Title: Canadian Woman with Debilitating Eating Disorder Seeks Medically Assisted Death
Canadian woman Lisa Pauli, who has been battling a severe eating disorder for decades, has expressed her desire to die, describing her daily life as unbearable. Facing constant internal struggles, Pauli’s condition has made even the simplest tasks a challenge, leading her to contemplate medically assisted death.
Currently, Pauli is not eligible for assisted dying under Canadian law. However, with Canada’s planned expansion of its assisted dying legislation, her hopes may soon be realized. In March 2024, the country intends to include mental illness as an eligible condition for medically assisted death, giving individuals like Pauli the option to pursue this difficult choice.
At a mere weight of 92 pounds, Pauli’s anorexia has plagued her since childhood, prompting a perpetual battle with body image and self-esteem. Despite multiple hospitalizations and various attempts at treatment, her condition has shown no signs of improvement. Psychiatrist Justine Dembo believes that due to Pauli’s extensive history of unsuccessful treatments, she may meet the criteria under the revised law for assisted death eligibility.
While Canada first legalized medically assisted death for terminal illnesses in 2016 and later expanded it to include incurable conditions in 2021, several other countries have already taken steps towards similar legislation. New Zealand, Switzerland, and Australia are among the countries where assisted dying is legal. In the United States, physician-assisted suicide is legal in 10 states, including New Jersey, Vermont, New Mexico, and California.
For Pauli, the option of medically assisted death offers the prospect of ending her lifelong suffering. She firmly believes that she has exhausted all possible treatments and solutions. However, the decision to pursue this path is a deeply personal one, raising ethical and moral questions that continue to spark debate around the world.
As Canada prepares to expand its legislation on assisted dying, individuals like Lisa Pauli are hopeful that they will soon have the choice to end their lives with dignity. For Pauli, it is a decision borne out of desperation and a longing for liberation from her decades-long torment. Whether society is ready to embrace such a profound choice remains a complex and contentious topic.
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