Option now legal this year gets nod from two doctors
Death wish for man ‘going forward’
Valvasori’s wish to end his life has crossed two important hurdles to becoming a reality.
Michael, who is essentially a quadriplegic, has now received the required two medical opinions that support his request to access his right for medical assistance in dying under the federal government’s new Bill C-14.
He hopes to be able to end his life in mid-January, at his home surrounded by family members.
“I’ve been much happier since this appears to be going forward,” Michael stated in an email to The Spectator.
Michael, now 36, suffered a rare type of stroke when he was nine years old that left him with the use of just one finger and thumb. He has long expressed to family members his wish to be able to end his life on his own terms and with dignity.
Michael’s family doctor had turned down his original request for medical assistance in dying in the summer but eventually referred him to another doctor last month.
In a heartfelt and well-reasoned six-page letter he wrote in September, Michael had expressed his frustration that decisions on accessing Bill C-14 were left in the hands of the medical community rather than the courts.
Michael said the doctor who provided the first supporting opinion was “nice and compassionate” and answered all of his questions.
“(He) even had a tear in his eye before he left,” Valvasori stated. “He put his hand on mine and told me I should take this time to do everything I might have ever wanted to do.
“I went away from it realizing that doctors were put in an awkward position and I felt kind of bad.”
Michael received the second supporting opinion from another doctor Thursday evening.
He declined to identify the doctors because he didn’t want to “scare them off,” he stated.
“There’s just a few in Hamilton that’ll do this and might even risk reprimand from in stitutions they’re affiliated with,” he added.
Not surprisingly, Michael’s family members have conflicting emotions now that the process is moving ahead swiftly, said his older sister, Lisa Valvasori.
“Our family feels heartbroken, but at the same time, we are happy for Michael,” said Lisa. “We have been blessed to have Michael in our lives and understand that he deserves to be at peace.
“It is important that his pain and suffering end on his terms with dignity,” she added.
“When we feel extremely sad, we remind ourselves that this is what Michael wanted.”