This morning, the news broke. Susan Griffiths has died a peaceful death.
Susan was an active Winnipeg senior, very lively and sociable, but she was diagnosed with Multiple Systems Atrophy recently, and it's virtually a sentence for a very slow, agonizing death. There's no cure, and no hope even of remission.
Susan would have just been another unfortunate story amongst her friends and family if she hadn't made the heartbreaking decision to leave her home before she wanted to and fly to Zurich in order to seek a legal assisted suicide. As she was leaving Canada, she spoke with the media, and suddenly this articulate, warm woman became the face of injustice in Canada. She would have preferred to die at home at a later time, when she felt that she was at her end, but she had to fly more than 7000 km while she could still travel, spend an extraordinary amount of money, and seek assistance in ending her life in a pain-free, dignified way while she was still able enough.
It's so barbaric to think of. And this government remains steadfast in the face of legal losses and a growing majority public opinion that it's time to change the laws and allow able-minded individuals the right to choose a dignified death: this obstinate government will not do it.
Please, if you believe that an individual should have the right to choose, contact your MP and urge them to make the right decision to support changing the law.
The right to a dignified death in Canada...
...Wish you were here.
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