People are not eligible for assisted dying under the act if the only reason they give is that they are suffering from a mental disorder or mental illness have a disability of any kind or because of their advanced age. Those in support of assisted dying say it is a person's right to choose when and how they die, and euthanasia affords them the right to die with dignity. Those opposed say euthanasia weakens society’s respect for the value and importance of human life and can lead to worse care for the vulnerable, including those with disabilities and the terminally ill. I’m certainly living it that way now”.Įven with a majority vote, assisted dying remains an emotive and polarising issue. It is “life-changing in terms of how you live your last few years. “As sad a time as it is, is so much easier with that choice,” he said. He is seven years in, and recent test results show treatment is holding the disease at bay. “I live so much better day-to-day since the result, because I know it is all taken care of.”Īrmstrong said it was unusual for younger people to live a decade after a terminal prostate cancer diagnosis.

The End of Life Choice Act comes into force on November 7, enabling eligible terminally ill Kiwis to access assisted dying if they choose.

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