Euthanasia lawyer Dr Philip Nitschke claims death of Lily Thai, 23, shows assisted dying laws work
A euthanasia advocate claims the death of a 23-year-old woman with a painful terminal illness demonstrates the benefits of new voluntary assisted dying laws, but says more needs to be done.
Brave Lily Thai has ‘passed away peacefully’ after a years-long battle with autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy (AAG) – a rare condition in which a person’s body attacks its own nervous system – which left her unable to walk, drink or eat without to be sick.
The South Australian used assisted dying laws, introduced in January this year, on June 21 to end her life surrounded by loved ones at Laurel Hospice at Flinders Medical Centre.
Dr. Philip Nitschke – nicknamed “Dr Death” for his work in the controversial medical field – hopes Lily’s case will “allay people’s concerns about assisted dying” and “strengthen support for the laws.”
South Australian Lily Thai, 23, who suffered from a terminal illness, died after deciding to use assisted dying laws to end her life (pictured)
Doctor Philip Nitschke – nicknamed “Dr Death” for his work in the controversial medical field – hopes Lily’s case will “allay people’s concerns about assisted dying” and “strengthen support for the laws.”
“The SA laws are working as Lily shows and I think most people will be glad that such legislation was there so they could be helped,” he said. The advertiser.
“I note that of the 12 or so who have used the legislation, they had terminal cancer or degenerative neurological disease and in all of these cases it is difficult to find someone who would not pass the SA bill.”
The former Adelaide doctor, who now lives in the Netherlands, believes the laws have not changed the desire of the elderly to end their lives using state legislation.
Dr. Nitschke said older people want to be in control of their own deaths without having to seek approval from health authorities, as provided by state laws.
“I see no reduction in the general feeling among older people that they should be the ones to make the decision, and that this should not be governed by a restrictive legislative process,” said Dr Nitschke.
“Many elderly people will continue to find and occasionally use their own deadly drugs, or plan a final trip to Switzerland, the only place in the world where receiving help is not controlled by the medical profession.”
South Australia has introduced voluntary assistance in dying guarantees, requiring a person to make three requests and be assessed by two doctors before their process can begin.
Since the age of 17, Lily’s debilitating illness had affected her quality of life, leaving her bedridden and unable to move
Lily’s final days were spent surrounded by friends and family in a hospice before dying after doctors administered a fast-acting IV medication.
In an obituary in the Adelaide Advertiser, her family announced that Lily had ‘passed away peacefully’.
“Dearly beloved daughter of Kate and Le,” the message read.
“Beloved granddaughter, niece and nephew.
A dear friend to many.
“You may have disappeared from our sight, but you have never disappeared from our hearts.”
Lily was the daughter of the high-flying culinary couple Le Tu Thai and Kate Sparrow.
Mr Thai is a Vietnamese refugee who became one of Adelaide’s most respected chefs.
He and his partner Kate rose to prominence through their Nediz Tu restaurant before Mr Thai later took over the kitchen at the town’s famous Bridgewater Mill restaurant.
In an obituary, her family announced that young South Australia had passed away “peacefully” last Wednesday, June 21, at Laurel Hospice at Flinders Medical Center.
Paramedic Danika Pederzolli recently took Lily to the beach, with a heartwarming photo showing the pair sitting in the back of an open ambulance enjoying the view of the ocean and some McDonald’s fries
Their daughter had been in “excruciating” pain from the rare autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy (AAG).
Since the age of 17, Lily’s debilitating illnesses had affected her quality of life, leaving her bedridden and unable to move.
She received palliative care at Laurel Hospice in the weeks before her death.
Lily hadn’t been well enough to go out in her last days and would instead stay in her bed while being comforted by her friends and family.
One person who had been by Lily’s side was her close friend and paramedic Danika Pederzolli, 28.
Ms. Pederzolli recently took Lily to the beach, with a heartwarming photo showing the pair in the back of an open ambulance enjoying the view of the ocean and some McDonald’s fries.
Ms. Pederzolli, who met Lily through a St. John’s Ambulance cadet program, said she would remember her good friend as having a “vibrant attitude, positive and warm presence.”
“She’s such a positive and warm presence in your life and (such a) smart person,” she told the publication.
“She was just so happy, and she still is now, she’s no different.”
She described Lily as “sunshine in human form” and wrote her a heartfelt note which she presented to her along with a teddy bear.
Lily also shared a friendship with fellow AAG patient Annaliese Holland, 23.
Lily (right) also shared a friendship with fellow AAG patient Annaliese Hollan (right) with the pair sharing stories about the disease in hopes of spreading awareness
Wanting to raise awareness about the rare disease, the pair shared their stories in hopes it would lead to earlier diagnosis of symptoms in other AAG patients.
Lily said her experience talking about AAG has been incredible, with several people reaching out to show their support.
“A lot of people (who) I haven’t talked to in a long time (reached out), which was absolutely beautiful,” she said.
The drug used to end Lily’s life under new assisted dying laws in South Australia was administered using an IV that left the 23-year-old dead within 10 seconds.