My Nan, a once vibrant woman who radiated strength and love, turned 90 in June 2024. Unaware it was her birthday, her health stands are a stark contrast to the life she once led. Over the past few weeks, she has significantly deteriorated, suspected of various types of cancer, for which a confirming biopsy is impossible due to her fragile health. Memory fading, incontinence, inability to maintain personal hygiene and essential home tasks – these form a part of her new reality. On Saturday July 6th, 2024 my Nan had a stroke, completely immobilising the left side of her body. The following Monday the doctor confirmed the stroke at her home and informed us her time left was limited and that she may have even as little as a week remaining. I know my Nan. I know how proud she is, I know how much she values her dignity. She would not have ever taken her own life, but even on her bad days she would still wish for it all to end. My Nan is nothing if not a fighter and she will fight until the very end, however, her final days will not be that of love, warmth and happiness as they should have been. They will be challenging, painful and undignified. This is not the ending she would have wanted for herself and it certainly isn’t the ending she deserves, however, she is a warrior and like a warrior she will go down fighting.

But many people in my Nan’s situation no longer have the energy to fight and wish for the pain to come to an end. They are proud to say they fought as hard as they could but theirs was a battle that couldn’t be won. Most will want to lay down arms, embrace their family and friends and drift into their forever sleep. My Nan has made the choice to keep fighting, but what about those who have made the choice to stop?

Nothing is more painful than watching a loved one endure such suffering, knowing they would have wanted an alternative - a dignified, peaceful end. Yet, our hands are tied as assisted suicide remains illegal for terminally ill patients. 

It is time to address this legal situation in the United Kingdom. Other countries such as Switzerland have already recognised the rights of terminally ill patients to seek medically assisted suicide, respecting the choice of those who no longer wish to endure the insurmountable pain. But what about the rest of us who lack the right to choose?

As was rightfully raised by a comment on this petition This law will need to be carefully regulated to ensure that assisted suicide is only for those who are ready for their forever sleep and not those who feel they have become a burden. Should this law come into affect it is to solely support the right of the terminally ill individuals who are ready to be put to rest and psych evaluations should be carried out prior to the acceptance of any request for assisted suicide to ensure the reasons are not that of suicidal ideation but rather want for a peaceful, controlled and as painless end as humanly possible.

To honor my Nan’s struggle and the struggles of countless terminally ill individuals worldwide, we urge lawmakers to consider legalising medically assisted suicide. This legislation will not just serve as an act of compassion, but respect individual autonomy, allowing people like my Nan to be able to make the choice of what is best for themselves in their final days, whatever that may be. 

Please sign this petition to advocate for the right of terminally ill patients to choose the manner and time of their passing. Make their voices heard where they cannot speak themselves.

Update: my Nan passed away in her sleep on the night of the 8th July 2024. She shall be sorely missed.