Podcast Episode 52 - The Reality of Voluntary Assisted Dying Regional Areas of Australia and Victoria
Motor neurone disease or MND as it is also known, is a devastating illness.
It attacks the nerve cells that control our muscles, while the mind and personality can remain completely unaffected. As the disease progresses, muscles gradually waste away, eventually affecting a person’s ability to move, swallow and speak.
For someone living with MND, as the disease progresses it usually becomes much more about quality of life and dignity.
In Victoria, voluntary assisted dying or VAD, is available to people who meet a strict set of eligibility requirements. A person must have decision-making capacity and they must also have an incurable, advanced and progressive disease, illness or medical condition that is expected to cause their death. Generally, they must be expected to die within six months. For someone with a neuro-degenerative condition, such as MND, that timeframe extends to 12 months.
But meeting those requirements is only part of the story.
Today, I’m joined by Nicole, who shares the story of her stepfather, Shane, who lived with MND for more than two years before choosing voluntary assisted dying.
Nicole’s experience also highlights something that isn’t as widely understood when we talk about VAD and that is, access to VAD.
Because VAD isn’t just about meeting the legislative requirements. Where you live, what services are available and whether there are healthcare professionals who can support you through the process can all make a difference.
For Shane, living in regional Victoria meant that location, travel requirements and gaps in healthcare services created significant challenges. Nicole talks openly about navigating the VAD approval process, the practical realities of accessing care in a regional area and the very real impact that inadequate end-of-life care and support can have on someone living with a terminal illness.
