"Good Life-Good Death"

Good Life, Good Death

I need your immediate help. I am 45-years old and have been suffering from progressive Multiple Sclerosis for over two decades with rapid progression in the past 5 years. I need to raise another $6000 to allow me to die with dignity in Switzerland before my illness inhibits my ability to make this journey. I am part of an international epidemic of people with incurable degenerative diseases who are not allowed to die in their own country, or in the comfort of their own home or beds due to the "six month clause" in the MAiD laws.

My illness is life ending and rapidly degenerative. I have been struggling with MS since my late teens. Today, I suffer from major spinal cord and brain stem degeneration with spinal lesions from C2 to T11 which cause regular seizures, paralysis, respiratory and pulmonary weakness, intermittent blindness, slurring of speech, body locks, tremors, and electric shock-like pains all over my body. I live in intractable pain and cannot move very well.

In 2012, I had to stop working at NBC-Comcast, and now live with a caregiver in Taos, New Mexico. My day-to-day functions are limited with additional rotating caregivers. There is no cure for Progressive forms of MS. Palliative Care is ineffective.

Voluntary-Assisted Death (VAD)

Despite our efforts to reform the original Death with Dignity Act recently with Senator Blake Spear in 2024, we are still stuck with the original Oregon model. The laws in the United States currently do not support my population: People living with neurodegenerative illnesses. This is because by the time someone with someone with these conditions is hospice-eligible, they are no longer to self-administer, or communicate their wishes, or possibly even swallow on their own.

As the laws are currently written, I am forced to seek compassionate dying in another country. The European High Court of Human Rights, considers VAD a human right for people with these diseases as opposed to a "medical privilege" for the few (as in the US) if you can beg a doctor to certify you are hospice eligible and "sick" enough. These compassionate organizations in Switzerland (Dignitas, Life Circle, Pegasos, and Exit) help foreigners from all over the world die with dignity...where often in their own country all dignity has been stripped. I realize I have no other choice but to fly abroad or be forced to stop eating and drinking to access hospice in the United States.

How Your Donation Will Help

Your funds will help me to pay for all the fees associated with getting me to Switzerland to receive VAD. So far, $7,710 of $15,000 has been raised. My goal is to raise the remaining funds in the next several weeks so that I can make this journey. Due to daily spinal degeneration, I will not be able to make the 15-hour international flight for much longer.

Your contribution will help me to pay for:

- A one-way business class international ticket for myself that reclines as I can no longer hold myself up in economy for this duration

- A roundtrip economy ticket for a care giver to assist me in making the journey

- An AirBNB in conjunction with Pegasos Swiss Foundation where I can get acclimated, prepared and comfortable to make my transition.

- Weekly caregiver visits, as well as documentation preparations, including signing legal papers and giving video affirmation

- Cost of VAD with Pegasos Swiss Foundation in BaselOur latest attempt to reform CA law

My Spiritual Belief

Whatever your religious orientation, I believe God is merciful and that the soul survives this body. Euthanasia is about love and compassion and setting our loved ones free. I am clear and with justification: I ask for your compassionate support in helping me to achieve the ultimate freedom. Thank you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gklfGgrkIDk&t=217s