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Kay Henderson's quest to talk about VAD

Kay Henderson, from Coffs Harbour in NSW, wanted to document her path to Voluntary Assisted Dying, and raise awareness along the way. She succeeded in doing that, beyond her wildest expectations. 

March 12, 2025

'Don't leave it too late to apply for VAD'

Terry Hargreaves had expressed his wish for Voluntary Assisted Dying when the time came. But it didn’t happen. His daughter Emma tells his story with the advice: don’t leave it too late.

February 25, 2025

A peaceful death

'We left nothing unsaid'

Voluntary Assisted Dying became available to eligible people in NSW on November 28, 2023. One week later, Gunter Kosmala, who had end-stage Parkinson's, made his first request. He was among the first people to...

December 04, 2024

'She lived fully until she couldn't'

After her 50th birthday, Geelong mother-of-two Sharon Kirwood received a letter offering a free breast screen. She was told the results were “all clear”. The next year she visited her GP after...

November 29, 2024

'It was just us as a family'

Pauline McGrath spoke at Go Gentle’s State of VAD report launch about the assisted death of her husband, Dr David Levitt, in 2023. This is an edited extract of her speech.

August 29, 2024

'She had no regrets'

Heli Brecht was born in Estonia, escaped the Soviet occupation in 1944, then spent four years in a refugee camp in Germany before coming to Australia. She was aware of voluntary assisted...

August 28, 2024

A legacy of love and compassion

Professor Arnold Gillespie was a driving force behind the push for a voluntary assisted dying law in South Australia. When he became terminally ill, he applied for VAD himself. Here, Arnold's wife...

January 24, 2024

A peaceful death

Independent, proud, and dignified

I want everyone to know that this alternative exists for people like Karl - independent, proud people who know what they want. A dignified death at a time and place of their...

December 18, 2023

My father wanted the choice so badly

Katarina watched her father Nebojsa starve himself to death to escape the ravages of Parkinson's disease. She is now leading the fight to pass a voluntary assisted dying law in the ACT....

November 15, 2023

His final days were terrible

A Commonwealth law that discourages the use of telehealth for voluntary assisted dying is having devastating consequences for some dying Australians. Barry Woodbury was one such Australian.

October 25, 2023

A peaceful death

Palliative care and VAD: Our experience

Palliative care doctors and nurses looked after Kay's husband John for months until the pain became too great and he chose an assisted death.

August 10, 2023

He wanted his suffering to end

This is why the ACT must pass a voluntary assisted dying law. "For him it was everything he never wanted – the final indignity and theft of his self-control," writes Lara of...

July 26, 2023

A peaceful death

He was a good and kind man

John was calm as he waited for the drug to take effect. We held hands and I felt calm for him and for me. This is what he had wanted and the...

July 18, 2023

A peaceful death

My way - Laraine Blackson

Laraine Blackson chose voluntary assisted dying in Victoria in 2022. “You must allow the personal privilege of dying with dignity. Where I am at now is not dignified. It is pure pain...

June 19, 2023

A peaceful death

It just felt like she was sleeping

I'm so proud of my mum for choosing voluntary assisted dying. It was a perfect death for her. If I end up with a terminal illness, I’ll be going the same way....

May 11, 2023

Health professionals

The first time I examined my beliefs and provided an assisted death

I was once opposed to assisted dying. Now I believe it is an immense privilege to support someone and their family through this important end of life choice.

May 05, 2023

You know I can’t do this existence anymore

Unable to walk her beloved dog, Katie, and with no independence, all Liz wanted was the choice to die peacefully and without pain.

April 18, 2023

A peaceful death

There could not be a truer love

Fleur describes her mother's assisted death in 2021 as "perfect". Now her 102 year old nanna wants to die with dignity as well. "There could not be a truer love."

April 17, 2023

A peaceful death

'Loving, calm and tranquil'

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. Her daughter, a registered nurse, said the...

March 16, 2023

'I don't want my children to see what I saw with my mum'

Susan Reilly was 27 when she watched her mother Lesley die, aged 54, from breast cancer. Now 47, Susan is also fighting breast cancer. She is angry and devastated that, 20 years on,...

December 19, 2022

Health professionals

‘It’s a new system and there are still some challenges’

Dr Sarah Pickstock, a West Australian palliative care specialist, has supported more than 16 patients through the VAD process. She says its intimacy and impact shouldn’t be underestimated.

December 13, 2022

Health professionals

Why this doctor changed his mind about voluntary assisted dying

Melbourne oncologist Dr Phillip Parente, a one-time conscientious objector, has helped dozens of patients access voluntary assisted dying.

December 13, 2022

Health professionals

'I was a late convert to voluntary assisted dying'

Victorian physician James Hurley says working as a voluntary assisted dying doctor has enabled him to give back to the community in a way that he did not anticipate.

December 13, 2022

A peaceful death

Stephen had a peaceful death

My husband was one of the first people to use Western Australia’s Voluntary Assisted Dying law. I hope sharing our story helps break the stigma that surrounds VAD and supports other families...

December 13, 2022

Nia's story

Friends, my story will take about four minutes to read. I’m asking you to be brave enough to read about what it was like for me, personally, to be with a man...

November 22, 2022

Health professionals

'We've seen gentle, beautiful deaths'

Fiona Jane manages a community hospice in Western Australia’s Great Southern region. She shares her experiences of how the choice of voluntary assisted dying is providing great comfort to those in her...

November 22, 2022

Dying woman's plea to NSW MPs: 'Don't let me suffer'

Diagnosed with terminal ovarian cancer, Siobhan O'Sullivan has a simple message to NSW Upper House MPs: 'Give me the choice not to suffer'.

May 14, 2022

A peaceful death

NSW should have allowed my brother the choice to die with dignity

As a NSW resident, Mark Springer had to travel to Switzerland to die with dignity. His brother David says he is ashamed to live in a state that still refuses to give...

May 13, 2022

The law robbed my mum of the death she wanted

Linda says he mother Margot's lingering decline from multiple sclerosis was a natural disaster, but the agonising nature of her death was entirely man-made.

April 20, 2022

'I can't forgive MPs who vote against assisted dying'

Bertie Daniel was 15 when his father Lawrie, who was suffering with Multiple Sclerosis, took his own life in the absence of a voluntary assisted dying law in NSW. In a letter...

March 24, 2022

He could utter only two words - 'inhumane' and 'help!'

“I implore you to support the voluntary assisted dying legislation so that people in NSW like Tom who are diagnosed with terminal untreatable illnesses do not have to endure the agony and...

March 18, 2022

Watching dad suffer confirmed everything I knew about VAD

When Dad died, writes Susan, I was relieved his suffering was over. Had Voluntary Assisted Dying been legal in NSW, his end of life could have been totally different.

January 31, 2022

We can make our deaths so much better

His brave journey to the end was made even more terrifying, disempowering and traumatising by the existing laws around end of life.

November 24, 2021

‘I’m sorry to go this way’

Dad left behind a note to our mother, expressing his desperation to the end. All he wanted was for someone to help end his suffering so that he could die in peace...

November 09, 2021

She was not treated humanely

Doctors assured Maryanne Platt that palliative care would ease her mother Philomena’s suffering form an enlarged heart and dysphagia, a difficulty swallowing. Instead she died slowly and painfully over 17 days.

November 08, 2021

He begged me to help him take his life

As Ray Philpott's pain levels heightened, the family worked with GPs and palliative care teams on “the never-ending cycle of medication” to try to keep him as pain free as possible. It...

November 08, 2021

There was only pain, there was nothing more to look forward to

My husband died last Saturday. He should have died at Christmas-time because that was what he wished. He had no choice because in NSW there is currently no law to legalise voluntary...

October 26, 2021

It is Venessa's time to have a voice

I am a senior pain specialist in Sydney. I lost my wife three years ago. At the age of 42 and after living with leukaemia for 14 years she was dying and...

October 26, 2021

'Don't make people suffer'

"It was so hard to watch a man who had so much dignity, die without it," Sydney woman Donna Adolfson said of her husband's death from bladder cancer at the age of...

October 15, 2021

What I witnessed should never have been allowed to happen to any human b...

Diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, Amanda's mum Leonie struggled to find the right care in the last months of her life. 

October 15, 2021

I want to decide for myself

Bruce Fox has made peace with death. But he wants the option to avoid a painful end of life experience. “It’s about quality not quantity. In case it’s as unbearable as I...

October 13, 2021

We thought she would pass away quite quickly but she didn't.

Jan Cumner’s mother Dorothy was 80 when she suffered back pain that turned out to be bowel cancer. By time it was diagnosed it was too late. After watching mum die, Jan...

September 22, 2021

The option of VAD would have given him such relief

As Virginia Fewster’s late husband Michael became increasingly ill from cancer, the couple’s adult sons helped with his care, a situation which caused their proud father ‘so much pain, both physical and...

September 13, 2021

'Bring me a gun' - Diary reveals horror of man's final days

Ahead of the Queensland parliament debating Voluntary Assisted Dying legislation, Marie Jansen is sharing her personal diary entries to shine a light on what the end of her husband John's life was...

September 12, 2021

'He asked me if I would smother him.'

As a young man, Jeffrey Russell planned to become a Catholic priest. But as he began his studies in earnest, he grew to realise his views were at odds with many of...

September 12, 2021

If he had the option, he would have asked for an assisted death

Allison Bowman’s father Stephen died seven months after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Allison says a voluntary assisted death would have brought him the control and peace that he wanted in the...

September 10, 2021

I've had people begging me to help them die

Phil Browne was a frontline health professional for 40 years, as a registered nurse, palliative care worker and paramedic. He provided end-of-life care to about 2,000 Queensland patients, witnessing what he calls...

September 10, 2021

Please pass the VAD law so other families don’t have to carry this burden

She said, ‘We don’t let animals suffer like this’ and she begged my eldest brother to shoot her. It devastated the family. We felt like failures, that we couldn't do anything to...

September 06, 2021

'You promised me it wouldn’t be like this.’

My sister Gay suffered the most awful, unimaginable and intolerable pain. Her death was grotesque and a reminder that as a civilised society we have to do better. 

September 06, 2021

‘It should be the right of every individual.’

David Leon Thau was a retired World War II veteran, having served in the Navy.  In about October 1999, he began having breathing difficulties, which doctors put down to low-grade pneumonia. But...

September 03, 2021

It is time to give people choices other than suicide

Lydia, a nurse of more than 30 years, has watched as countless patients have died, in pain and suffering. She has held the hand of the dying, whose loved ones simply weren’t...

September 03, 2021

Vicky's VAD call: 'I will fight with everything I have to see this law p...

Vicky Crichton says she was broken, listening to the pleas of her mother Brenda Bartlem-Ward to ‘help’ her die in the last five months of her life. Vicky has vowed to fight...

September 03, 2021

'It would be a great relief to know VAD is an option'

Damon Spina was 39 when he was delivered the harrowing news that he wouldn't see his next birthday: He had cancer in his brain, which spread to his lungs and lymph nodes....

September 01, 2021

I hated seeing my parents in pain

In her 20s, Michelle lost both her parents within five months of each other. Now living in Brisbane, she hopes her parents' stories will persuade Queensland MPs to vote YES to voluntary assisted...

September 01, 2021

‘Allow me the choice not to suffer’

Terminally ill Logan man John Ancliffe is appealing to Queensland’s politicians ahead of the debate on Voluntary Assisted Dying: “Please don’t sentence me to suffer needlessly against my wishes.”

August 31, 2021

A peaceful death

Assisted dying 'gave Alex his life back'

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

August 24, 2021

'Let me choose a good death'

In March 2015, Gayl Gray was diagnosed with brain cancer. Just nine weeks later, her daughter Kaela watched helplessly as Gayl died, wracked with “excruciating pain that medication couldn’t touch”.

August 23, 2021

'A heartbreakingly beautiful gift'

If there is such a thing as a perfect death, I think she had it thanks to Voluntary Assisted Dying.

August 23, 2021

'Eternally thankful"

Aboriginal woman Mary-Ellen Passmore was one of first people to use Western Australia's voluntary assisted dying law. She told her carers: “It is terrifying being trapped by your own body and it’s...

July 30, 2021

'This Voluntary Assisted Dying bill has to go through, it just has to.'

Kay Lang has watched two close friends die horribly from cancer. "To have seen them go through the struggle of the illness and then die the way they did was just horrible....

July 23, 2021

She suffered and there wasn't a bloody thing we could do

Terry Gladman's best friend and partner of 30 years, Helen, begged him to make her pain from cancer stop - but there wasn’t ‘a single bloody thing’ he could do. He is...

July 21, 2021

I couldn't be more proud of my Mum

My Mum campaigned for voluntary assisted dying for more than 20 years. Little did she know that one day she'd need it herself.

July 21, 2021

I just don't want her to suffer

She wants to be able to go peacefully through Voluntary Assisted Dying, but it’s not legal in Queensland. This is why voluntary assisted dying means a lot to us, to people in...

July 21, 2021

She was all by herself

Rosie Mott died alone when she couldn't bear living any longer with aggressive MS. Her husband was charged with aiding a suicide. Amy, her daughter, says Queensland must pass a voluntary assisted...

July 21, 2021

Keeping Mum alive when she wanted to die was cruel

Keeping Ursula alive was cruel. If she could have taken a couple of pills to end her life when she wanted, she could have gained some control and dignity and we could...

July 15, 2021

No mother should have to sit with her dying child and not have choice

Daniel was dying. The medical profession could have assisted him by providing the care he was asking for but they were constrained by the lack of laws enabling voluntary assisted dying.

July 14, 2021

Thank you for allowing me the choice to die on my own terms

“Like most people, I don't want to die. But I know from a pragmatic point of view that the disease I have could very well kill me. I have limited control over...

July 03, 2021

A mother's plea to South Australia's MPs: 'Step up for the terminally ill'

"We as a state need you to step up for those unable to. People with a terminal illness, facing an uncertain death, who do not have the energy nor the time to...

June 07, 2021

Assisted dying: ‘I wouldn't do this if I could recover - I’m doing it be...

Terminally ill Melbourne man Martin Mahood chose to hasten his death under Victoria's Voluntary Assisted Dying law. “I've given it so much thought.. I would like to die as non-painfully as possible,...

June 03, 2021

'Mentally scarred for the rest of our lives'

The best palliative care in the world would not have stopped Matt Downey's pain and suffering. "Voluntary Assisted Dying is not taking someone's life, it's about giving them choice and freedom in...

June 01, 2021

'I want to go before I'm in nappies'

"I want to go when people remember me as being peaceful and able to say goodbye." While Therese McLean is holding out hope for cancer remission, she wants the option of Voluntary...

May 31, 2021

'This suffering is just plain wrong'

“This suffering is plain wrong," says Ari Levanael of his dad Barry's last weeks of life in palliative care in Sydney. “The laws on Voluntary Assisted Dying need to be changed in...

May 31, 2021

Former nun urges VAD law in SA

A former novice nun, Jane Qualmann has no qualms about rejecting some tenets of her deep Catholic faith. Living with a bowel condition that threatens her life every time she eats, the...

May 17, 2021

A peaceful death

'He died peacefully and without fear'

Larry Riley's daughter says Larry died "peacefully and without fear" using Victoria's Voluntary Assisted Dying law. "Being approved for the assisted dying scheme made Dad’s last week’s full of love and joy...

May 04, 2021

Let me come home to die

'Let me come home to die'. Ceara Rickard's emotional plea to South Australia's politicians ahead of the debate on Voluntary Assisted Dying laws. "I think I will move back to SA, even...

May 04, 2021

'To drink and end the suffering, what a magnificent & merciful solution'

South Australian Julie Barrien wants the option of voluntary assisted dying should her cancer suffering become too great. “Please help me, and so many others like me, to die a peaceful death.”

May 04, 2021

My niece fought for my end of life choice

I now have access to a voluntary assisted dying law, in part thanks to the advocacy of my brave niece Penelope, says Jennifer. Sadly, Penelope did not have this choice herself.

April 19, 2021

I have MND. I know what lies ahead for me

"People describe this as a bastard disease and I wholeheartedly agree. Utterly heartless and wretched, in fact. My greatest hope is that people in New South Wales will see the sense in...

January 13, 2021

At mum’s funeral, I advocated for euthanasia. Not one person criticised me

My mum suffered horrendously. At her funeral, I advocated for euthanasia. Not one person criticised me.

December 10, 2020

I will fight to live as long as I can

I have been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma & Multiple Systems Atrophy. I will fight to live as long as I can. But while I am of sound mind & body I want...

December 09, 2020

I am determined to be a voice for others like me

We who are dying are the people whose voices should be listened to in this discussion. My very existence challenges so many of the misconceptions about voluntary assisted dying. My wish, as...

September 22, 2020

A peaceful death

She died quietly and peacefully with her family around her

This is a positive personal story about our family’s experience with Voluntary Assisted Dying in Victoria. Our mother, Margaret, recently exercised her right to die, on her terms, at the age of...

August 05, 2020

A peaceful death

'It's allowing me to be a better man to the end'

'It's allowing me to be a better man to the end'. Diagnosed with rapidly progressing motor neuron disease, Kristin's dad Alan drew great comfort from knowing he could access Victoria's voluntary assisted...

June 18, 2020

A peaceful death

A peaceful, dignified death

My father died peacefully and with dignity. He died on his own terms and he was in control right up until the end. He was much loved and I want to share...

June 16, 2020

'I do not want to die. I am dying.'

It wasn’t the fear of dying early by suicide that deterred me, but the fear of dying alone and not surrounded by pure love and in the arms of my loved ones....

January 30, 2020

I am furious that others should dictate the way I die

I am absolutely furious that others should dictate the way I die.

January 24, 2020

'Why can’t I just go?'

If there was one thing our Aboriginal culture and traditions hold deeply it is the desire to pass away with dignity on country. This, and my Nana’s empathetic nature forged in years...

January 24, 2020

My family has been decimated

My family has been decimated: Three generations, and more than a dozen people, carrying the c9orf72 gene for Motor Neurone Disease. There has to be a safeguard like voluntary assisted dying for...

January 22, 2020

The McBryde family

Our Mum passed away just before midnight on 31 July, 2019, aged 85 from cancer. They weren’t allowed to administer the drugs they had at hand – surely they wanted to. They...

January 21, 2020

I want to die with dignity, not a slow agonising death.

"My name is Rhonda Taylor. I have metastatic breast cancer. I don't want to die but there is no choice for me. It's going to happen without my approval.  "Please, I beg...

November 19, 2019

The Mermaid

He waited until my mother was out of the home to do it, determined that she would not know his plans. Not because she was opposed to him determining his own death...

November 06, 2019

My dad, Michael

Suffering intolerably and unable to access a voluntary assisted dying law, Michael's father Gary decided to take matters into his own hands. Michael's message to politicians who are holding off on supporting...

November 01, 2019

I have no option but to travel

Janet Cohen says: "I don’t want people to say that I 'lost my battle' with cancer. I want an empowered, meaningful death and to ‘live my death’ as I live my life,...

November 01, 2019

Sandra's story

Diagnosed with MND, Sandra was determined to work through her bucket list before she died. But in the end she did not go gently.

October 31, 2019

My mother, Gail

Louise's mother Gail had a plan to end her life, but she died the day before. It was not the dignified end she wanted.

October 31, 2019

Health professionals

Drs Ian Catto and Mary Collins

Drs Ian Catto and Mary Collins believe that even if one dying person suffers unnecessarily, it is one too many. Terminally ill Western Australians deserve the compassionate choice not to suffer at...

October 31, 2019

Elizabeth Cheung

Elizabeth Cheung’s husband Mike had no choice but to endure a drawn-out, agonising death. It left his family deeply traumatised. "The way that he died was so shocking that I can’t allow...

October 31, 2019

I have ten auto-immune diseases

SB's mother, Peggy - a very proud and fiercely intelligent woman - died without the dignity that had been so important to her in life.

October 29, 2019

My husband, Alan

Beverley knows her husband, Alan, would have opted for VAD if it had been available. He didn’t want to die. But the pain was so bad he would beg her to help...

October 29, 2019

I know my dad felt great pain

"It not true to say that patients do not feel pain when they are undergoing palliative care." Sarah Gaythwaite's father experienced pain that no medication could alleviate.

October 29, 2019

My mum, Mary, and my aunt, Jeanenne

Terry's mother and aunt both died agonising deaths. He wants to know why we allow the suffering of our fellow humans.

October 28, 2019

My father, John

"There will be people who say it’s immoral. I say to hell with that. The obviously haven’t seen someone suffer a painful death."

October 28, 2019

The Cat Lady of Kojonup

Read the story of Dawn's mum, the Cat Lady of Kojonup, a woman who joined the Air Force, yet had a painful, drawn-out death unworthy of any human being.

October 28, 2019

Keith Potger

Australian music icon Keith Potger has thrown his support behind a WA campaign to make voluntary assisted dying legal – and here reveals why.

October 28, 2019

The hospice could not cope

Read the story of Sue Spriggs, who took her dying husband, Michael, to the MND Walk in Perth, at his insistence. It was his last wish. He stopped eating and drinking and...

October 28, 2019

My husband, John

Ailsa's husband, John, had good palliative care for his terminal cancer but still died in great pain and suffering without access to voluntary assisted dying. "I’m pro-choice. It’s your choice if you...

October 28, 2019

Tom Percy, QC

Prominent Western Australian Queens Counsel, Tom Percy, has supported calls for assisted dying laws in the State. Read his story here.

October 28, 2019

Christine Dargie

10% of suicides in WA are by people with a terminal illness. The effect on families is devastating. When a loved one faced with unbearable suffering takes their own life, the effect...

October 17, 2019

Health professionals

Dr Mary Collins and Prof Fiona Stanley

What if you could have a beautiful death? Free from suffering, in control and with your family around you? Prof. Fiona Stanley and Dr Mary Collins believe death should be like a...

October 08, 2019

Health professionals

Dr Ian Catto

Palliative care says it can treat 97% of pain in terminal patients so voluntary assisted dying laws aren’t needed – but what if you are that 3%? Read Dr Ian Catto's story...

October 01, 2019

Health professionals

Peta Nottle, one of Australia's first palliative care nurses

Read the story of Peta Nottle, one of Australia's first palliative care nurses. Peta is also a deeply spiritual Christian who says voluntary assisted dying for the terminally ill does not cause...

October 01, 2019

My husband, Paul

Heather's husband, Paul, coped with grace throughout his terminal illness, but the end was so unpleasant and those days continue to haunt her.

October 01, 2019

Camilla's father

Camilla’s Dad fought his advanced bowel cancer with such gusto he was given 18 months, hoped for five years more and got six. But in that last week he suffered great torment,...

October 01, 2019

Sarah's husband, JD

Sarah's husband, JD, took his own life because there was no law for voluntary assisted suicide. Read their story here.

October 01, 2019

Health professionals

My sister, Peggie

Read the story of Peggie, who died under terminal sedation, an allowable procedure in palliative care, but one that comes with its own risks.

October 01, 2019

Howard Sattler: my story

Howard Sattler stood up for the battlers and took on governments in his long career as the king of Perth talkback radio. Now with less than a year to live he is...

October 01, 2019

My aunt Roslyn, mother Eulalie, father Stanley

Jacqui finds it hard to understand how anyone who has been on this journey could ever be against voluntary assisted dying. Read her story here.

October 01, 2019

Gina, the love of my life

Find out why John believes WA needs laws to allow people to make their own choices when it comes to voluntary assisted dying. Read his story here.

October 01, 2019

My father, Ernest

Read the story of Ernest, Gail's father, a World War II veteran, a very stoic character, who never complained of anything his entire life, until the very end when he was dying...

October 01, 2019

Health professionals

Dr Felicity Haynes' mother Joan

Felicity Haynes is a doctor. She can’t believe that many other doctors can allow suffering to continue when there is no point. Read her story here.

October 01, 2019

Don Paterson: my story

Read the story of Don, doesn't want to get to that point of palliative care of lying there like a zombie. Find out why.

October 01, 2019

My father, Leslie

Read David's lived experience of death without dignity to complement my conviction that voluntary assisted dying was an option for all at the end of life. His father, Leslie, died without dignity.

October 01, 2019

Vanessa's mother, Jen

Vanessa believes there should be a full range of palliative options available, including to leave a broken body when the pain gets too much to bear. Read the story of her mother,...

October 01, 2019

Garry and Jan's story

Garry and Jan Grainger think that if you have never been present at the actual death of a loved-one, you are poorly qualified to express an opinion on the subject of voluntary...

September 29, 2019

Jim and Joy, my parents

Read the story of Jenny Rickerby's parents, Jim and Joy, who both suffered from untreatable cancers and both died in agony because there was no assisted dying law.

September 25, 2019

Marie's husband, Rod

Read the story of Marie, who lost both her husband and her mother to terminal illness. None of them had relief from their pain and suffering.

September 23, 2019

Maretta Bane's brother

Mr brother said, "I need to hurry up and get this over with". After watching our father die after a slow 3-year battle with lung cancer, he said he never ever wanted to...

September 19, 2019

My dad, Franc

Laura's dad did not have a choice to die on his own terms, and even though she knew he desperately didn’t want to die, he couldn't bear to have his family see...

September 18, 2019

Tanya Battel

I have experience as a carer, as a patient and now as someone living with terminal cancer. Please hear my voice and the voice of others actually living this experience.

September 17, 2019

Health professionals

Professor Max Kamien

Professor Max Kamien, one of Australia’s most senior and influential general practitioners in a career that spanned 59 years, says he believes voluntary assisted dying has an important place in the medical...

September 16, 2019

Marjorie and her mother

Marjorie Lawrence doesn't believe that palliative care is the answer for her. She can't see the reason for prolonging pain when there is no hope of recovery. Read her story here.

September 16, 2019

Deborah 's mother

Deborah Raphael hopes that one day we can treat our humans and family with the same end of life dignity that we allow our animals. Read her story here.

September 16, 2019

Harl Hogan, Gabrielle's husband

Harl and Gabrielle Hogan have always believed that the right to die is up to the individual. Read their story here.

September 16, 2019

Margaret's mother

Margaret's mother suffered considerably with no compassion from her doctor or anyone else to listen to her plea for voluntary euthanasia and for what? To stay 'alive' for a few months... read...

September 16, 2019

L.P.'s mother, Joyce

The day my mother was was diagnosed with bowel cancer she rang and told me, and I cried. She said "don't be silly, I have had a good life". Read LP's story...

September 16, 2019

Zelda, Kate's mother

Kate's mother was terrified that if she didn’t commit suicide properly, she would be worse off than she already was. Because of this, she suffered horrifically, until her body gave in. Read...

September 13, 2019

Anne Holland-Atkins

I’m convinced that Mum suffered, she knew she would and no-one knows what went on in her consciousness while waiting to starve to death.

September 13, 2019

Chris Kable's mother

Chris Kable believes in voluntary assisted dying: "Take the time. Legislate properly. Have suitable checks and balances in place. Then maybe no one will have to endure the pain and suffering that...

September 13, 2019

My mum, Betty Swanton

David's mum, Bet, chose not to have voluntary euthanasia. Whatever her choice was, it was her individual choice about her life, and it needs to be respected, as everybody’s choice should be....

September 13, 2019

My husband Andy was my best friend

Iwona's husband, Andy, went through what she calls slow-motion euthanasia. He was left to suffer and slowly die. without any relief. Read their story here.

September 11, 2019

Gerald Charles Briggs

Read the heartbreaking story Gerald Charles Briggs, whose violent death of cancer was worse than anything his daughter could have ever imagined.

September 06, 2019

Health professionals

Dr Alida Lancee

Dr Alida Lancee's story about how she helped a patient die in the absence of a voluntary assisted dying law in Western Australia, was first published in The Damage Done.

September 06, 2019

George, Dinny Laurence's father

Dinny's father committed suicide, dying in the dead of night, alone and afraid, because he had no other way to end his suffering. Read his story.

September 06, 2019

Health professionals

Belinda and her mother, Mareia

Belinda Teh is walking from the steps of Victoria's Parliament to the steps of Western Australia's Parliament. Fine out why, and help support her journey - the way we all should support...

September 06, 2019

A Brave Life, A Merciless End

Peta Quinlivan is still traumatised by the suffering that "monstered" her husband Russell at the end of his life.

September 06, 2019

No doctor or government should sit in judgement

William doesn't think people should be in a situation where some doctor or government sits in judgement on whether they should or should not die at a particular time. Read the story...

September 06, 2019

Rae Young's son Matthew

I live in Victoria, where Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) legislation was implemented in June 2019.

September 06, 2019

Angie's dad Dusty

Suffering and knowing that medical intervention could not prolong his life, my Dad repeatedly asked the palliative medical staff who would visit his house, to end his life. He was always met...

September 06, 2019

Christine's mother, Hazel

Christine Foulkes-Taylor believes everyone should be able to have a peaceful death. Her mother died in distress. Read the story here.

September 06, 2019

Health professionals

Colin's story

Don’t let my kids' last memories of me be of an emaciated, body, gasping for breath and beaten by pain

September 06, 2019

Jan Markby's Uncle Tom

Read the story of Jan's Uncle Tom, who died when she was 12 years old. She remembers him being a mere skeleton with sallow skin stretched over his bones, in so much...

September 06, 2019

Gillian White's mother

Gillian's mother had been a strong opponent of assisted dying all her life until at the end of her life when she was dying of fibrosis of the lungs, Read the story...

September 06, 2019

Margo Beilby's husband, Michael

Margo Beilby's husband, Mike, committed suicide rather than face a drawn out and painful death. She stayed by his side and wouldn't let him die alone. Read her story here.

September 06, 2019

Kerry Enright's mother, Mrytle

The final two months of Kerry Enright's mother's life was spent in agony, her body drowning in its own fluid. Read the story here.

September 06, 2019

Anne Fraser's mother

Read the story of Anne Fraser, who is terrified of suffering an unspeakable death like her mother did.

September 06, 2019

Jenny's husband, John

Read the story of ‘Gentleman John’, whose terminal illness caused his family misery as he waited to die.

September 06, 2019

June, Deborah Allcott's mother

Read about Deborah's mother, who suffered without relief at the end of her life.

September 06, 2019

Michael Watkins, Bill Spanbroek's stepson

Thirteen years ago Bill Spanbroek made an impassioned plea to West Australian and federal politicians to let his terminally ill step son Michael die with dignity, but the plea fell on deaf...

September 06, 2019

Dom Rose's grandmother

Dom Rose's grandmother was a staunch Catholic and wouldn't have chosen VAD at the end of her life, but Dom believes everyone should be free to choose how they die.

September 06, 2019

A peaceful death

Grytsje Doust's mother, Klaske

Grytsje Doust's mother, Klaske, opted for euthanasia: it was a beautiful procedure and it gave my mother such peace of mind.

September 06, 2019

Joanna Church

"I know that if the cancer were to come back, this legislation would give me the option to choose how I die and I think that should be the right of every...

August 31, 2019

Lindsay and Janet, Gillian's parents

Lindsay and Janet, Gillian's parents, should have been able to die by their own hand at the time of their choosing. Instead, they both suffered to the end.

August 30, 2019

John Hammond, a lawyer, represents people who want a peaceful death

John Hammond, a lawyer, represents people who want a peaceful death. His court cases are high profile in WA. Read his story here.

August 30, 2019

Michael, Kate McBarron's brother

"A cruel genetic disease claimed the lives of my Dad and two half-brothers, before causing my dear mum to die also - of a broken heart."

August 30, 2019

Eileen, Kelly's mother

Kelly's mum desperately wanted to live; she had so much to live for. But when it all became too much and the pain was out of control, she was begging to die....

August 30, 2019

My husband, Darren

Kirsten describes motor neurone disease as the worst kind of lottery with no hope of any treatment or a cure. The only thing to make it bearable would be voluntary assisted dying....

August 30, 2019

Leonie's father, Ron

Leonie is not talking about one person’s death, she is talking about a host of families who are left with the responsibility to navigate their way through a flawed health system. Find...

August 30, 2019

Willem van Soest, Marcelle's husband

Marcelle van Soest talks of Willem and how it was a blessing when he died - she was glad because his torture and agony were over.

August 30, 2019

Mica Pereira's family

Mica wants people to understand it’s not a natural death if you have a morphine pump, if you can’t walk, can’t eat, if you’re not going to get better. Read the story...

August 30, 2019

Michael Walker's story

I hope the legal sanctions will be removed in WA to avoid a prolonged, traumatic death

August 30, 2019

My dad, Pat

Read Murray's story of his father, Pat, who did not die a good death. In a caring, compassionate and enlightened society no-one should have to beg for help to end the suffering...

August 30, 2019

Robyn, Narelda 's friend

Narelda Jacobs wants you to know how devastating Motor Neurone Disease is. Find out why.

August 30, 2019

My mother, Tan

Patti lost her mother and sister-in-law to cancer. She believes we should be able to plan death; be able to say goodbye to all the people she loves. She wants everyone to...

August 30, 2019

Reece's cousin, Darren

Reece, an MP in WA, spent a year listening to and reading hundreds of submissions from people who had watched loved ones die horrible deaths which could have been alleviated with the...

August 30, 2019

My mum, Dorothy

Read the story of MP Robin Chapple's mother, and why he wants legislation for voluntary assisted dying in WA.

August 30, 2019

My mother, Valma

Read the story of Clinton Wolf's mother, Valma, to find out why he hopes members of parliament will make the decision on changing the law to approve voluntary assisted dying.

August 30, 2019

TE's palliative nursing experience

As a palliative care nurse, TE is asked to end a patient’s life about twice a year – about 40 people so far. TE has never done so as it is not...

August 30, 2019

A peaceful death

Jacqui and Nicole's mum Kerry

On 9 July 2019, Kerry Robertson, 61, became the first Victorian to be granted a permit for assisted dying under the state’s new Voluntary Assisted Dying law.

August 04, 2019

Health professionals

Nia's story

Uncertainty doesn't agree with me. I like to plan ahead, but there are only some things we can control. I may have five years, ten, or perhaps, twenty years to live.

June 30, 2019

Tim Cooper

I’ve been suffocating for two years. I was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (lung disease that prevents proper breathing) at the age of 57 and I also have cirrhosis of the...

September 30, 2018

Robert Rankin's story

I'm not drunk - I've got MND. And I would rather be dead than tolerate the majority of the scenarios MND sufferers will eventually succumb to. Read Robert's story here.

January 01, 2018

My story, by Peter Williams

You’ll find Peter B. Williams, 64, at the Shamrock Hotel in Echuca, Thursday nights, where he runs the trivia quiz.

October 07, 2017

Health professionals

My story, by Ray Godbold

Before he died on August 13, 2015, Ray Goldbold wrote a letter as a submission to the Inquiry into End of Life Choices in Victoria. Read his story here.

September 25, 2017

Elizabeth Short's family

Elizabeth lost four members of her family to terminal illness. She believes most of us would choose to be able to die holding the hands of our nearest and dearest, comforted by...

September 25, 2017

Brandi's father, Neville Galpin

My dad was a saw-miller all his life, and at the end it was hard to stop him from working seven days a week. He would often leave in the dark and...

September 24, 2017

Heather Goldstein's father

My father was diagnosed with cancer of the lower oesophagus and stomach after collapsing in the street due to anaemia. At that stage, he was already suffering from prostate cancer. 18 years earlier...

September 24, 2017

Samantha Lancey's family

How we can let people suffer when there is something we can do about it

September 24, 2017

My husband, Bill

Grace finds it unimaginable that our society does not allow terminal patients at the end of life to have the choice to end their suffering on their own terms. Read the story...

September 24, 2017

My life partner, Mark

Terri and Mark's story, first published in The Damage Done, a collection of testimonies that describe the suffering across Australia caused by the absence of a law for voluntary assisted dying.

September 24, 2017

Shayne's mum, Jan

Shayne's mum, Jan and her story, first published in The Damage Done, a collection of testimonies that describe the suffering across Australia caused by the absence of a law for voluntary assisted...

September 24, 2017

Kass Hall

I am Kass Hall and I have been been living on borrowed time for 27 years.

September 24, 2017

Sandra's partner, Albert Leonzini

Sandra Morris never felt ready to say goodbye to her partner of over 40 years, but their last moments together will stay with her forever.

September 21, 2017

Colin Wragg, Susan's husband

Susan Wragg doesn't understand how can it be legal to keep someone alive to suffer another day but it is not legal to let them go. Read the story of her husband,...

September 18, 2017

My story, by Lynne Wannan

I want to be able to choose.

September 17, 2017

My story, by Carolyn

Carolyn Forster, 48, is the queen of trivia and crosswords, devoted to her cats and her friends and in love with travel and her work as an instructional designer, in the telecommunications...

September 17, 2017

Ken Woodger, husband of Phyllis, father of Annie

Phyllis Woodger remembers the taxi pulling up outside her Frankston home.

September 17, 2017

Andrew Carswell, Carolyne's husband

Suffering advanced liver cancer, Andrew Carswell was forced to confront the lie that with palliative care, there is a 'ceiling level' to pain and distress. "It might work for some, but not...

September 17, 2017

Beverley Randall, Eleanor's mother

Beverley Randall didn't tell her family when she was diagnosed with lung cancer because she didn't want to worry them.

September 17, 2017

Sarah's father, Alastair

What Sarah's beloved dad – who was the kindest, most caring, full-of-life person she's ever known – went through simply wasn’t fair, and she hopes that no other Australian ever has to...

September 17, 2017

Ian Smith, my dad

On 2 September 2015, after writing a letter each to my brother and me, compiling a list of people and services to contact, and writing a letter to the police, my father...

September 17, 2017

Eileen Keogh, Kelly's mother

Kelly Arnett Somerville's mother Eileen Keogh had talked about voluntary assisted dying from the beginning. She knew she was going to die and she feared her deterioration would rob her of her...

September 17, 2017

Catherine and her partner

Catherine's partner committed suicide. She says "The key point was he did what he wanted and we did it in complete agreement. We were beholden to no-one. And it was right." Read their...

September 17, 2017

Lee Naish's story

I am a man, fifty-seven years old. My life is filled with love and happiness due to my partner, child, other family members, friends, colleagues and my own interests. I am strong...

September 17, 2017

Michelle Flynn's father, Michael, and stepfather, Raymond

"If he knew how he ended up, he would have said give me the drugs and let me go. He was 49 when he died.’’

September 17, 2017

I.S. and her mother-in-law

I.S. didn't care about breaking the law to help her mother-in-law die, but she cared that her children would lose her if she was imprisoned. Read her story here.

September 11, 2017

Guiseppe Coco, Carolee's father

In the end, his worst fear came to pass, and he was admitted into a nursing home when it became too difficult to care for him at home.

September 10, 2017

Jane Morris's mother

“I promise you, you will not suffer at the end.” These words will resonate in my ears forever.

September 10, 2017

Bill Bailey

It says much about Bill Bailey that he joined the British army at seventeen at the start of World War Two, where he served with the tank corps, and was badly wounded...

September 10, 2017

Geoffrey Derrick, Coralie's father

Father loved to do practical things and that included building houses.  At the time fibro was a popular choice for internal and external wall covering. Unfortunately its side effect was asbestosis. My...

September 10, 2017

Michelle, my sister

Read the story of Lyn's sister, first published in The Damage Done, a collection of testimonies that describe the suffering across Australia caused by the absence of a law for voluntary assisted...

September 10, 2017

My mother, Betty Ogle

"Can I have an injection now?" My mother asked her very dedicated G.P. at her bedside

September 10, 2017

Ann Woodger's father

My father was 59 years old when he first experienced symptoms of what would later be diagnosed as motor neurone disease, a disease that cripples the body and leaves intelligence and understanding...

September 04, 2017

Alex Ingwersen, my dad

As a young bloke, my Dad was a talented sports-person. He played football with the Melbourne Football Club and was recruited in the middle of the late 1950s dynasty.

September 03, 2017

John Parker, Pam's father

This story is a celebration of life and love and a testament on how to live while dying. This is my father’s story, a story of how he shared laughter and love...

September 03, 2017

Cherry Tree Grove

Like many older Australians, a group of residents of Cherry Tree Grove retirement village, were keen to have their voice heard. 

September 03, 2017

Justine Martin's story

“Until you've experienced acute terminal pain, I don't think you have the right to say someone can't have access to assisted dying.”

September 03, 2017

Lawrie Daniel

When life hurts more than death, when suffering overtakes living, and without a Voluntary Assisted Dying Law, one Victorian a week takes matters into their own hands. Despite the best palliative care,...

July 10, 2017

Ken Dickson, husband and father

Dad left behind a note expressing his desperation.

February 05, 2017

Elizabeth's dearest friend

Her wish was to die at home and with the best possible support from her husband, daughters and friends and an excellent palliative care team – that is what she did. Read...

February 05, 2017

My sister, Trish

Eileen Ellard misses her sister, Trish, terribly, but cannot be sad she finally achieved the peace she craved, although her death was anything but peaceful. Find out why here.

January 01, 2017

My brave father, Russell

Read the story of Tracey's father, first published in The Damage Done, a collection of testimonies that describe the suffering across Australia caused by the absence of a law for voluntary assisted...

September 25, 2016

Trapped in a body that let him down

Read the story of Rob, one of Nurse K.S.'s first patients, and the horror of his situation, unable to live, unable to die.

September 25, 2016

Ann-Louise's mum

Ann-Louise's mum - a story first published in The Damage Done, a collection of testimonies that describe the suffering across Australia caused by the absence of a law for voluntary assisted dying.

September 18, 2016

Di's father

Read the story of Di's father, first published in The Damage Done, a collection of testimonies that describe the suffering across Australia caused by the absence of a law for voluntary assisted...

September 18, 2016

Leith Richards

Leith Richards's story, first published in The Damage Done, a collection of testimonies that describe the suffering across Australia caused by the absence of a law for voluntary assisted dying.

September 18, 2016

My husband, Wayne

My husband, Wayne - a story first published in The Damage Done, a collection of testimonies that describe the suffering across Australia caused by the absence of a law for voluntary assisted...

September 18, 2016

Deb's final days

Deb's final days - a story first published in The Damage Done, a collection of testimonies that describe the suffering across Australia caused by the absence of a law for voluntary assisted...

September 18, 2016

My mother, Edna Fitzgerald

Read the story of Edna Fitzgerald, first published in The Damage Done, a collection of testimonies that describe the suffering across Australia caused by the absence of a law for voluntary assisted...

September 18, 2016

Juliana's father

Read the story of Juliana's father, first published in The Damage Done, a collection of testimonies that describe the suffering across Australia caused by the absence of a law for voluntary assisted...

September 18, 2016

My dad

Read the story of Mark and his dad, first published in The Damage Done, a collection of testimonies that describe the suffering across Australia caused by the absence of a law for...

September 18, 2016

Meg's dad

Read the story of Meg and her dad, first published in The Damage Done, a collection of testimonies that describe the suffering across Australia caused by the absence of a law for...

September 18, 2016

Michele's father

Read the story of Michele and her father, first published in The Damage Done, a collection of testimonies that describe the suffering across Australia caused by the absence of a law for...

September 18, 2016

John Grayson: my story

Read John Grayson's story, first published in The Damage Done, a collection of testimonies that describe the suffering across Australia caused by the absence of a law for voluntary assisted dying.

September 18, 2016

John's mother

Read the story of John's mother, first published in The Damage Done, a collection of testimonies that describe the suffering across Australia caused by the absence of a law for voluntary assisted...

September 18, 2016

Kit, Judith's mother

My mother, Catherine (Kit) Sanotti, was a fit, healthy, vibrant 73-year-old woman.

September 18, 2016

Gloria, my mum

Read the story of Jo's mum Gloria, first published in The Damage Done, a collection of testimonies that describe the suffering across Australia caused by the absence of a law for voluntary...

September 18, 2016

The law robbed us of a final farewell

First published in The Damage Done, a collection of testimonies describing the suffering caused by the absence of voluntary assisted dying laws, Adrienne's story recounts the death of her husband in NSW:...

September 18, 2016

Dr Westwood's mother

Read the story of Dr Westwood's mother, first published in The Damage Done, a collection of testimonies that describe the suffering across Australia caused by the absence of a law for voluntary...

September 18, 2016

Elvie's story

Elvie Murphy doesn't want to experience the end of life suffering that her father and a close friend endured. She wants the choice to pass in peace and comfort. Find out why.

September 18, 2016

C.W.'s mother

"I was prepared for my mother's death because she was 87, but was not prepared for the horrific manner of her death and I do not want my family to go through...

September 18, 2016

Jo, Rosemary's friend

Jo, Rosemary's friend did not have a peaceful or dignified death. Read why here.

September 12, 2016

For many, it's a living death

Judith James was diagnosed with a rare form of MS 27 years ago. It ended her career as an artist and business woman. As a MS disability advocate in Qld, she has...

September 12, 2016

My friend, Diane

My friend, Diane - a story first published in The Damage Done, a collection of testimonies that describe the suffering across Australia caused by the absence of a law for voluntary assisted...

September 11, 2016

Dr Geoff Trezise

Dr Geoff Trezise - a story first published in The Damage Done, a collection of testimonies that describe the suffering across Australia caused by the absence of a law for voluntary assisted...

September 11, 2016

My mum, Betty

My mum, Betty - a story first published in The Damage Done, a collection of testimonies that describe the suffering across Australia caused by the absence of a law for voluntary assisted...

September 11, 2016

Sue's brother

Read the story of Sue's brother, first published in The Damage Done, a collection of testimonies that describe the suffering across Australia caused by the absence of a law for voluntary assisted...

September 11, 2016

Mum

Read the story of Tracey Spicer's mother, first published in The Damage Done, a collection of testimonies that describe the suffering across Australia caused by the absence of a law for voluntary...

September 11, 2016

Lady Winifred Stephen

Read Lady Winifred Stephen's story, first published in The Damage Done, a collection of testimonies that describe the suffering across Australia caused by the absence of a law for voluntary assisted dying.

September 11, 2016

RIP Dad. Love you always

Read the story of Denise's father, first published in The Damage Done, a collection of testimonies that describe the suffering across Australia caused by the absence of a law for voluntary assisted...

September 11, 2016

Cleona, my first

Read the story of Dr Michael Cameron, first published in The Damage Done, a collection of testimonies that describe the suffering across Australia caused by the absence of a law for voluntary...

September 11, 2016

My mum, Dulcie

Read Sandie's story, first published in The Damage Done, a collection of testimonies that describe the suffering across Australia caused by the absence of a law for voluntary assisted dying.

September 11, 2016

Cory Taylor, my story

Read Cory Taylor's story, first published in The Damage Done, a collection of testimonies that describe the suffering across Australia caused by the absence of a law for voluntary assisted dying.

September 11, 2016

Prof. Ian Maddocks

Read Prof. Ian Maddocks's story, first published in The Damage Done, a collection of testimonies that describe the suffering across Australia caused by the absence of a law for voluntary assisted dying.

September 11, 2016

Alexander and Margaret Maxwell

Alexander Maxwell was convicted of aiding and abetting suicide for helping his terminally ill wife Margaret to die in Victoria. He received a wholly suspended sentence of 18 months imprisonment. This story...

September 11, 2016

Flora's patients

Read Flora's story, first published in The Damage Done, a collection of testimonies that describe the suffering across Australia caused by the absence of a law for voluntary assisted dying.

September 11, 2016

My beloved grandfather

Read Jess's story, first published in The Damage Done, a collection of testimonies that describe the suffering across Australia caused by the absence of a law for voluntary assisted dying.

September 11, 2016

John's partner

John - a story first published in The Damage Done, a collection of testimonies that describe the suffering across Australia caused by the absence of a law for voluntary assisted dying.

September 11, 2016

Miriam's mother, Dorothy

Read the story of Miriam and her mother, first published in The Damage Done, a collection of testimonies that describe the suffering across Australia caused by the absence of a law for...

September 11, 2016

My mother's best friend

Read about Lilly Van Lent, who is 14, and whose story is published in The Damage Done, a collection of testimonies that describe the suffering across Australia caused by the absence of...

September 11, 2016

Loredana's story

Read Loredana's story, first published in The Damage Done, a collection of testimonies that describe the suffering across Australia caused by the absence of a law for voluntary assisted dying.

September 11, 2016

John, Jessie's love

Read the story of Jessie and John, first published in The Damage Done, a collection of testimonies that describe the suffering across Australia caused by the absence of a law for voluntary...

September 11, 2016

Coral's patients

Read the story of Coral's patients, first published in The Damage Done, a collection of testimonies that describe the suffering across Australia caused by the absence of a law for voluntary assisted...

September 11, 2016

Dr Geoff's patient

Read the story of one of Dr Wall's patients, first published in The Damage Done, a collection of testimonies that describe the suffering across Australia caused by the absence of a law...

September 11, 2016

Ann's bestie, Rhoda

Read the story of story of Ann's bestie, Rhoda, first published in The Damage Done, a collection of testimonies that describe the suffering across Australia caused by the absence of a law...

September 11, 2016

Cathy's father

Read the story of Cathy Pryor, who has a conviction for attempted murder because she loved her father enough to help him end his suffering on his own terms.

September 11, 2016

Amanda's father

Read the poem Amanda Collins wrote about her father, his suffering and the lengths he went to to end his pain in the absence of a voluntary assisted dying law in Tasmania.

September 11, 2016

My name is Eileen Emma Dawe

Diagnosed with terminal cancer and facing a lingering death, 90-year-old South Australian Eileen Dawe wrote of her anguish about the lack of choice at the end of her life and her wish...

September 11, 2016

Doctor X's experiences

Read Doctor X's experiences with horrific deaths, first published in The Damage Done, a collection of testimonies that describe the suffering across Australia caused by the absence of a law for voluntary...

September 11, 2016

Coroner John Olle

Read about the five cases of suicide presented to the Victorian Inquiry into End of Life Choices by Coroner John Olle, first published in The Damage Done August 2016

September 11, 2016

My friend, Graham

Read the story of Sandra and her friend Graham, first published in The Damage Done, a collection of testimonies that describe the suffering across Australia caused by the absence of a law...

September 04, 2016

My sister's story

Read Kerri's story, first published in The Damage Done, a collection of testimonies that describe the suffering across Australia caused by the absence of a law for voluntary assisted dying.

September 04, 2016

Lachlan Smith: my story

Lachlan Smith: my story, first published in The Damage Done, a collection of testimonies that describe the suffering across Australia caused by the absence of a law for voluntary assisted dying.

September 04, 2016

Rachel's mum

Read the story of Rachel's mum, first published in The Damage Done, a collection of testimonies that describe the suffering across Australia caused by the absence of a law for voluntary assisted...

September 04, 2016

Bettina's mother

Read the story of Bettina's mother, first published in The Damage Done, a collection of testimonies that describe the suffering across Australia caused by the absence of a law for voluntary assisted...

September 04, 2016

Bill's beliefs

Read about Bill Alcock, whose story on the terror of dying in pain was first published in The Damage Done, a collection of testimonies that describe the suffering across Australia caused by...

September 04, 2016

My father, David

Read the story of Dr JW's family, first published in The Damage Done, a collection of testimonies that describe the suffering across Australia caused by the absence of a law for voluntary...

September 04, 2016