Following the death of 23-year-old Lily Thai, an assisted dying advocate has spoken out and claimed that her story is proof that voluntary assisted dying laws work.
Dr. Philip Nitschke, has spoken to The Advertiser about Thai's story, after the young woman chose to end her life after battling a rare, painful ailment called autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy (AAG).
Highlighting the success and necessity of South Australia's voluntary assisted dying laws, he believes there's more room for progress.
Lily Thai courageously battled AAG, a disorder turning the body against its nervous system. Her struggle led to severe impediments like immobility and frequent sickness. Relying on South Australia's recently introduced assisted dying laws, Lily met her peaceful end at Laurel Hospice, Flinders Medical Centre, amid her loved ones, on June 21, per the Daily Mail.
Dr. Nitschke - also known as 'Dr Death' - hopes Lily's case will quell public apprehensions around assisted dying and bolster support for such laws. He emphasized: "The SA laws are functioning, as evidenced by Lily. It's difficult to find detractors when considering those who used the legislation, mostly terminally ill or suffering from degenerative neurological diseases."
Now based in the Netherlands, the former Adelaide doctor notes the unchanging desire among the elderly to control their life's end through state legislation, without permission from health authorities.
"Elderly continue to express their will to be decision-makers, not limited by restrictive legislation," he said. "Many will persistently seek their own lethal drugs, or plan a final trip to Switzerland, the only place not regulating such assistance medically."
South Australia's safeguards for voluntary assisted dying involve a three-request process and assessment by two doctors before initiation. Lily's final days were in hospice, enveloped by loved ones. Post-administration of a fast-acting IV medication, Lily peacefully departed.
Lily's death announcement read: "Much loved daughter of Kate and Le. Treasured granddaughter, niece, cousin, and friend. Gone from our sight, but never from our hearts." Lily was born to culinary maestros, Le Tu Thai and Kate Sparrow, celebrated for their Nediz Tu restaurant, and later, the Bridgewater Mill.
Lily endured debilitating pain from AAG since the age of 17, significantly impairing her life quality, leaving her bedridden and unable to care for herself.
She received palliative care at Laurel Hospice in her final weeks, spending her last days bed-bound, comforted by her loved ones.
Among her staunch supporters was Danika Pederzolli, 28, a close friend and ambulance officer. Fondly remembering Lily's vibrant, warm presence, Pederzolli even accompanied Thai on a trip to the beach during the last week of her life - sharing an image capturing them enjoying the ocean view and McDonald's fries in an open ambulance.
Lily also befriended fellow AAG sufferer, Annaliese Holland, 23. They shared their stories to raise awareness about AAG, aiming to highlight symptoms so others could be diagnosed earlier. Lily's advocacy resulted in significant support, with people she had lost touch with reaching out - a gesture she found "absolutely beautiful".
Lily's life ended swiftly within 10 seconds, courtesy of the medication administered under South Australia's new assisted dying laws.
Her story continues to fuel conversations around euthanasia, its regulations, and societal implications.
