I’m so proud of my mum for so many things. I’m proud that she chose this option of a peaceful, dignified death. If I end up with a terminal illness, I’ll be going the same way, writes Dana Lewis.

Fleur's mum, Claire, chose VAD in 2021 supported by her 100 year old mother, Margaret, who was by her side. Now almost 102, Margaret is frail, deaf, and virtually blind. Having seen the “perfect death” of her daughter, she wants the same for herself.

Suffering intolerably with terminal lung and bowel cancer, 78-year-old Irene Bizon was one of the first Queenslanders to use the state’s voluntary assisted dying law.

In 2021, my husband of 35 years, Stephen, became one of the first people to use Western Australia’s Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) law. I hope sharing our story will help break the stigma that still surrounds VAD – and support other families going through the process.

Victoria's Voluntary Assisted Dying law relieved 28-year-old Alex Blain's biggest fear - dying of cancer. And, to him, that was the same as saving his life. 

69-year-old Larry Riley died “peacefully and without fear” using Victoria’s Voluntary Assisted Dying law. Suffering with end-stage respiratory disease, Larry said accessing the law had been difficult, but he was grateful for the choice. "I want everyone to know what is available to them." 

This is a positive personal story about our family’s experience with Voluntary Assisted Dying in Victoria.

Diagnosed with rapidly progressing motor neurone disease, Kristin's dad Allan drew great comfort from knowing he could access Victoria's voluntary assisted dying laws. 

Keith English died peacefully surrounded by loved ones. He died on his own terms using Victoria's voluntary assisted dying laws and was in control until the end.

In 2006, my mother was diagnosed with acute leukemia. She had been suffering from myeloma (a type of bone marrow cancer) for seven years and knew it could turn malignant, which it did in September of that year. She was given about another five months to live.