A 25-year-old woman with a progressive neurodegenerative disease on Monday challenged Canada’s new rules on doctor-assisted dying, saying they should not be restricted to terminally ill patients.
The legislation, which is barely 10 days old, is much less comprehensive than what was originally proposed by a parliamentary special committee that studied the hugely controversial issue.
My biggest fear [is that] if my condition gets much worse I will become trapped
The plaintiff, Julia Lamb, said the law is unconstitutional because it excludes Canadians “who are suffering with no immediate end in sight,” according to a statement.
Lamb, who is backed by the British Columbia Liberties Association, filed her lawsuit with the province’s supreme court.
She suffers from spinal muscular atrophy, which causes weakness and wasting of muscles.
As the disease progresses, she could lose the use of her hands or arms, need a ventilator to help her breathe, and no longer be able to speak, write or use her computer, as well as require constant care while being in constant pain.