Even if the death of a 23-year-old woman with a miserable terminal illness proves that the new Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2021 is beneficial, one advocate for euthanasia thinks more has to be done.
Lily Thai, from South Australia (SA), peacefully passed away after a lengthy struggle with autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy (AAG), a rare disorder in which the body attacks its own nerve system, which rendered her bedridden and unable to drink or eat without becoming ill.
The Girl's Death Is Meant To Alleviate Worries About the Law
On Wednesday, June 21, Thai died at Laurel Hospice at the Flinders Medical Centre with the help of the state's new assisted dying laws, as reported by the Daily Mail.
Thai's case, says Dr. Philip Nitschke, who is known as "Dr. Death" for his controversial support for euthanasia in the medical field, is meant to ease people's fears about assisted dying and build confidence in the legislation allowing it.
He told The Advertiser, "I note that of the 12 or so who have used the legislation, they had terminal cancer or degenerative neurological diseases and in all these cases it's hard to find anyone who would not approve of the SA law."
According to a doctor who practiced in Adelaide but now resides in the Netherlands, the enactment of such laws has not diminished the desire of the elderly to die with the assistance of the state.
Dr. Nitschke explained that the elderly want autonomy over their death, meaning they do not want to be at the mercy of health officials or state legislation.
Dr. Nitschke added that there has been no change in the widespread belief among the elderly that they should have the last say in such matters and that such matters should not be subject to a cumbersome legislative procedure.
There are precautions in place for voluntarily assisted dying in South Australia, including the need for the patient to make three requests and be evaluated by two doctors.
Lily Thai in Her Last Days
Thai spent her last days in hospice, surrounded by loved ones, where she eventually passed away after receiving a quick-acting IV drug.
She "passed away peacefully," according to a death notice published in the Adelaide Advertiser by her family.
Lily Thai was the child of renowned chefs Le Tu Thai and Kate Sparrow. Le Tu is a Vietnamese immigrant to Australia who established himself as one of Adelaide's finest cooks.
Their daughter's excruciating agony from the very uncommon AAG illness broke their hearts.
Thai's life has been severely compromised by her chronic ailments since she was 17. She was admitted to the Laurel Hospice for palliative care in the weeks leading up to her death.
In her dying days, Thai was unable to leave her bed and was instead comforted by her loved ones from afar.
