Ken Harrison has been so severely injured in a car crash that he is totally paralysed; only his brain functions normally. He is being kept alive by the miracles of medicine, but wishes to die. This he could achieve by discharging himself from hospital but being wholly helpless has to gain the authorities' consent. The play examines the moral and legal aspects of the situation and the reactions of the hospital staff.

The Heinemann Plays series offers contemporary drama and classic plays in durable classroom editions. This play (also a feature film) is about the struggle of the central character, completely paralysed for life, for the right to die.