. Swedish authorities and several professional organizations emphasize that the role of healthcare is to protect life, alleviate suffering and protect the patient’s trust in healthcare. Instead, the development of palliative care is emphasized.
Have you landed on the decision?
– Yes, I don’t feel sad either, but just “well, now it went like this” if you know what I mean. I think I have brought my emotional life into it and I feel that I am in a choice situation and then I take advantage of it.
Right now, Richard Flinck lives in a nursing home in Södermalm and notes that money has started to come in via Swish.
– It took off right away, so money has already come in. Then we’ll see if enough comes in. I will earmark this money so if I don’t reach the total, those who donated money will get it back.
You can turn here if you feel unwell
You can turn here if you feel unwell
►·SOS Alarm 112
In emergency situations or thoughts of suicide, always call 112.
►·Mind Suicide Line 90101
Helpline for people with suicidal thoughts. Open around the clock. Telephone number: 90101.
Chat:·chat.mind.se
►·Care guide 1177
Healthcare advice and information about the nearest psychiatric emergency department. Telephone number: 1177
www.1177.se
►·Priest on duty
Telephone number: 112, every day from 21:00 to 06:00
Svenskakyrkan.se/jourhavandeprast
►·Friend on call
Accepts calls from children and young people up to 25 years of age. Chat service weekdays from 18–21, weekends from 14–17.
durhavandekompis.se
►·On-call fellow
Telephone number: 08-702·16·80, every day from 21:00 to 06:00.
►·Bris, Children’s rights in society
Telephone number: 116·111, every day, around the clock.
Adult telephone: 0771-50·50·50, weekdays from 9 am to 12 noon
Chat: Every day, 24 hours a day.
http://www.bris.se/
►·Friends – advice and support for children and young people
Telephone number: 08–545·519·90, weekdays from 9 am to 12 noon
Email: radgivning@friends.se, weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m
Form: weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m
https://friends.se/kunskapsbanken/barn-och-unga/rad-och-stod/
►·Spes – suicide prevention and survivor support
Telephone number: 020-18·18·00, telephone hotline every day 19–22.
spes.se
►Mindler.se
Get help with depression, stress, anxiety and other problems. Mindler’s licensed psychologists speak over 20 different languages. Video calls within 24 hours can be booked in the app.
Mindler.se
►·Pratamera.nu
Get advice, support and treatment from mental health specialists. At Pratamera, you can quickly get help with your well-being through chat, video and therapy programs (CBT) from licensed psychologists and psychotherapists.
The patient fee is SEK 100 per call (free card applies).
Pratamera.nu
►·Suicide zero
Facts and advice about suicide.
https://www.suicidezero.se/fakta-och-rad
