Why I cancelled my trip to Dignitas

Nobody understands the attraction of assisted suicide like I do. In 2019, life as I knew it – a busy nurse and mum of four – stopped. Aged 39, I sustained a spinal cord injury and as a result I’m now confined to a wheelchair 24/7. I was forced to retire from the job that I loved. Many patients who register for assisted suicide say they feel they are a burden on their friends and family – and I know exactly what they mean. My husband and kids had to care for me as I once had them. I couldn’t bare it.  

So I did what I thought was selfless. I put money aside for a trip to Dignitas – announcing my plans to my husband shortly after my 40th birthday. 

I felt that I no longer had anything to offer to people. I was also unconvinced that a life full of physical suffering was going to be worthwhile.