These photos show a former children’s writer’s final moments before dying at an assisted death clinic in Switzerland.
Intensely emotional images show mother-of-one Dawn Voice-Cooper in bed surrounded by loved ones and giving her friends a final hug before releasing a fatal dose of barbiturates into her bloodstream at the Lifecircle clinic in Basel.
The 76-year old, who had suffered from severe arthritis, multiple brain bleeds, epilepsy, and other issues, enjoyed a last glass of champagne and listened to her favorite song before falling into deep sleep.
Ms Voice-Cooper, a former mental health worker, lived alone in Sevenoaks, Kent. She spent years fighting for the legalization of assisted death in the UK. This is currently punishable with up to 14 years in prison, in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Tomorrow’s second reading of The Assisted Dying Act, which would allow terminally ill adult to legally seek help to end their life, will be held in parliament.
Ms Voice-Cooper spoke to The Mirror and said that her life was ‘endless’, often difficult, and sometimes painful, daily management for several, incurable problems.
Her death comes as campaigners marked World Right to Die Day, and as a YouGov poll found that a majority of back changing the law to enable assisted dying in Britain.
Mother-of-one Dawn Voice-Cooper is seen in bed surrounded by loved ones at the Lifecircle clinic in Basel
Before releasing the fatal dose of barbiturates into their bloodstream, she can be seen giving a final hug to her friends
The 76 year-old, who suffered from severe joint pain, epilepsy, and repeated brain bleeds, enjoyed a final glass champagne before falling asleep.
Ms. Voice-Cooper lies in bed surrounded and surrounded at the Lifecircle clinic, Basel.
Ms Voice-Cooper’s passing comes as campaigners mark World Right to Die Day and as a YouGov poll shows that most people support changing the law to allow assisted dying in Britain.
Baroness Meacher has proposed an assisted dying law, but it will only be available to those who have less than six months left.
It was passed in the Lords’ second reading last week, allowing it to move on to the Committee stage for only the seventh time in seven years.
Ms Voice Cooper said that the proposals were too restrictive. She called for an evidence-based Parliamentary inquiry about assisted dying. The hope is that this will eventually lead to a Canadian-style model in which those with severe and irremediable conditions can apply to die.
Critics of assisted dying fear that legalisation could make it more difficult for elderly and disabled people to end their lives, rather than making them a burden.
Ms Voice Cooper hoped that she could demonstrate the safeguards in the system to stop abuse, including a requirement that she submit her medical records, explain why she wants to die, and prove that she is mentally competent.
She was examined by two doctors in Switzerland and then taken to Lifecircle, where two people die each week.
Ms Voice-Cooper requested an assisted death two year ago after having first considered her options in 2017, when her quality of living began to decline.
Patients are given a lethal combination of drugs at the Dignitas clinic. However, Lifecircle staff have set up an IV drip that patients can operate by themselves.
Ms Voice-Cooper stated that she had to die young because she was still able to travel and not continue to live a full life.
Former mental health worker claimed that those who claim she looks fine don’t get the ‘difficulties of her daily life.
Her friend Alex Pandolfo, who has early onset Alzheimer’s and also intends to die at Lifecircle before he deteriorates, will now continue her battle to ask for an ‘evidenced based parliamentary inquiry into humane voluntary assisted dying in the UK’.
Ms Voice Cooper spent her final moments with her friends and fellow campaigners Miranda Tuckett. Her bed was placed in front a window that allowed her to see out at the trees.
Dr Erika Preisig, president of Lifecircle, asked Ms Voice Cooper four final questions.
Ms Voice-Cooper was listening to Nick Drake’s Day is Done as she allowed IV drugs into her bloodstream.
After a police investigation, which is done after every assisted death in the clinic has been completed, her body will then be cremated and her ashes scattered.
Up to one Briton a week is believed to travel to Switzerland to end their life, with the journey usually costing around £10,000. Any family members who help are at risk of being prosecuted in the UK.
According to a YouGov poll the number of MPs who support the right for terminally ill patients with less than six months left to live to receive help ending their lives has increased from 35% to 58%.
A controversial finding is that 45 percent of MPs surveyed believe the law should be expanded to include people with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.
Ms Voice Cooper wanted an evidence-based Parliamentary investigation into assisted dying. She hoped to eventually build a Canadian-style model where people with an irremediable, grievous condition can apply for die.
Ms. Voice Cooper applied for assisted death two years back, after first looking at her options in 2017, when she began to experience a decline in her quality life.
Ms Voice-Cooper spoke to The Mirror and said that her life was ‘endless’, often difficult and sometimes painful. She also had to manage several incurable issues daily.
Only 16% of MPs indicated that they would support a law to allow for the treatment of those suffering from incurable diseases. The reason for this dramatic shift in sentiment can been traced back to the last election with 140 MPs elected.
There were 312 people under 50 years of age, and the average age of the Commons is now 52.
Younger MPs favor an overhaul of the right-to-die legislation. 86% support assisted dying for people with less than six months to live and 69% want similar rights for people with Alzheimer’s.
Red Wall seats Tory MPs also have strong support.
Current law allows for up to 14 year imprisonment for anyone convicted of aiding or trying to commit suicide in England and Wales.
Last month, doctors wrote to Sajid Javid, Health Secretary, stating that they would not cooperate with any new law regarding assisted dying.
They spelt out their opposition in an open letter signed by 1,689 doctors, nurses, pharmacists and medical students, in which they insisted that ‘the shift from preserving life to taking life was enormous and should not be minimised’.
Last week, a backbench bill to allow assisted dying was approved by the Lords.
The Bill was introduced by Baroness Meacher (crossbencher and chairman of Dignity in Dying), which stipulates that assisted death would only be granted to terminally ill patients who have full mental capacity and are not expected to live beyond six months.
Downing Street suggested that Tory MPs will get a free vote when the Commons comes to an agreement.
Campaigners claim it will give terminally ill people more control over their death and safeguard their loved ones.
Opponents argue that it will force people to end life. The letter stated that “The prohibition of murder is the safeguard.” The protection of the vulnerable is the current law.
“Any change would endanger society’s ability safeguard vulnerable patients against abuse.
“It would undermine trust the public places into physicians, and it could send a clear signal to our frail elderly and disabled patients about how much society values them.”
Faith leaders also expressed their ‘profound concern’. Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, Roman Catholic Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop Justin Welby, and Roman Catholic Cardinal Justin Welby have all written to Mr Javid warning him that the safeguards are inadequate.