Assisted dying law
A woman devastated by the loss of her sister is calling for assisted dying to be made legal in Scotland.
Julie Sproat Young has bravely spoken out after sibling, Sadie, travelled to Switzerland to end her own suffering.
The 78-year-old, from Ayr, made her own choice to die after falling ill to a form of Parkinson’s.
Julie, 62, of Prestwick, said: “We know just how important it is to have this law changed.”
A woman devastated by the loss of her sister is calling for assisted dying to be made legal in Scotland.
Julie Sproat Young has bravely spoken out after sibling, Sadie, travelled to Switzerland to end her own suffering.
The 78-year-old, from Ayr, made her own choice to die after falling ill to a form of Parkinson’s.
Her family say it had rendered her little more than a “prisoner in her own body”.
Now they are among those campaigning for a change in the law, with Scottish ministers set to consider bringing Holyrood legislation in line with other countries.
At present, family members who accompany loved ones on the trip to Swiss clinic Dignitas do so at risk of prosecution upon return.
Julie, 62, of Prestwick said: “That is something that definitely has to change in our view.
“Sadie had got to the point where she just knew it was time.
“She went through all sorts of psychological assessments in the months before she made the trip.
“So it was a decision she had taken of very sound mind.”
Sadie — who was accompanied by her two sons on her final journey — had to travel by private jet to Switzerland.
Covid restrictions meant most loved ones had to stay behind while she said goodbye to other family members via Facetime calls.
Julie said: “That was the hardest part of it all...the lack of proper closure.
“My sister shouldn’t have had to do that journey with only her two boys.
“You just wish you could have been there to give her a big cuddle.
“My sister was independent and knew her own mind.
“So from that point of view we were always comfortable in what she was doing.”
The charity Dignity in Dying Scotland favours allowing assisted dying for terminally-ill adults.
And they have been working to support the likes of Julie and her family in raising awareness of cases like Sadie’s.
Julie, whose brother Hugh was a legendary goalkeeper for Ayr United, added: “It’s a subject that people will have very strong views on and I understand that. “And for those that haven’t seen a loved one go through what Sadie did, they maybe won’t understand it as much.
“But having seen it for ourselves, we know just how important it is to have this law changed and allow people in her position to have that choice. “At the end of the day, we don’t have a choice coming into the world but we should have a choice how we leave.”
Ally Thomson (left), director of Dignity in Dying Scotland, is working with the family to highlight cases like theirs.
She said: “This is such a sad story that highlights the absolute injustice the current ban on assisted dying creates for dying Scots and their families.
“That Sadie and her family were forced to secretly arrange a private jet and fly to Switzerland so she could have a peaceful death and an end to her suffering is just unfair and unacceptable.
“Sadie should have had peace of mind, she should have known that she could die peacefully here in Scotland.
“She should not have spent her last few months and weeks of life having to arrange to die overseas.
“Her sons should never have had to make that sad journey home without their mum.
“The grief and loss that her family are experiencing should not be compounded by this other level of trauma.
“Assisted dying is a key issue that the Scottish Parliament must address because it is a real issue facing dying Scots like Sadie every day.”
New Ayr MSP Siobhian Brown is among those supporting the family with their campaign.
She said: “Assisted dying is a very emotive issue which I am sympathetic to.
“My personal belief is when death is inevitable, suffering and pain should not be prolonged if it is a personal choice.
“The Scottish Government did have this debate back in 2015 and at that time, following an open vote, the Scottish Parliament decided not to proceed with this legislation.
“However, the debate, which was considered, sincere and respectfully heard by all involved, helped to focus attention of end-of-life care and the quality of treatment that people deserve as they near death.
“This is something that the Scottish Government will work to ensure remains at the centre of end-of-life care.
“Going forward, we want to ensure that citizens are involved in the major changes affecting their lives.
“The SNP Government was elected on a manifesto with a commitment to annual citizens’ assemblies which will look at some of the more complex issues we face as a country and where topics such as assisted dying will be discussed.”
Family forced to secretly arrange a private jet to Switzerland to end to suffering is unfair and unacceptable