article: Gordon Ross, 66, said he hoped the judicial review would clarify the legal position regarding assisted suicide. He has called on the Lord Advocate to issue guidance that makes clear whether any person who helps him end his life would be charged with an offence. Judge Lord Doherty reserved his decision in the action and will give a ruling at a later date. The Director of Public Prosecutions has issued guidelines for England but these do not apply to Scotland. Campaigners opposed to assisted suicide argue that changing the law would be a "catastrophe" in terms of how society confronts illness and disability, as well as "devaluing" suicide prevention efforts. But Mr Ross said he believes that the present legal situation "encourages suicide" and discriminated against people with a disability. While he did not attend the hearing in person due to poor health, supporters of the pensioner's case staged a demonstration outside the court in Edinburgh's Parliament Square. Campaigners have previously urged MSPs to pass the Assisted Suicide Bill which was introduced to Holyrood by the late MSP Margo Macdonald, and which is currently being taken forward by Scottish Green MSP Patrick Harvie. A Holyrood committee recently concluded that the bill contained "significant flaws" and opposed its general principles, but said the full parliament should decide whether or not to throw out the proposed legislation. Mr Ross, a former TV producer lives in a care home in Glasgow, suffers from several serious medical conditions including Parkinson's disease and loss of sensation in his arms and legs. He is unable to walk and uses a wheelchair, and cannot feed or dress himself or attend to his personal needs. Explaining his decision to bring the case, Mr Ross said he fears that, should a time come when he has "had enough", he will not be capable of ending his life without help - unlike an able-bodied person. He said: "I believe that, as a disabled person, I am currently being discriminated against. Anyone else, in any circumstances, can choose to end their own lives at any time. Because of my disability that is something I am unable to do. "I do not wish to end my life, I want it to go on as long as I can. However, if my condition deteriorates to the point that I do want to take that action, I want to know what action the law might take were someone to assist me." Gordon Ross is quite clear: he does not want to die. As a committed nationalist, he says he is looking forward to the Holyrood election in 2016 and possibly a further independence referendum. But he knows he may not see that happening. The 66-year-old grandfather lives in a care home on the south side of Glasgow, where his disabilities mean he requires help for all of his personal needs - including feeding and drinking. He suffers from Parkinson's disease, which gives him violent shaking fits, leaving him weak and exhausted. He also has a condition which has damaged his nervous system, meaning he has no
summary: A severely disabled grandfather has had his case seeking the right to die heard by the Court of Session.