My brother-in-law, Robert, was diagnosed with (rigid) Parkinson’s approximately 7 years ago, shortly after his retirement. Predictable, his body gradually shut down. His motor skills visibly diminished. Despite medication, during his last year he had difficulty completing simple, “normal” tasks such as walking, swallowing, talking, holding a train of thought. After two psychosis events in his last six months his mind was waning, to the point where he was warned that he would soon lose his cognitive ability. Yet, he remained as physically active as he could until the very end. He still went to the gym for modified workouts and for daily walks with his neighbor. However, he had already decided that he did not want to die bedridden, unable to feed himself, unable to care for himself. Reluctantly, due to his decreasing mental state, he decided to opt for medical assistance in dying (MAID). He initially set the date for June 1, 2024. When that date approached, he was still feeling somewhat healthy, and his daughter was now engaged to be married. Hoping that he would still be cognitively able to decide later, he re-scheduled it for August 16, 2024, at his home. 

The sad day arrived too soon. That morning, the house was full of well-wishers: neighbours, friends, family. The nurse arrived to confirm that everything which had been prepared the day before was still ready. The two doctors followed shortly thereafter. After their arrival only the immediate family and close friends stayed for the procedure. The sad part is that Robert was very lucid that morning, conversing openly with everyone present. Just before the procedure he said, “Ok, go!” He then sat in his most comfortable armchair, on his porch, overlooking his kayaks & beloved lake. The doctors started the process. There wasn’t a dry eye in the entire house. He lost consciousness, he stopped breathing, his feet wiggled a bit, the blood drained from his face, his complexion became pale, his body became limp. It was over in a few minutes. Robert, 67, was dead. My wife, Robert’s sister, held his hand through it all. 

Robert could have had a few more months of enjoyable life, had he not been forced to elect for MAID before he lost the ability to decide. If he had had the option to choose MAID in advance, he definitely would have, to squeeze more of his shortened life. 

Since October 30, 2024, Quebec allows its residents whose mental state is deteriorating, like Robert’s, to elect MAID in advance. All Canadians should have that option. 

Learn more about advance requests for MAID, and how you can advocate for this change in Canada’s assisted dying legislation.