In summer 2016 I found out that the Canadian Government enacted assisted-dying protocols for eligible citizens: those with incurable and/or intolerable conditions. Social media alerted me to the news initially, and I watched a few video clips from local and national news stations. I also spoke about it with my family. The arrival of the assisted-dying legislation was bittersweet for many of us because a cherished loved-one died in November 2015, after a painful, unnecessarily long battle with Leukemia. Our loved-one didn’t get the option to receive assistance in ending their suffering, and it was difficult to consider how their last days, weeks, months might have been different, if only…. Despite the sadness that accompanied the conversation, it was helpful to talk about the new law with my family. We considered how it would help others who were suffering, and we shared our different perspectives, questions, and concerns.
I’m curious to learn more about eligibility requirements, and who exactly makes the decisions regarding eligibility. I wonder about remaining barriers that exist to ensuring that people who wish to receive assistance can get it. I’d also like to understand the limitations around advance requests, specifically in cases of people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s and other cases of Dementia. End of Life decisions are such personal, nuanced issues. I don’t envy the law-makers, and I hope that with more time and clarity the ideal legislation will emerge.
